Senior Technical Officer – Child Protection at Family Health International (FHI 360)

Family Health International (FHI 360) is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology – creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Technical Officer – Child Protection

Requisition: 2022200804
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Job type: Full time

Job Description

• The Senior Technical Officer Protection – Child Protection provides technical and programmatic leadership for child protection, PSS and SHLs subsector within the Protection Sector to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables in terms of outputs, outcomes, and impact to contribute to the attainment of the IHANN IV project’s sub-purpose for protection, which is the improvement of the overall well-being of vulnerable individuals through increased access to integrated GBV, PSS and child protection services.
• Under the direct supervision of the Protection Coordinator, the STO-Protection CP will lead the effective delivery of the child protection commitment including PSS and SHL in target locations namely Bama (Bama town and Banki), Mobbar (Damasak) and Ngala LGAs, Borno State. He/she will be responsible for the planning, implementation and monitoring of case management and PSS, CP prevention activities at community relevel as well as Safe Healing and Learning Spaces activities.
• Responsibilities also include providing technical oversight for development, designing, planning, implementation, and capacity-building of CP/SHL sub-sector staff and relevant stakeholders, regular monitoring, and supervision missions to different locations, developing draft reports, concept notes as well as project proposals.

Key Duties and Responsibilities
With the support and under the direct supervision of the Protection Coordinator, the Senior Technical Officer- Protection CP is responsible for the following tasks:

Program implementation:

• Support the planning, design and updating of the situation analysis for the child protection project to set program priorities, strategies, and design and implementation plans. Keep abreast of development trends to enhance program management, efficiency, and delivery.
• In accordance with the child protection proposal and the detailed implementation plan, oversee the implementation of all child protection activities both prevention and response.
• Provide senior technical and management leadership to the delivery of a comprehensive child protection package including psychosocial support and SHL.
• Under the leadership of the Protection Coordinator, update the detailed implementation plan for CP sub-sector, including PSS/SHL.
• In coordination with the Protection Coordinator and home office technical advisor, adapt Child Protection training modules, IEC materials and other project materials required for the implementation of quality Child Protection activities.
• In collaboration with the Protection Coordinator, review submitted case files and ensure that corrective measures are taken.
• Under the leadership of the Protection Coordinator, coordinate with the department of social affairs at the LGA level and at State level for support to children associated with armed groups and children in need of alternative care placement.
• Lead the development of a selection criteria for children to be enrolled in SEL classes.
• Build the capacity of   CP field staff (ATOs-CP and community volunteers) through trainings, workshops, coaching, knowledge checklist and mentoring.
• Train staff on SHLS methodology and provide day to day technical support to staff to ensure quality delivery of SEL classes and other activities at the SHLS.
• Support field-based staff to recruit and train SHLS facilitators and conduct mentoring sessions for the facilitators.
• Lead the development of SHLS activity schedules and support the field staff to customize the activity schedule considering security, access and other variables that may affect the schedule.
• Support the ATO SHL in the development of games and activities that promote the cognitive and social development of children.
• In coordination with the Protection Coordinator, adapt key messages in SEL to the local context ensuring that they meet the social and psychological needs of displaced children. Where necessary support translation of specific sessions into Hausa.
• Ensure Child Protection minimum standards in humanitarian action, Best Interest Procedures Guidelines and other core technical tools are well understood, properly used and observed.
• Actively engage in conducting needs assessments for program implementation in new areas.
• Actively collaborate with GBV sub-sector and other IHANN IV sectors (Health, WASH and Nutrition) to seek program synergies and opportunities for innovative integration and to ensure comprehensive assistance to the crisis-affected populations.
• Contribute to the development of concept notes and new proposals, including preparation of narrative and budgets.
• Ensure timely and quality preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual progress and donor reports for CP/SHL sub-sector.
• Ensure CP is mainstreamed in all the sectors and CP cases are properly referred and responded to.
• Maintain flexibility to perform other job -related duties as requested by the Supervisor.

Supportive supervision:

• In collaboration with the Protection Coordinator, develop supervision plans for the project staff based in the field.
• Conduct monthly field visits to carry out technical supportive supervision and provide with all necessary technical coaching and guidance for CP/SHL field staff.
• Submit field visit reports with clear action plans to improve effectiveness of program implementation to Protection Coordinator.
• In coordination with the M & E team, conduct quarterly data quality audits.

Human resource and administration:

• Ensure technical supervision to ATOs-Protection CP/SHL and build positive and collaborative working relationships in line with FHI 360’s policies.
• Oversee capacity building activities for ATOs-Protection CP/SHL and community volunteers.
• Participate in the recruitment process as occasion demands
• Collaborate with the Protection Coordinator and HR to ensure CP/SHL field staff are well versed on the FHI 360 Code of Conduct, accountability, respectful dialogue with communities and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).

Reporting:

• Share with the Protection Coordinator key updates on CP/SHL sub-sector for IHANN IV bi-weekly meetings.
• Compile sub-sector monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports and submit to the Protection Coordinator for review.
• Work closely with the M&E team to verify and validate CP/SHL data for quality reporting.
• Input data into the CPIMS each monthly and submit to the Protection Coordinator for verification.

Coordination:

• In the absence of the Protection Coordinator, represent FHI 360 in the CP sub sector working group, CP Case management working group as well as MHPSS working group.
• Support the compilation of CP/SHL sub sector reporting – 5Ws, CPIMS and other related reporting as required by the sub sector.
• Liaise with relevant partners, local authorities, and communities whenever it serves the objectives of the project in protection/GBV.
• Financial management and operational support
• Develop draft financial pipelines monthly and submit to the Protection Coordinator for review.
• Ensure sub-sector planned activities are in line with the budget and are implemented in a timely manner.
• Actively participate in the Protection Sector budget revision.
• In collaboration with the Protection Coordinator, develop procurement plans for new projects / areas of project implementation.
• Develop sector purchase requests as per the approved procurement plans and submit to logistics for processing.
• Develop project material distribution plans and follow-up with logistics to ensure timely delivery of materials to the field sites.

Academic Qualifications and work Experience

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or similar fields with at least 7 years relevant experience in Child Protection programming in emergencies or humanitarian settings, including PSS and SHL or
• BA / BS in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or related fields with 7-9 years relevant experience in Child protection programming in emergencies or humanitarian settings, including case management, PSS and SHL.
• Familiarity with Nigerian law enforcement systems and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

• Knowledge and experience working on child protection in in emergencies (CPiE)
• Strong skills in child protection program mining (emergency recovery, and development, specifically prevention and response to family separation, case management approaches), understanding of Best Interest Procedures and community-based protection approaches.
• Proven understanding and experience applying Child protection guiding principles and approaches as well as implementing the CP minimum standards within projects.
• Proven advocacy skills and experience with engagement on protection issues within the humanitarian infrastructure; has knowledge of and experience in engaging the cluster system in IDP camps or coordination mechanisms in refugee camps.
• Experience conducting CP/PSS trainings, including individual case management.
• Experience implementing SHL program for adults and children or other participatory learning approaches.
• Experience using the CP Information Management System (CPIMS).
• Knowledge and experience in community-based protection mechanisms, especially those related to Child protection.
• Experience in project cycle management, including proposal writing, budget management, and donor reporting.
• Solid planning, organizational and reporting skills.
• Excellent computer and IT skills, and strong protection data management skills.
• Strong oral and writing communication skills.
• Excellent team building and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability for rapid analysis of complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic learning and priorities into operational strategies.
• Multitask with ability to meet tight deadlines.
• High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English & Hausa communication.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.