Child Protection Assistants (Maiduguri) at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) - 2 Openings

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries. The IRC is committed to bold leadership, innovation and creative partnerships. Active in child protection, public health, education, livelihoods, women's empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Child Protection Assistant

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Slot: 2 Openings

Background

• Adolescent girls and boys are gravely underserved in humanitarian emergencies, particularly during the acute phase of response. They are often inserted into programming designed for younger children or into adult programming, where their age-specific needs are not understood or met.
• The Adolescent Protection Assistants will act as focal points for adolescent girls within Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE and adolescent girls and boys within Child Protection programming in Borno State.
• The Child Protection Assistant will work within a Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) or Child Protection response team based in safe spaces providing case management and psychosocial support services.
• Under the supervision of experienced Case Management Officers, the Adolescent Protection Assistants will deliver the IRC’s Supporting Adolescents and their Families in Emergencies (SAFE) approach funded by USAID/OFDA.
• The Assistants will also facilitate skills building sessions with female and male caregivers of adolescent girls and boys. This approach is in a field testing phase and closely monitoring and documenting the approach is a key priority for this role.
• The Assistants will be active participants in identifying, documenting and sharing learning from this approach which be systematically gathered to inform a global resource toolkit for SA.

Key Responsibilities
The Adolescent Protection Assistant will work within a WPE or Child Protection response team based in safe spaces providing case management and psychosocial support services. Within this broader response team the Adolescent Protection Assistant will be required to:

• Work as part of a SAFE team to generate learning on implementing the SAFE approach
• Work as part of a Child Protection and WPE team in a safe space to provide support to adolescent girls or boys as part of broader response services
• Participate in an initial SAFE approach training and engage in ongoing skills building using SAFE learning materials with supervisor
• With support from supervisors, mentor and coach the community volunteer responsible for co-facilitating sessions with adolescent girls or boys
• Lead community engagement activities to introduce SAFE activities to female and male community leaders and caregivers
• Conduct initial assessments to identify the risks and needs of adolescent girls and boys
• Work closely with other project staff to identify adolescent girls, adolescent boys, and female and male caregivers to participate in SAFE learning activities
• Act as lead facilitator to deliver sessions twice a week for adolescent girls or boys together with a community volunteer facilitator
• Facilitate sessions once a week for female or male caregivers
• Provide psychological first aid and support to adolescent girls or boys who disclose experiences of violence and support referral to access either child protection or WPE response services
• Facilitate feedback meetings with adolescent girls and boys, female and male community stakeholders and caregivers and share feedback with supervisor
• Complete weekly reports on project activities, including documenting feedback from participants of SAFE sessions and proactively sharing back lessons learned whilst facilitating the curricula
• Participate in debriefing sessions with supervisors and share reflections, lessons learned and recommendations to strengthen SAFE program approach.

Requirements, Skills and Experience
Candidates are desired who have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Education, Economic, any other Human Development related field or equivalent of experience preferred
• At least two years’ experience working to support children, adolescent girl and boys, women or parents and caregivers
• Experience with facilitation of group work with relevant populations
• A high level of motivation to assist adolescent girls and boys affected by humanitarian crisis
• A commitment to child protection and gender equality
• A learning attitude and willingness to increase skills and knowledge in the protection of adolescent girls and boys
• Experience as an active participate of social groups, with an understanding of group dynamics and processes.
• Capacity building, facilitation or training experience
• The ability to adapt and work under pressure and strong interpersonal skills
• Fluency in English and local languages
• Basic competency in computer skills

Working Environment:

• Security level orange. The situation in Maiduguri and Konduga- is relatively calm at the moment but remains tense and unpredictable; concerns include criminality. There is active conflict in many parts of the country and a possibility for further expansion of the conflict and violence into other areas and other states.
• People from Borno are kindly encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Monthly salary,
• Health Insurance Coverage for Family,
• Pension,
• Creche Facilities available for Women with babies under 24 Months.

Application Closing Date
17th October, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications addressed to the "Country Director, IRC" via: [email protected]
Or
Hand delivered application should be sent only to the IRC field office in Maiduguri.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.