Job Description

Plan International Sierra Leone

Job Announcement (1 position for nationals only)

10-05-2024 Child Protection and Safeguarding Specialist

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion, and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.

We strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood, and we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at the local and national levels using our reach, experience, and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years and are now active in over 80 countries.

Plan International is registered in (country) and started operations in Sierra Leone in 1976. Plan is one of the largest INGOs in the country. Plan has about 100 staff with offices located in Moyamba, Port Loko, and Freetown. Plan International Sierra Leone has been working with girls, young people, communities, and the government to raise awareness about the importance of children’s rights. 

We are currently seeking to recruit:

Title:              Child Protection and Safeguarding Specialist

Grade:           Level 16

Location:        Country Office

Reports to:     Head of Programmes Development and Quality

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION

To lead and provide technical expertise in the design and management of both child protection (70%) and safeguarding (30%) programmes using child centered community development and influencing approach.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, Plan International strives for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We recognize that the abuse and exploitation of children and young people occur throughout the world and in all societies and includes physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect.

Plan International is fully committed to providing a safe, protective, and supportive environment for all children and young people and intend that their welfare will at all times be the paramount consideration. This is fully reflected in our organizational Values and Behaviors.

We hold ourselves to account, through our Child and Youth Safeguarding Policy (CYSP) Say Yes! to Keeping Children and Young People Safe, in making sure that whatever we do or however we or those associated with us behave, we do no harm to children and young people. 

Therefore, the role of the Child Protection and Safeguarding Specialist focuses on Child Protection issues within the nation and globally. The role also provides coordination of Safeguarding that ensures our organization including our interventions and people are of no harm to children and young people.  

The role ensures the design/adapt tools, guidance and procedures and provide expert advice and support which ensures children and young people in the community and who engage with the organisation are protected from all abuse and do so in a manner that is safe for them. In addition, the role ensures Plan International Sierra Leone attains and maintains its standards on safeguarding children and young people, ensuring they are meaningfully engaged and that no child or young person comes to harm through their association with the organisation. 

DIMENSIONS OF ROLE

• Provides technical and professional advice and support to Child and Youth Safeguarding Focal Points within Plan International Sierra Leone, empowering them to take full ownership of their role and strengthen the implementation of the policy and procedures within their departments and Programs. Meets with safeguarding focal points on a monthly basis to discuss progress, gaps and proffer solutions to problems and submit report to Head of Programme Quality and Development. 
• Provides technical support, input and/or implementation of safeguarding for specific Country/ regional level tasks as delegated by the Regional Child and Youth Safeguarding Technical Advisor (Country/Regional level tasks may be Safeguarding in -Emergency Response, Engagement, Case Management, Programming, and Sponsorship for example). 
• Designs, and develops initiatives for a robust child and youth safeguarding framework across Plan International Sierra Leone. This will include the adaptation and socialization of child protection and safeguarding toolkits and training materials. Leads and promotes a culture commitment to attain the Plan International Standards on keeping children and young people safe, ensuring it remains alive, and current and reflects emerging risks in the sector. 
• Carries out investigations into concerns or reported incidents or provides distance or onsite support on case management and case review. 
• Actively facilitates and promotes collaboration, engagement, communication, teamwork, learning, and sharing on safeguarding safe and meaningful engagement at the National level. Proactively works with members of National and Local level Child protection and youth Safeguarding networks to ensure the safe and meaningful engagement of children and young people. 
• Supports resource mobilization efforts by providing valid input to proposal development. 
• Execute other tasks at the request of the Supervisor or the CD within the child protection and safeguarding sector. 

ACCOUNTABILITIES

To ensure that Plan International Sierra Leone is well supported in meeting its commitment to keeping children, and young people safe with initiatives, confidence and courage, upholding high standards in providing safe and supportive environments which are responsive to the needs of all children, young people, girls and boys benefitting from, and engaging with us as well as protecting the reputation of the organisation. 

Specific accountabilities are: 

Programme development & quality management 

• Develop and manage the implementation of the child protection and participation program component of the country strategy to achieve the set objectives in a quality and timely manner to support the fulfillment of the rights of the child. 

• Provides technical support to Programme Implementation and Influencing Ares (PIIAs) in the implementation of all rights of children (ROC) related programme activities. 
• Facilitates context analysis, baseline studies, monitoring, and evaluation of ROC activities in the PIIAs to identify current situations, and future impacts and guide implementation. 
• Conduct regular visits to the PIIAs to provide technical guidance to staff for effective implementation and management of all ROC-related programme activities. 
• Ensures Gender is mainstreamed in all ROC related program interventions and maintains gender sensitivity towards staff and Plan associates to avoid gender discrimination. 
• Ensures Child Protection is mainstreamed in all ROC-related program/projects to meet the Country’s Strategic goals. 
• Prepares and submits quarterly work plans detailing tasks (including monitoring plans) to be undertaken and indicators of performance and prepares progress reports for work implementation. 
• Participates in regular Technical Support Team meetings to discuss work progress and develop appropriate strategies to ensure the attainment of project objectives. 
• Strengthen keeping children and young people safe and protected by ensuring mainstreaming of child protection and safeguarding in all programmes and initiatives 
• Fulfills Plan’s Child Protection Policy at all times to protect children from all forms of abuse 

Training and Human resource development 

• Provides technical support in building the capacity of CBOs to enhance their capacity and improve their performance.  
• Develops training programs, and facilitates training of staff, partners, and project communities to improve the delivery of child protection-sensitive programs/projects. 
• Initiate/support/contribute to the design, development, and/or delivery of training on keeping children and Young People safe and protected for various modalities (self-directed, online, face-to-face) and for various audiences (staff, managers, partners, children) to ensure high levels of understanding and awareness on the organisation’s commitment to and framework for keeping children and young people safe, including reporting and responding to concerns.

Resource mobilization, partnerships, and knowledge management  

• Liaises with the Grants department in sourcing adequate funds both internally and externally for the implementation of ROC activities as outlined in the Country Strategy. 
• Writes and submits Child Rights and Protection write-ups for publication to share with internal and external audiences periodically 
• Develop cost-effective and sustainable solutions and materials to enhance awareness, understanding, and implementation of the organisations commitment to keep children safe and deliver on its current operational plan.
•  Participates in, and contributes to regional, sub-regional, and national networks and alliances on partnership development and other ROC initiatives in the light of the CCCD approach. 
• Develops/initiates and supports partnerships with research institutes to improve program activities. 
• Ensure our partnerships embed and embrace principles of keeping children and young people safe and protected. 
• Facilitates building of partnerships, networks coalitions, and alliances with other stakeholders to participate in and support collaborative efforts in addressing child rights issues/violations. 

Advisory support for the Country Leadership Team (CLT) and dealing with problems 

• Ensuring that the Country Director is made aware of potential and emerging risks /issues that could impact the organisation’s commitment to keeping children and young people safe and protected particularly as they pertain to focus areas outlined above 
• Support Child and Youth Safeguarding focal points to identify, manage, and monitor risks to keeping children and young people safe and protected. 
• Provide high-quality technical support and advice on the implementation and application of child protection and safeguarding principles and practices. 
• Lead Country office or Partner reviews in consultation with CLT – review of the safeguarding environment and policy implementation of the country office or partner organization, in all cases, there would be a requirement to identify what went wrong, gaps to be addressed, and implications for management. 
• Ensure accountable and engaged leadership in keeping children, young people, girls, and boys safe and protected. 
• Performs any other duties that may be assigned to support the achievement of organizational goals. 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Maintains contact with the Country Leadership Team 

• Maintains contact with other Plan Sierra Leone Technical Advisors / Specialist
• Maintains contact with Head of Programme Implementation/Project Coordinators/Managers 
• Maintains contact with Head of Programme Development  and Quality
• Maintains contact with Business Development Manager and Partnerships Manager  
• Maintains contact with People and Culture Manager/Specialist 
• Maintains high contact with Safeguarding Focal Points 
• Maintains high contact with Child and Youth Safeguarding Advisors in other COs, RH and GH 
• Maintains medium contact with the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in charge of Children 
• Maintains high contact with staff working on child rights and protection program activities to provide support for understanding and implementation of child rights and protection-related activities 
• Maintains high contact with external stakeholders on CP 

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

Essential 

Qualification and Experience: 

• A University degree in Child Psychology, Social Science, Law, or equivalent 
• At least 5 years’ experience in a child protection-related field of practice 
• Knowledgeable in the UNCRC and Child Protection Policy and practices in Sierra Leone. 
• Expertise and substantial experience in safeguarding child rights in a development setting. 
• Knowledge and understanding of safe and meaningful participation and engagement of children and young people and a deep understanding of safeguarding and protection issues that may arise. 
• Expertise, technical knowledge, and substantial experience in responding to issues, breaches, investigation and case management. 
• Experience in providing advice and developing and delivering training on keeping children and young people safe on a diverse range of issues and to a diverse audience 
• Understanding of safeguarding standards within the sector (e.g. Keeping Children Safe Coalition standards). 
• Excellent conceptual understanding of the organisational risks associated with keeping children and young people safe and protected. 
• Knowledge of human rights, child rights, inclusion, and gender equality.
•  Knowledge and/or experience of child and Youth Safeguarding programming and/or child protection in emergency interventions is a significant bonus. 
• Knowledge and use of different learning modalities to design and deliver blended learning techniques. 
• Knowledge of risk assessment approaches. 

 Desirable

• Excellent ability to influence, build strong relationships, and inspire people at all levels. 
• Highly effective at using skills in the application of procedural, briefing, and training materials. 
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills with excellent attention to detail. 
• Training, facilitation, and clear communication skills. 
• Ability to think and work under pressure. 
• Ability to challenge behavior/attitudes in a non-confrontational evidence-based manner. 
• Self-motivated and efficient with the ability to prioritize tasks. 
• Advanced Excel and computer skills. 
• At least 5 years of experience in an international organization similar to Plan would be an added advantage. 
• Knowledge of local dialects (E.g. Mende, Temne, Krio, etc.)

Skills 

• Communicates clearly and effectively (written and oral). 
• Analytical skills 
• Excellent report-writing skills 
• Strong team-building and motivational skills. 
• Strong negotiating, facilitating, and influencing skills. 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet. 

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 

Typical office environment with 30% travel in program areas and abroad 

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN 

High level: Frequent interaction with children 

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

We are open and accountable

We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organisation by being open, honest, and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others, while doing what we say we will do.

We strive for lasting impact

We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.

We work well together

We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organisation, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities, and our partners.

We are inclusive and empowering

We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge inequality in our programmes and our workplace. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.

Applications:

The last date for submission of the Application (CV and cover letter) is: 24nd May 2024 by 5:00 pm

Your application should include: 
·         A cover letter
·         A comprehensive CV including details of two referees, one of whom should be your current of most recent supervisor

  Send applications to the below link: Sierra-Leone.Recruitment@plan-international.org

Only short-listed candidates shall be contacted. References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People’s Policy. 

Plan International follows an equal opportunity policy and actively encourages diversity welcoming applications from all especially women and people living with disability.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early