Coordinator, Child Protection

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION (BACKGROUND)

International Medical Corps, which has a history of providing healthcare services and training in Ukraine that dates back to 1999, is expanding its activities in the country and the surrounding region in response to the war there.

The situation throughout Ukraine is deteriorating rapidly as the conflict intensifies, prompting a sharp increase in humanitarian needs as access to essential services and supplies are disrupted and more and more people flee their homes. In addition, millions of Ukrainians have fled to neighboring countries, including Moldova, Poland and Romania, increasing pressure on host governments as they work to provide shelter and essential services to the new arrivals.

Our response activities will include operation of mobile medical teams and providing emergency and primary health services, mental health and psychosocial support, gender-based violence services, child protection, nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene. If requested, we also are prepared to deploy our Emergency Medical Team and mobile health facility to provide emergency and primary healthcare wherever it is needed.

The position is based in Warsaw, Poland.

Candidates will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Measles and any other mandatory vaccine requirement (country dependent) prior to deployment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable law. Applicants should be aware that for certain positions involving emergency deployments, accommodations that involve remaining unvaccinated against COVID-19 may not be deemed reasonable. International Medical Corps will engage in the interactive process on an individualized basis in light of each particular role.

JOB DESCRIPTION *

JOB SUMMARY:

International Medical Corps provides community-based child protection services to vulnerable populations, requiring a strategic and comprehensive approach to addressing child protection concerns.

The Coordinator, Child Protection is responsible for oversight of multiple child protection programs, or a large program with multiple sites of operation. This role includes strategic planning, technical leadership, capacity building, support and supervision of staff, senior internal and external coordination and representation, proposal development and reporting.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation:

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Planning

• Provide strategic direction and undertake analysis of child protection trends, gaps in services, and IMC’s capacities to guide IMC’s programming in country
• Contribute to national and inter-agency strategies
• Lead child protection assessments as required, maximizing available sources of information and opportunities for coordination, and ensuring compliance with safety and ethical standards
• Identify and build strategic partnerships with national and local partners
• Ensure that programs are driven by the needs of children and youth and planned with community stakeholders
• Identify appropriate locations and orientation for services
• Develop concept notes/proposals/appeals as needed

Implementation and Capacity Building

• Work closely with the global Child Protection Advisor, country level senior management, and program team to achieve program goals
• Ensure adherence to IMC’s Child Protection Minimum Standards, as well as relevant inter-agency guidelines and standards
• Oversee program interventions, including the establishment and delivery of focused child protection response services
• Build capacity of program staff/partners in relevant technical areas to deliver services and lead interventions
• Organize/support/facilitate technical trainings as needed, including Child Protection Case Management, Child Protection Minimum Standards, Child Protection SOPs and Referral Pathways, Caring for Child Survivors of Sexual Abuse, Unaccompanied and Separated Children, Best interest Procedures
• Establish and monitor supervision and support systems for child protection case management services
• Establish and maintain appropriate systems for information management, including implementation and monitoring of PRIMERO/CPIMS+ (Child Protection Information Management System) in appropriate contexts
• Ensure effective community participation throughout implementation
• Oversee appropriate prevention and awareness-raising/behavior change strategies
• Conduct regular program monitoring and quality assurance and apply learning for continuous improvement of interventions
• Produce regular program reports, on time and with accurate data

Senior Coordination, Representation and Advocacy

• Coordinate with other service providers to ensure holistic support for children, including participation in strengthening child protection SOPs and referral pathways
• Represent IMC’s child protection programming in relevant coordination meetings and with a range of stakeholders
• Contribute to inter-agency efforts to strengthen child protection prevention and response through active participation in coordination mechanisms and promotion of sector principles, standards, and guidelines
• Coordinate with, and build capacity of, other sectors as possible to ensure integration of child protection concerns into various services and broader humanitarian response
• Advocate as necessary with relevant authorities, humanitarian actors, donors, and other stakeholders

Human Resources Management

• Select and orient program staff/volunteers/partners for effective implementation
• Support, coach and supervise staff to build capacity and strengthen quality of interventions.
• Develop support strategies for staff, foster teambuilding, and introduce principles of self-care
• Provide supportive and constructive feedback, and conduct regular performance appraisals

Security and Conduct

• Ensure compliance with security protocols and policies
• Consider security implications of programs, reviewing plans with teams and appropriate stakeholders
• Foster a safe and supportive working environment for all child protection staff/volunteers/partners
• Exemplify core principles of child protection programming, including the child’s survival and development, best interests of the child, non-discrimination, children’s participation
• Contribute to the positive image and overall credibility of the program and organization, notably through adherence to the Code of Conduct and Ethics, including compliance with anti-harassment, safeguarding and PSEA policies

Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily all inclusive.

Code of Conduct As applicable to this position, an individual must promote and encourage a culture of compliance and ethics throughout the organization and maintain a clear understanding of International Medical Corps’ and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards. Staff are also responsible for preventing violations to our Code of Conduct and Ethics, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any violations to the Code of Conduct and Ethics or Safeguarding Policy, you have an obligation to report.

If this is a supervisory position, one must set an example of ethical behavior through one’s own conduct and oversight of the work of others; ensure that those who report to you have sufficient knowledge and resources to follow the standards outlined in the Code of Conduct & Ethics; monitor compliance of the people you supervise; enforce the Code of Conduct & Ethics and International Medical Corps’ policies, including the Safeguarding Policy and the Protection from Harassment, Bullying and Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Policy, consistently and fairly; support employees who in good faith raise questions or concerns.

Safeguarding It is all staff shared responsibility and obligation to safeguard and protect populations with whom we work, including adults who may be particularly vulnerable and children. This includes safeguarding from the following conduct by our staff or partners: sexual exploitation and abuse; exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children, adults at risk, or LGBTI individuals; and any form of trafficking in persons.

Equal Opportunities International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.

JOB REQUIREMENTS *

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Typically, a 4-year university degree in Social Work, Psychology, or another related field. Advanced degree preferred. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
• Typically, 8+ years professional child protection experience, of which 5 years in humanitarian sector in emergency and/or in refugee settings, including field experience in case management.
• Knowledge and experience of child protection case management and psychosocial programming in the humanitarian context
• Relevant regional experience preferred • Demonstrated application of child protection core competencies and commitment to core principles of child protection programming
• Experience with humanitarian architecture and knowledge of mandates/roles of donors, UN agencies and other NGO
• Strong knowledge of standards and guidelines for child protection programming, coordination and data management • Facilitation experience required
• Supervisory experience required
• Experience working with local partners and community mobilization preferred
• Profound cross-cultural awareness
• Ability to exercise sound judgement, remain flexible and apply experience and guidance to evolving challenges
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written and ability to communicate in English and capacity to write clear and concise reports in English
• Computer literacy, including Microsoft Word and Excel

ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL OR LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Misconduct Disclosure Scheme

All offers of employment at International Medical Corps are subject to satisfactory references and background checks. International Medical Corps participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme from the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response (SCHR). In accordance with this, we will request information from an applicant’s previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.