role PURPOSE

Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice. We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives.  We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years and are now active in more than 70 countries. 

Plan International PI is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice. Plan actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. PI, support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. PI place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind. Likewise, the organization have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years and are now active in more than 70 countries around the globe.

Plan International Sudan aims to respond effectively, rapidly, and at significant scale to the core humanitarian needs of children and their families affected by the conflict between the armed forces in Sudan. Specifically, Plan International Sudan aims to minimize disruption to formal and non-formal education systems and to restore formal education services; strengthen the proactive environment for children and their families including age and gender appropriate services during and after disasters; create opportunities for and build capacity of young people affected by the armed conflict to generate income and to improve their life skills; and to become recognized actor in both in linking related community based interventions to national coordination and interagency mechanisms where Plan International Sudan will gradually take on leadership functions.

Dimensions of the Role

The Child Protection Officer will oversee the case management, psychosocial and community-based child protection initiatives. Specifically, ensure children harmed or at risk of being harmed are identified and receive individual case management support by ensuring the use of the standardized case management tools, and case management principles are adhered to by the case workers and social workers. Provide training and technical support to the case workers/social workers, PSS volunteers and CBCPCs in consultation with the Project Manager or Project Coordinator and Area CPiE Coordinator. Coordinate with other child protection agencies on case management and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support services.

Accountabilities

Case management

• Ensure that solid case management, referral and information management systems are in place for appropriate identification, responses and follow-up for children harmed or at risk of being harmed
• Where in existence, oversee the activities of the Adolescent Girls Safe Spaces (AGSS) which provide support to child survivors of SGBV, PSS and recreational activities, life skills and information sessions. This includes supervision of the AGSS Coordinator and Social workers.
• Review the follow up of cases, and ensure all cases are managed within acceptable timelines.
• Organise weekly case management conferences/ case review with all case workers and social workers to reflect case progress and to accommodate the lessons learned and improve case management system accordingly.
• Supervise and support the case workers or social workers in family visits if necessary
• Support the Area CPiE Coordinator in the ongoing capacity building of case workers including ensuing that case workers respect confidentiality and follow ethical guidelines
• Ensure the CPIMS+ is set up, regularly updated, analyse for trends in the caseload, and efficiently and confidentially managed in collaboration with the social workers and Case workers.
• Ensure that files, registers and computer databases are used in an appropriate and correct manner and ensure case workers adhere to proper documentation and data protection protocols.

Community based approaches and Psychosocial support 

• Support the establishment and strengthening of Community Based Child Protection Mechanisms ensuring different representation.
• Conduct trainings of CBCPNs and PSS facilitators on CP prevention and response using agreed methodology with support from Area CPiE Coordinator or the National CPiE Coordinator.
• Support the CBCPNs to conduct awareness sessions for the community, adolescents, children with support from PSS facilitators.
• Engage community-based child protection network members in supporting and monitoring activities including CFS activities, foster families, life skills and parenting skills sessions.
• Design and facilitate community mobilization/sensitization campaigns in collaboration with Community, PSS facilitators, CBCPNs, and children/adolescents. Develop relevant outreach and IEC materials for CBCPNs, youth groups/clubs and CRCs
• Ensure that CBCPNs conduct their monthly meetings and support them to identify, discuss and share trend analysis on child protection concerns.
• Supervise community PSS facilitators/animators in the target locations and ensure that the CFS, life skills and parenting sessions take place with quality.
• Ensure that regular FGDs are held with the adolescents, youth groups, CBCPNs to get feedback on the implementation.
• Support referral of child protection concerns identified in the target locations by notifying the CP Manager or the Case management officer.
• Ensure beneficiaries are informed and regularly reminded about their entitlements from the project, and the confidential complaints feedback mechanisms.

Coordination

• Participate in the coordination meetings including sub-national CP AoR, GBV AoR, case management taskforce working group and the protection cluster as may be designated.
• Ensure close links between case management and our work with community-based child protection mechanisms and CFSs.
• Coordinate with other agencies offering child protection services to children on referral and transfer of cases. This includes providing support to Family Tracing and Reunification activities in collaboration with State Social Welfare.
• Ensure internal referral mechanisms (with other sectors) are in place and cases are appropriately managed and followed up when referred. Link case workers or social workers with service providers to ensure safe referrals to other services such as medical, legal and education/livelihoods interventions.
• Ensure constant and transparent communication and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including community members, community leaders and families

Reporting

• Produce weekly and monthly data for the Project Manager/Project Coordinator and Area CPiE Coordinator to feed into overall program and donor report (information on target beneficiaries must be disaggregated by age and sex)
• Submit regular case management reports and ensure that information is kept up to date (via excel sheet or through the CPIMS+)
• Facilitate, collect and report information regarding the overall situation of child protection risks in the designated location.
• Share information on field-level successes and challenges with the Area CPiE Coordinator. Ensure that major challenges are flagged early and addressed in an appropriate way.

Procurement

Support the preparation of all procurement and administrative documents required for the project. This includes, CFS supplies, case management supplies and CBCPNs working tools.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Skills

• Presentation skills
  1. Negotiation skills 
  2. Analytical and logical skills
• Communication skills
  1. Good command of written and spoken English and Arabic languages.
  2. Good skills in spread sheet and word processing computer application
  3. Good skills in computer information and communication.
  4. Excellent skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
  5. Ability to think creatively to understand including risks associated children.
  6. Strong interpersonal skills to cope up with stress and managing work effectively.
  7. Demonstrated Leadership skills to maintain teamwork and to build capacity of team members.

Knowledge and expertise 

• The post holder is expected to have considerable knowledge of the national and international instruments related to the child rights, child protection minimum standards and safeguarding concepts.
• Substantial experience of working in Child Protection programming in a humanitarian and development context for at least 3-4 years
• Experience working with case files, databases and providing regular documentation
• Strong capacity building/training/coaching/mentoring skills with communities
• Computer knowledge - Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook

Essential

• Bachelor’s Degree in relevant subject, (Law, Social Sciences or other related fields)
• A high level of written and spoken English
• Excellent communication skills
• Proven ability of mentoring, coaching and training on Child Protection related topics.

Desirable

• Understanding and commitment to Plan International values, mission and mandate.
• Proven ability to influence change at an operational and strategic level based on Plan International’s Country Strategy both among staff and implementing partners.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply