Project Assistant

TITLE: Project Assistant

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Child Protection LOCATION: Hpa-an, Mon/Kayin (Mostly travel to the field)

Number of Position: 1

GRADE: Nat-5 CONTRACT LENGTH: Fixed Term

CHILD SAFEGUARDING:

Level 3: the post holder will have contact with children and/or young people either frequently (e.g. once a week or more) or intensively (e.g. four days in one month or more or overnight) because they work country programs; or are visiting country programs; or because they are responsible for implementing the police checking/vetting process staff.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The CP Project Assistant will be responsible for developing child protection capacity of partners/key community individuals, as well as carrying out activities that support the protection of children from violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect through case management. The role of the CP Project Assistant is to provide case management services in an appropriate, timely and systematic manner in accordance with the SOPs.

The key objectives of the caseworker’s role is to:

• Support frontline workers and key community individuals in safely identifying child protection risks

• ensure girls, boys and those children identifying as non – binary with complex needs, who have been harmed or at risk of being harmed are identified and receive case management support through following the case management process of registration assessment, action planning, direct service provision, referrals and follow up. Documentation of the different steps in the process is essential.

• provide support to families to better care for and protect children.

• To work with other case management actors and service providers on safe referrals and management of caseload

Scope of Role

Reports to: Project Coordinator

Key Areas of Accountability

Program Implementation and quality:

• Facilitate child protection/MHPSS capacity development program for frontline workers and key community members

• Conduct deep context analysis of child protection risks and existing child protection practices and resources on an ongoing basis

• Support frontline workers and community members in safely identifying and referring child protection risks in a timely manner

• Support children and their families through the case management process (six steps: identification and registration, assessment, case planning, implementation of the case plan, follow-up and review, case closure).

• Ensure quality case management services for girls, boys and those identifying as non-binary, children with complex needs, who have experienced or are at risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and/or meet the eligibility criteria defined in the SOPs.

• Provide psychosocial support to children and families as part of the case management process

• Provide capacity support for volunteers who work as Animators for Child Friendly Space

• Support the Project Coordinator in moving forward on key project activities

Engagement with communities and CSO partners

• Build trust and work in partnership with key community members, local authorities, and partner staff/frontline workers with respect

• Strengthen coordination with other CSO and NGO service providers to ensure timely and safe referrals to appropriate support and services

• Maintain an up-to-date service mapping for the areas in which she or he works.

Ensuring quality case management and monitoring

• Work in a way that respects guiding principles defined in the SOPs

• Fill in and use case management forms appropriately; registration, assessment, case plan, implementation, case notes for home visits and case review, and case closure

Developing self and others (peers)

• Participate in regular case management meetings with other Project Assistants and supervisors.

• Prepare for and participate in regular structured individual supervision sessions with their supervisors, identifying challenges and areas for professional development.

• Actively engage in all capacity building opportunities, including formal trainings, shadowing/observation, Project Assistants capacity assessments and skills identified in competency framework.

Child Safeguarding

• Responsibility to create and promote an environment where the Child Safeguarding Policy is effectively implemented.

• Understand and fulfill their specific and additional responsibilities in achieving compliance of Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy standards.

• Take all necessary and appropriate steps to prevent fraud, bribery, and corruption within their areas of responsibility, report and respond to all incidents and concerns and comply with the Counter-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy and Procedure. All types of fraud, bribery, and corruption must be prevented, including where it benefits the organisation (SCI).

SKILLS

• Ability to demonstrate understanding of child rights and child protection issues, including child development, and case management.

• Deep understanding of local context and an ability to work on the sensitive issues related to armed conflict in the region in a conflict sensitive and do no harm manner

• Proficiency in Karen language

• Organizational skills and the ability to prioritize work

• Developed sense of empathy and ability to communicate effectively with empathetic understanding with children, young people and their families

• Able to communicate clearly and respectfully with internal and external stakeholders for effective coordination and advocacy. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills.

• Active listening skills

• Critical thinking skills

• Problem solving skills

• Basic Computer knowledge - Microsoft Word, Excel

BEHAVIOURS

• Commitment to child protection, sensitivity to confidentiality in working with children and families and commitment to child safeguarding.

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, and external partners.

• Ability and willingness to be sensitive to cultural/religious/ethnic/special needs of children, young people and adults and gender needs.

• To be a role model for others within own community, leading by example in all aspects of personal and professional life in adherence with values, ethics and gender sensitivity.

• To have commitment to continue personal professional development.

• Willingness to travel within state to different townships

• Ability to work under pressure and willingness to work flexible hours

• Ability to collaborate and work with others

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Previous work experience in community development or with an NGO (preferably in child protection)

• Any bachelor’s degree with minimum of 3 years’ experience in working with children with complex needs, particularly in case management

• In depth contextual knowledge and understanding

• Demonstrated understanding of key considerations in working with children and particularly vulnerable children and families

• Experience in community mobilization and conducting outreach activities (building trust and confidence with communities)

• Experience managing child protection cases in a sensitive and child friendly manner.

• Desirable: An active member of the community: leadership in the community: person trusted by children in his/her community; Strong connection with the community

• Communication in Sgaw Karen language

• Fluency in reading and writing skills

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Child Safeguarding:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

All staff has an obligation and a responsibility to:

• Ensure they fully understand the provisions of the Child Safeguarding Policy, the Code of Conduct and Local/Country Procedures.

• Conduct themselves in accordance with the rules of the Child Safeguarding Policy, in their personal and professional lives – which includes reporting suspicions of child abuse.

• Ensure the way they are carrying out their work is not putting children at risk (or further risk) – this means constantly scrutinizing their work through a child safeguarding lens and talking to children about possible design/implementation “flaws”.

• Promote the message of child safeguarding to colleagues in other organizations and government ministries, children in their own and beneficiary families, and community members in general.

• Be vigilant about observing possible child abuse/harm in their personal and professional lives.

All managers have the above responsibilities as well as ensuring

• Their staff are doing the above.

• That child safeguarding is integrated and given a “voice” in all management processes including recruitment, induction, performance management, team meetings, annual planning processes, field level monitoring, etc.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI anti-harassment policy.

Health and Safety

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Organization context

The Organization
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:
· No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday
· All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
· Violence against children is no longer tolerated
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.
Application Information:
Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/jobs We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.