Child Protection Working Group Co-lead

The role

The cluster approach ensures clear leadership, predictability and accountability in international responses to humanitarian emergencies by clarifying the division of labour among organisations and better defining their roles and responsibilities within the different sectors of the response. It aims to make the international humanitarian community better organised, and more accountable and professional, so that it can better respond to the needs of affected populations, host governments, local authorities, civil society and resourcing partners.

UNICEF is the lead agency for the Child Protection Working Group globally; in DRC, Save the Children’s Child Protection Working Group (CPWG) Co-Facilitator will support and co-lead the Working Group, and work impartially to serve the needs of all members. Based on the IASC Reference module for Cluster coordination at the country level, these functions are related to the strengthening of the coordination mechanism for service deliver; information for strategic decision; planning and strategy development; advocacy; monitoring and reporting; contingency planning/preparedness and accountability to affected populations.

On behalf of Save the Children, and in support of the government and all humanitarian actors, the purpose of this post is to provide leadership and facilitate the processes that will ensure a well-coordinated, strategic, adequate, coherent, and effective response by participants in the Child Protection Working Group.

Qualifications and experience

• A child protection professional with a Master’s degree in child protection, law, social work or other relevant field
• Extensive professional experience of at least 5 years, including experience working at a senior management or technical level in child protection in humanitarian contexts for international NGOs
• Excellent understanding of the child protection sector, particularly issues related to child protection in emergencies, family separation, and mental health and psychosocial support
• Clear understanding of the intersection of child protection with other thematic areas
• Proven facilitation and representation skills
• Strong commitment to the engagement and capacity building of South Sudanese protection partners
• Participatory and consultative approach to leadership
• Experience with child protection programming in humanitarian settings absolutely required.
• Experience writing/reviewing funding proposals for large institutional grants
• Strong analytical skills and ability to identify key points within large bodies of information
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
• Highly developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively at all levels, taking into account cultural and language difficulties
• Highly developed oral and written communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Strong results orientation
• Experience solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
• Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours
• Fluency in French and English, both verbal and written, required; local languages a strong asset.
• Commitment to Save the Children values, including willingness to abide by and enforce the Child Safeguarding policy.

Contract length: 12 months

The Organisation

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. 

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

Applicants are advised that Save the Children International does not require any payment or expense during the entire recruitment process. Any request in this direction should be immediately reported as contrary to the values and practices of our organization.