Child Protection Advisor - Jordan

Tracking Code: 218616-927

Job Location: Amman, Jordan

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Job Description

This position is pending funding and anticipate deployment in June and is a six months assignment with possibility for time extension.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

To provide technical support on a UNICEF-Mercy Corps project in Azraq refugee camp in Jordan to establish community based protection and psychosocial activities including child protection committees (CPC) and child friendly space (CFS) Child and Adolescent Friendly Spaces (AFS).

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

Mercy Corps is an international relief and development organization working in over 40 countries worldwide helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Mercy Corps has been operating in Jordan since 2002 and is currently responding to the large influx of Syrians now residing in northern Jordan. Mercy Corps is currently constructing and operating playgrounds in several refugee camps/transit centers in Jordan and will now lead child protection and psychosocial support activities in the Azraq camp being constructed in the northeast of the country.

Technical

• Advise on the establishment of CPCs and actively build the capacity of staff on child protection, including detailed action planning, for CPCs.
•  Support CPCs community based system to actively coordinate and link with other community based support structures in the camp.
• Strengthen the monitoring and evaluation system for the activities implemented by the CPCs.  
• Build capacity of Mercy Corps staff, CPC representatives and child friendly space and adolescent friendly space staff (including animators and mentors) on child protection monitoring, referral for more specialized services and skills for supporting children and youth.
• Integrate structured psychosocial activities into children friendly space and adolescent friendly spaces in Azraq camp based on lessons learned at Zaatari camp.
• Support the development of community mobilization and referral plans to strengthen the link between the children friendly space and the community, including CPCs.
• Raise awareness of the importance of child protection among community members and camp leadership and support the CPC in providing skill development trainings as needed.
• Reinforce Positive discipline activities targeting parents of children.
• Emphasize opportunities for girls and boys to equally benefit from CFS activities in culturally appropriate ways.
• Train two local partners’ staff in safe operation of friendly spaces
• Provide team members with information, tools and other resources to improve performance & reach objectives.

Strategy and Vision

• Recognize opportunities for innovative action and support an environment where alternative view points are welcomed.
• Set direction by prioritizing and organizing actions & resources to achieve objectives.

Representation

• Identify, build and manage collaborative partnerships with other CP and psychosocial support actors to ensure coordination and opportunities for complementary programming. Communicate effectively to ensure a high standard of technical integrity of program activities and liaise with donor as needed to make technical adjustments.

Security

• Work closely with the country team’s security focal point to maintain systems and training that ensure the safety and security of the team.

Organizational Learning:  As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries: Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Deputy Director

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Close coordination with Child Protection Project Manager and project team.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree in social sciences, child protection/psychology, social development or a related technical field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in child protection including in  emergencies
• Strong technical knowledge of promising practice in the field of child protection and psychosocial support in emergencies
• Technical experience establishing child protection committees and establishing child friendly spaces activities
• Experience in the region and refugee settings, especially camps
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• High level skills in preparing and delivering participatory trainings and materials.
•  English language; Arabic an advantage.
• Ability to work independently, under pressure
•  Ability to work in interagency manner

SUCCESS FACTORS:

The successful Child Protection Technical Advisor will combine exceptional management skills and experience in maintaining donor and partner relationships.  S/he will have an outstanding ability to develop, implement and manage innovative programs within the current and future program structure of Mercy Corps in the region. S/he will also have proven experience with cross-cultural team and capacity building, individual staff development and strong mentoring skills. Prioritizing, problem solving, ability to seize opportunities, attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

The Child Protection Technical Advisor is based in Amman, Jordan This location is (accompanied and secure). Housing is individual accommodation with unlimited freedom of movement beyond the house/office. Staff will have a very high degree of access to medical and other services. This position requires regular travel within Jordan to work sites in the east of the country. Travel time from Mercy Corps office to the project sites is roughly 1.5/hours.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

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