CHILD PROTECTION IN EMERGENCIES EXPERT (100% FIELD BASED)

The position is to be filled as soon as possible, with an initial contract duration of one year.

Background
Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) is an international NGO committed to stopping child exploitation globally, the most serious violations of the rights of the child, is the core of Terre des Hommes Netherlands’ work. In line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and International Labour Organization (ILO) standards as laid down in Conventions 138 and 182, our definition covers: child trafficking and unsafe migration; sexual exploitation of children; the worst forms of child labour; and child abuse including violations of the sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) of adolescents and retrogressive cultural practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation. In addition, humanitarian assistance is an integral part of our activities, in particular, child protection and stopping child exploitation in emergency situations. We work a lot with local partners, so we keep a good view of the local problems. Our partners know the culture and know how best to help children who are being exploited. This allows us to better organize our programs.

The emergency on February 24, 2022, after weeks of heightened tensions and escalating conflict in eastern Ukraine, has resulted in major attacks across Ukraine, pushing more than hundreds of thousands of people to move across borders of neighboring countries, including Moldova and Romania. This situation has exponentially increased the protection risks of children, such as traumas, psychological distress, separation from family and friends, not to mention risks of abuse and trafficking.

Terre des Hommes Netherlands and War Child Netherlands have formed a partnership to jointly respond to the Ukrainian crisis in the neighboring countries including Moldova and Romania. Both organizations will work together to support local partners that will be selected in-country, and increase their capacity to design and implement child protection interventions.

Objective

The Child Protection in Emergencies Expert will offer technical support to the local partners in child protection intervention/ services. The Child Protection in Emergencies Expert works under the direct supervision of Terre des Hommes Netherlands Humanitarian Aid Coordinators, and closely works with the partner’s staff in-country.

Key responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and supervision to the local partners on child protection in emergencies (CPiE) elements, minimum standards, child-centred approach, safeguarding etc.

• Contribute to the CPiE programme quality through periodic meetings with partners, programmatic visits, and other monitoring and evaluation activities.

• Contribute to resources mobilization for the Child Protection response, as appropriate. Actively identify technical support requirements, provide training and mentorship to the local implementing partners.

• Follow up on diligence analysis recommendations, and advise on additional CPiE priorities, if needed. Directly and effectively communicate with TdH colleagues as part of conducting comprehensive capacity strengthening.

• Produce timely progress reports, including both quantitative and qualitative information on child protection activities and input into regular situation reports, weekly, monthly and quarterly.

• Provide technical input to proposals, reports and other program documents as needed. Ensure TdH is well represented in the coordination mechanisms and ensure activities are well coordinated with other humanitarian actors.

Others responsibilities

• Ensure strict compliance to TdH´s national and international policies, procedures and practices, including adherence to Do No Harm and child protection.

The responsibilities listed in the job description are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Qualifications

Required

• Technical degree in, psychology, or counselling, or sociology or related field. Minimum of 4 years experience in child protection in emergency contexts such as refugee settings, IDP settings preferably in a conflict setting.
• Technical knowledge in relevant areas: protection, mental health, and psychosocial support, project management, youth engagement and participation is an asset.
• Excellent listening and observation skills, including ability to create trust, support, respect and interact with survivors of all ages, background and diversity.
• Ability to lead, train, supervise, and motivate other staff and local partners in their respective tasks in a professional, respectful and supportive manner.
• Have a positive and professional attitude and ability to work with minimal supervision and in a hardship area.
• Flexibility to work outside of normal working hours when necessary.
• Knowledge of English is a must.
• Capacity-building skills.
• Good computer and IT skills.
• Willingness to deploy in multiple locations.

Desired

• Knowledge of TdH Knowledge of the local context.
• Knowing Moldovan/Romanian is considered an asset.

Competency profile

• Analytical capacity: understand complex issues by logical reasoning, investigation of potential causes.
• Networking: builds relationships and networks that are helpful when realising objectives and utilises informal networks to get things done.
• Striving for excellence: focus on results while ensuring efficiency.
• Integrity: act based on TdH´s mission and values.

Our offer

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with TdH NL terms of employment for technical positions.