Child Protection Programme Manager

Save the Children UK
Closing date: 25 Oct 2009
Location: Democratic Republic of the Congo (the) - Beni

Job Purpose

The post-holder is responsible for the coordination of SC (UK)’s child protection activities in Beni –Grand Nord area and the management of SC (UK) protection staff. It is essential that the postholder is able to develop and articulate SC (UK)’s position in child protection; effectively manage a programme and budget; and ensure that best practices are applied in our programme work.

At present programmes include ensuring protective environments for conflict affected children, particularly the reintegration of girls and Children Associated with Armed Forces and Groups and the reunification of unaccompanied children. Approaches emphasise community based protection, the importance of child participation, and the development of community based systems for children’s protection. There is also a strong education and health-nutrition programme in the Grand Nord, and the programme manager will be expected to work with colleagues to develop a holistic approach to children’s well being.

Key accountabilities

Leadership, team management and capacity Building
- Lead, manage and motivate the programme teams in Beni-Grand Nord
- Support protection team to develop clear objectives and regularly give meaningful feedback on their performance
- Ensure the capacity development of the child protection team through regular support, coaching and specified training as required
- Particularly support the managerial capacity of Senior Field Officers in the team
- Support teams to meaningfully develop capacity building support to partners in Beni- Grand Nord

Programme Management
- Communicate project goals, objectives and methodologies to programme staff effectively, and ensure that they are confident in communicating this to third parties projects
- Launch and close projects effectively through whole team workshops, involving logistics, administration and finance, as well as project teams
- Ensure that projects are launched with partners, communities and local leaders and state officials.
- Liaise on a daily, weekly and monthly basis with finance, logistics, administration to guarantee the smooth running of programmes
- Ensure that programme activities are timely and take place in strict compliance with donor agreements
- Comply with delegated budget holder responsibilities, including ensuring mapping of budgets, phasing and strict following of monthly budget follow ups
- Produce high quality, timely reports (including weekly sitreps) as required for internal and external use

Programme development
- Participate in the continuous analysis of the situation of rights of children in Beni –Grand Nord identifying key issues for children
- Work with colleagues from education and other sectors to ensure regular coordination at strategic and programmatic level, developing programmatic synergy within the Eastern Region
- Together with other team members, plan new projects relating to child protection and develop proposals for presentation to donors, in compliance with the Protection Thematic Programme Plan (TPP)
- Coordinate with the National Child Protection Coordinator and DDR coordinator to identify and develop strategies to increase the impact of Save the Children’s Programmes
- Develop emergency preparedness plans with the project team and it coordination the Field Manager, Education and Health programmes, as well as support services.
- Develop strategies to adapt programmes as necessary in response to new contextual developments, particularly emergency contexts.
- Ensure recognized international best practices and SC (UK) policies are applied in our work with children
- Ensure the principles of child protection, gender equity, inclusion and diversity are promoted and shared with the child protection team in Beni-Grand Nord
- Strive to meet SC (UK) quality standards in our work with child care partners

Monitoring and Evaluation
- Ensure clear plans in place for monitoring and evaluating project activities in relation to the objectives and that lessons learnt are shared and capitalized on
- Ensure that projects are monitored regularly, and that data is collected on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis
- Regularly visit project sites, spending at least one week a month in Lubero.
- Collect regular data for monitoring the TPP

Representation and advocacy
- Represent SC (UK) Locally to donors, partners, UN agencies, international organizations, and local authorities
- Develop SC(UK)’s networking and role in working groups on child protection, including DDR groups, monitoring SCR 1612, DDR coordination and the Protection Cluster, and ensure that learning is shared
- Ensure that key information is communicated to Child Protection Actors in Goma
- Identify and develop key advocacy messages around protection in the Grand Nord, and ensure that these are communicated and implemented.

Other
- Ensure full implementation of SC (UK)’s child protection policy
- Deputise for the Field Manager, Beni-Grand Nord , if required
- Contribute to the development of optimal security management procedures and practices and ensure an adherence to the local security guidelines

Person specification

Essential
- Technical competence in - and sound theoretical understanding of - child protection issues in complex emergencies, particularly DDR
- Strong team management and capacity-building skills and experience
- Strong leadership and motivating skills
- Ability to represent SC UK and maintain good relations at a regional level with donors, UN organisations, international and national NGOs and local authorities
- Substantial NGO working experience in complex emergency situations
- Skills and experience in project/programme planning, monitoring, review and evaluation.
- Budget development and financial monitoring skills
- Experience of managing multiple grants
- Experience and understanding of advocacy work
- Strong communication, interpersonal, representation and negotiation skills
- Commitment to SC UK’s Child Protection Policy
- Fluency in written and spoken French, plus good written and spoken English
- Commitment to and understanding of SC UK's aims, values and principles
- Training skills in child protection
- Resilience and self-reliance. Willingness to work and travel in difficult environments

Desirable
- Degree in social studies, education or equivalent
- Knowledge and particular interest in DRC, particularly the east of the country
- Experience in Child DDR
- Understanding of SGBV and HIV AIDS
How to apply
To apply, please visit our website : http://www.savethechildren.org.uk