Child Protection / Case Management Officer

About Innovative Humanitarian Solutions

 IHS is non-profit humanitarian organization working to discover and meet humanitarian needs in ways that build an individual’s personal dignity and worth. IHS works through partnerships with individuals, organizations and government agencies whose desire  is to make a genuine difference in the lives of people at risk. IHS is working with UNHCR, RRS, UNICEF, IOM, BHA/IRC. IHS works in the areas of Child Protection and Youth, Protection Monitoring, NFI, Livelihoods, Emergency Education and WASH in both IDP and refugee programs in Afar, Amhara and Tigray in Ethiopia.

 About the Country Program in Ethiopia

 IHS’s Current Areas of Engagement includes, Protection Monitoring and Monitoring by Presence; Integrated Child Protection; (Case Management, PSS and FTR) (IDP/refugee); CRI/NFI Distribution for IDPs; WASH service (for refugee) and Pre-Primary Education in area of Tigray Refugee Camps, and Tigray IDP Response Program covering areas of Mekelle, Adigrat, Axum and Adwa, Shire, Shiraro, Adi Daero, Endabaguna and Mai-Tsebri. In Amhara as part of the IDP Response Program IHS works in Debrebirhan, Mekeneslam, Dessie and its surrounding area, North Gondar (Debarek, Debat, Alemwach) and Wagehimra area and Afar Refugee Response Program in Serdo and Aysaita.

 Summary of the position

 TheChild Protection / Case management Officer role’s purpose, engagement and delivery are:

 The Child Protection (Case management Officer) is responsible for case management of child protection incidents in the camp. He/she reports to the Child Projection Coordinator and supports supervision of community volunteers including community-level protection structures on a daily basis. S/he will be responsible for providing accurate and timely documentation of activities especially case management of reported child protection incidents and ensuring the project is complying with Donor and IHS’s requirements. She/he will endeavor to comply with case management minimum standards and ensure best coordination with key implementing partners to ensure child protection response is given through a holistic approach.

 Essential job duties

•  Responsible for identifying, screening, and conducting assessments for unaccompanied and separated children and provide an appropriate case management service.
• Prepare and submit case records/ documents for case conferencing/ BID panels.
• Supporting in analysis of case management caseload, assigning cases to case workers, supervision and coaching and raising complex cases to child protection coordinator for support.
• Ensuring close coordination and tracking of children receiving case management including regular follow up as per prioritization and vulnerability criteria
• Provide technical support to Case Management-case workers.
• Develop work plan and oversee the implementation of case management activities including CPIMS activities.
• Conduct necessary capacity building to case workers including information sharing and data protection protocol and report any identified bridge to CP coordinator.
• Responsible for identifying child protection in emergence (CPIE) needs to support case management team.
• Assists the CP Coordinator in overseeing the planning, budgeting, and implementation of CP project CP interventions.
• Establish/strengthen community-based child protection mechanisms to prevent and protect children.
• Identifies community-based childprotection mechanisms, capacity gaps and participates in building their capacity.
• Facilitate and lead community awareness raising and sensitization programs to promote positive values of the society towards children.
• Facilitate and lead the economic empowerment of families and their children.
• Lead and facilitate best interest determination (BID) panel to guarantee best interest of the children.
• Assist establishing/strengthening referral linkages.
• Identify, register, and refer abused and exploited children for child protection services.
• Work as a case management focal person at camp level.
• Promote and improve quality service delivery to fulfil children’s right based on IHS vision, mission and values.
• Assists the CP Project Coordinator in the preparation and compilation of monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports and for other IHS and donor compliances and requirements.
• Document best practices of the project activities and share with relevant agencies.
• Promote inclusion and equal access for children and PSNs, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable and at-risk.
• Identify potential cases of children victims and PSNs /or at heightened risk of violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect and any other protection concern or threat and report to the CP coordinator.
• Always maintain strict confidentiality regarding information and data of beneficiaries.
• Ensure IHS Child Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Minimum Standards are mainstreamed through all the programmatic activities.
• Report serious cases of abuse committed against children to the Child Protection Project Manager.

Coordination & Representation

•  Coordinates with other IHS staff to ensure implementation of standardized activities and with other departments (programme and support) of IHS as necessary.
• Represent IHS project in coordination meetings held at site level in her/his field of expertise.
• Fully comply with IHS Code of Conduct and ensure Child Safeguarding Policy is always upheld.
• Ensure adherence to IHS standards and quality requirements in all the project activities.
• Adhere to and ensure the team under her/his responsibility follows IHS administrative and logistical regulations and procedures.
• Creating and maintaining an environment free from abuse and exploitation, obligation to report any concerns, participation in mandatory PSEA trainings, and work with respect the code of conduct to protect beneficiaries. He/she is responsible to keep all information confidential regarding with the beneficiary’s data and organizational rules and regulations.    

 Safeguarding Commitments

•  IHS has a zero tolerance to violations of Child and Adult Safeguarding, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and the Code of Conduct. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment IHS implement a range of procedures and actions including Criminal Background Checks/ International vetting/Certificate of good conduct to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded and abuse is prevented.
•  IHS holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasize to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, reference check processes.

 Gender Equality Commitments  

• Foster an environment that supports values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion. race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status. 
• Value and respect all cultures. 

Country Office: Innovative Humanitarian Solutions /IHS Ethiopia

Base/Duty place: Dabat, Adierkay, and Debrebirhan

Availability:  Immediately

Contract Duration:  11 months (with possibility for extension)

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Education: University degree in Social Work, Social Studies, Psychology, Education or any other related discipline.
• Work experience: Minimum 2-year experience in the field of child protection / protection/SGBV/ PSS.

 Required Skills & Competencies

• Language Skills: Fluent in local languages and in English (speaking/reading/writing).
• Knowledge & skills: Excellent analytical and writing skills, creative thinking.
• Computer skills: Good knowledge of the MS office software.