Project Officer

Project Officer - Child Protection

Terre des Hommes Netherlands is looking for a project officer - Child Protection, full time, to be based in Busia County, Kenya with frequent travel in the country. This is a national position, open to applicants who can prove the right to live and work in Kenya. Initial contract period will be for one year.

Background:

Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH-NL) is an international NGO committed to stopping child exploitation. In East Africa, Terre des Hommes Netherlands works in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia. We support child victims of exploitation with education, psychosocial support, legal assistance, shelter, job opportunities and medical care; while at the same time targeting highly vulnerable children, who are at risk of being exploited, in our prevention activities. We launch public and media campaigns to create awareness on our focus issues and carry out local research into the extent and nature of abuse and exploitation of children.

TdH-NL in East Africa works within four child protection themes: the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL), Child Trafficking and Migration (CTM), and Child Abuse (CA) in the form of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights. Through collaboration with local civil society organisations (CSOs), TdH-NL implements development, humanitarian/relief and advocacy interventions in various parts of Kenya, supported by own TdH-NL funding and various donors.

Our Vision: Terre des Hommes Netherlands works towards a world where all children have a decent life and can grow up to be independent adults. A world in which children are no longer exploited. We will continue our work until this is accomplished.

Our Mission: Terre des Hommes Netherlands prevents child exploitation, removes children from exploitative situations and ensures these children can develop themselves in a safe environment.

Position in the organisation

The Project Officer - Child Protection is part of the Kenya Country Office team. The position is based in Busia County and receives hierarchical leadership from the Program Officer (PO) based in Nairobi to whom he/she reports. He/She leads in the implementation of Terre des Hommes Netherlands’ Child protection activities under the Joining Forces alliance. S/he will be implementing activities addressing violence against children and CSEC during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic guided by the 4 project result areas: (i) Strengthening Child protection systems at national, County and community level; (ii) Engaging and working with families, communities and institution to improve their resilience, while adopting positive attitudes and behaviours; (iii) Increasing the capacity of the children themselves to prevent and respond to violence against them and ensure meaningful child participation in all matters affecting them at all levels; and (iv) Working to increase learning and sharing of knowledge and best practice related to child protection approaches. “Joining Forces Alliance” is a global collaboration between six of the world’s largest child rights organisations – Child Fund, Plan International, Save the Children, SOS Children’s Villages, Terre des Hommes and World Vision; aimed to share learning and experiences and maximize impact on ending violence against children. In Kenya the alliance works together, in the best interest of the child, to strengthen collaboration with the Government of Kenya Ministries, Departments and Agencies and other partners in ensuring that children's rights are secured and that the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child are upheld.

The Project Officer will coordinate all Joining Forces activities in Busia County under the EU funded project while working closely with other JF members present in the County.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of TdH-NL Programme Officer (PO):

• Take lead role for the planning, implementation and monitoring of all project activities while ensuring donor and TdH-NL compliance guidelines are met




• With support of the Programme officer, maintain regular contacts and good working relationships between TdH- NL and County Authorities (Ministry of Health, Department of Children Services, Police, Judiciary, Ministry of Education), representatives of other organizations (INGOs, NGOs, CBOs, FBOs), relevant child protection networks and the community.




• Ensure implementation of COVID-19 response activities are implemented within the established guidelines by the government




• Conduct capacity strengthening activities (in positive parenting, lifeskills, PSS) with key stakeholders (including children) as defined by the project target and ensure continued mentorship for improved CP services




• Initiate and facilitate structured community dialogues with opinion leaders, community leaders, traditional leaders with aim of influencing for change of negative norms and adopting positive norms that promote protection of girls and boys against violence and exploitation




• Ensure participation of the community (especially children through child rights clubs and groups) in child rights and child protection, participatory development of IEC materials and in marking keys events such as the Day of the African Child, International Day of the Girl Child, the World Children’s Day, etc




• In strategic collaboration with other like minded actors, organize and participate in joint advocacy forums targeting relevant authorities to address identified gaps by incorporating them in their plans and budgets




• Strengthen coordination meetings at county and sub county levels - eg Area Advisory Councils, Child Protection Technical Working Groups and disseminate Violence Against Children messages and related documents to these structures




• Manage and support the project volunteers to ensure timely, efficient and effective implementation of the project.




• With support of the Finance and Administration Officer, ensure efficient use of project resources and that programme and finance commitments as per donor contract are being fulfilled.




• Monitor the context in Busia vis a vis the development and humanitarian situation and child protection concerns and provide feedback and advice to the PO, Country Manager and others as appropriate for decision making.




• Ensure that all scheduled project reports such as progress and financial reports are delivered timely and that they are of high quality




• With support of the PO, lead monthly, quarterly and annual Review Meetings and ensure follow up actions are implemented.




• Support the Regional Marketing and Communication Officer at Regional Office with information and materials for marketing and communication, e.g. news items (case stories, articles) and photos.




• Apply Terre des Hommes Netherlands’ tools in organisational assessment, M&E and capacity building and regularly update project documentation/ files for reference by all concerned.

Qualification, Experience and Behaviours necessary to achieve role purpose

• Bachelor's degree in development studies, project management, child rights, or relevant fields




• Minimum of five years of experience in a similar position




• Knowledge of and experience in project cycle management, including the use of Theory of Change and other planning tools




• Experience with financial management




• Experience with Lobby & Advocacy, good understanding of policies and budgeting processes/cycles in Kenya




• Experience with Child Rights programming is an advantage




• Strong analytical and with report-writing abilities




• Strong interpersonal communication skills- written and orally




• Language skills: oral and written fluency in English, oral fluency in Kiswahili




• Computer literacy, particularly in Google cloud as well as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint




• High degree of taking initiative, working independently and with the ability to adapt to changing priorities

How to apply

Please send your motivation letter and curriculum vitae by email to: recruitment.africa@tdh.nl clearly demonstrating how you meet the qualifications for this position and your expected remuneration, no later than 10th July 2020 by 5.00 pm (EAT). For more information about this position, you can contact us through the same email address.

Please note that this is a national position. Applicants must be able to provide proof of the right to live and work in Kenya. Kindly also note that due to the expected large responses only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The selection procedure will include an assessment test and procedures (including child safeguarding), and checking of recent professional references.