Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC re-registered in Sudan after leaving in 2009. The program is in start-up phase, in time for a global call for agencies to rapidly scale up in Sudan against a deteriorating humanitarian and economic situation; there are 9.3m people in need, and the new government that came to power after the ouster of al-Bashir is struggling to enact reforms while still under sanctions and recovering from 30 years of the previous regime. On Nov. 6^th, the Ethiopian government declared a state of emergency in Tigray and on November 9^th refugees began to arrive into East Sudan.  Since  then,  the  movement of  Ethiopians into  Sudan  has  dramatically increased  with  a  daily average  of over 1,800 refugees crossing in to Kassala and Gedaref states. As of 10^th of December, 49,370 people have crossed the border into Sudan, of which an estimated 45% are children. IRC’s Needs Assessment (Nov 2020) highlighted the needs and heightened risk of violence facing women and children, including large numbers of unaccompanied children in inappropriate care arrangements. 

The IRC is launching an integrated humanitarian response in Gedaref State, where a total of 13,271 refugees have already been relocated to Um Rakuba camp. IRC’s emergency programming will focus on integrated Health, WASH, women’s protection and empowerment, and child protection interventions to respond to the urgent protection needs of refugee children and their families.

Job Overview/Summary:

Working in close coordination with the IRC’s Emergency Child Protection Coordinator, the Child Protection Manager will assist in the start-up of child protection programming and interventions in Gedaref State, with a focus on refugees from Ethiopia, including unaccompanied children and children who have experienced or are vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, neglect, and violence. Position objectives:

• To support the timely start-up and implementation of IRC Sudan child protection programming, in line with needs, priorities, and best practices for protecting children and families affected by conflict and displacement
• To oversee the provision of emergency child protection case management for highly vulnerable children and families
• To establish a safe space for children and families, and oversee the delivery of group PSS, Social Emotional Learning, and activities for caregivers within the safe space
• To ensure the participation of children, youth, and caregivers in IRC’s Risk Communication and Community Engagement interventions and client feedback mechanisms
• To ensure monitoring, documentation, and reporting of IRC’s child protection activities

This will be a 6-month contract from December 2020 - May 2021. The candidate must be willing to work in remote locations with limited services and infrastructure, as part of a multi-cultural team. He / she will be expected to be capable of working flexibly, independently, and self-sufficiently, and rapidly adjust to new or unforeseen situations. The candidate must display sensitivity to cultural differences and needs of affected people.

Major Challenges/Difficulties of this role:

• Execution of deliverables within a compressed timeline
• Emergency response start-up environment in new IRC location
• Work in remote locations with limited services and infrastructure

Technical Quality

• Provide technical and management leadership to the emergency Child Protection program in Gedaref State in accordance with best practice and IRC policy.
• 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.
• Ensure that psychosocial support activities are delivered according to technical quality standards and appropriate COVID-19 mitigation measures
• Ensure regular communication with the CP Coordinator and/or Child Protection Technical Unit to integrate appropriate IRC technical and strategic priorities in program development and delivery.
• Proactively identify new or emerging needs, gaps, and opportunities for IRC programming in Sudan to enhance the safety of children and families in their homes and communities

Staff Supervision & Development

• Assist with recruitment and onboarding of frontline CP staff, including emergency case management, PSS/SHLS, and M&E teams.
• Directly supervises 3 CP Officers (Case Management, PSS/SHLS, and M&E) and indirectly 7 frontline CP staff.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Ensure timely completion and submission of monthly timesheets, probations reviews and annual performance reviews.
• Ensure training, support and ongoing capacity building opportunities for staff on technical and project management skills.

Grant Planning & Implementation

• Responsible for the overall achievement of emergency response grant(s) in Gedaref State
• Supports implementation and ensure adherence to grant work plans, spending plans, and monitoring and evaluation plans.
• Work closely and coordinates with IRC supply chain, finance, and grant staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures, including active participation in grant opening/closing and review meetings.

Grant Monitoring & Reporting

• Develop and maintain effective and efficient oversight, support, quality control and reporting systems and processes.
• Ensure regular field monitoring and modifications as required.
• Monitor and consolidate information collected from weekly and staff activity reports
• Ensure high-quality IRC and donor reports on activities, indicators and achievements

• BA or equivalent in social work, human rights, or related degree desired. MA preferred.
• At least 3 years of experience in implementing child protection programs, preferably social work or case management, in humanitarian settings. Experience in start-up programming preferred.
• Experience of working with refugees/IDPs and vulnerable groups of people preferred
• Understanding and sensitivity to the needs of people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures
• Previous experience supervising and managing a team in a cross-cultural setting, and demonstrated experience in capacity building and mentoring of staff
• Good computer skills such as: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Capable of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, coordination function, training and the transfer of technical knowledge
• Personal qualities: Team player, flexible, network-builder, able to handle pressure well
• Fluency in Arabic and English required, working knowledge of relevant local languages desirable

Reporting:

• Regular briefings with Emergency Child Protection Coordinator with updates on activities, challenges and proposed solutions, and planning
• Inputs to weekly CP activity tracker to monitor progress and reach
• Written reports, as requested

Policy compliance – IRC way policies

• Ensure any violations of the IRC Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Code of Conduct are reported to technical coordinator or other member of IRC team. The reporting of violations is an obligation on the part of all IRC employees, including temporary hires and consultants.
• Assist where necessary in undertaking activities that aim to prevent the occurrence of sexual abuse and exploitation of beneficiaries by IRC and other humanitarian workers.

Confidentiality:

• Ensuring confidentiality in the case of disclosures of abuse or violence, and showing respect and sensitivity to community members at all times.
• Ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of IRC acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organization without authority, except in the normal execution of duty.