TITLE: Child Protection Coordinator
TEAM/PROGRAMME: Syria Country Office, Damascus
LOCATION: Damascus with frequent visit to Aleppo
GRADE: 3
CONTRACT LENGTH: 6 months
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.
As part of these responsibilities, the post holder will support the establishment of child safeguarding systems, promote a culture of keeping children safe, and ensure that potential harm to children (by our own staff and/or as a result of how we do our work) is identified and addressed on an ongoing basis. The post holder should report and respond to interventions as determined by position related responsibilities identified in the Child Safeguarding Policy.
ROLE PURPOSE:
As a member of the Programme Operations Team, and under the direct supervision of the Field Manager (and technical guidance from the Child Protection Advisor, Case Management Specialist and MHPSS Advisor), the Child Protection Coordinator will will lead, support, follow up on, and oversee child protection programs implemented by partners in the assigned locations.
The Child Protection Coordinator will closely collaborate with partners to ensure the timely planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Child Protection programmes implemented in the assigned locations, ensuring quality and adherence to guidelines for all CP and Case Management activities implemented in the assigned target areas.. She/He will also be responsible for providing the perspective from the field level on child protection to support the programme development. She/he will represent Save the Children in the field-level technical working group meetings related to the protection of the children. She/He will ensure effective coordination with partner and the local authority for the smooth implementation of child protection and case management interventions. She/he will identify the capacity gaps in partner Child protection , and the Case Management teams, develop a capacity building plan and carry out the capacity building initiatives with the support of the Child Protection Advisor, MHPSS Advisor and Case Management Specialist, . She/He will be responsible for ensuring implementation of integrated activities child protection and Case Management programming with other sectors in the specified location/s.
SCOPE OF ROLE:
Reports to: Field manager..
Staff reporting to this post: TBC
KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Programme Management
- Deliver expert technical guidance to partners in formulating strategic concept notes and budget proposals for protection focused interventions, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and program goals throughout the proposal development process.
- Collaborate closely with the partner to finalize and submit key planning documents — including the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), phased budget, HR plan, and procurement plan — ensuring full consistency with the approved project package.
- Support the Field Manager in providing oversight and troubleshooting critical implementation challenges faced by partners across operational areas; promptly escalate any significant issues to the Field Manager for timely resolution.
- Coordinate with the Awards Management team to ensure Partner Award Agreements are finalized and signed in accordance with the approved project package, and proactively prepare for kick-off meetings to facilitate smooth project initiation.
- Participate actively in key coordination meetings (kick-off, close-out, BVA reviews, Award Review Meetings, and Member calls) to provide regular updates on partner implementation progress and financial performance.
- Identify partner capacity-building needs and deliver targeted training and mentoring to strengthen child protection programming and implementation.
- Organize and lead regular coordination meetings with partners, with the support of the Child Protection Technical Advisor and the Case Management Specialist, to review implementation progress, address challenges, ensure quality standards, and strengthen collaboration.
- Conduct regular field visits to monitor partner-led activities, supervise sessions, and provide structured feedback, coaching, and technical support to enhance program quality and impact.
- Supporting the partners for ensure effective community engagement, outreach, and the establishment and running of community-based child protection mechanisms.
- Review the partner’s monthly narrative to ensure high quality and contribute to donor reporting
- Review the partner’s financial report to ensure they are managing their spending effectively and to identify any potential underspend .
- Technical supervision with partners to ensure the child protection activities are implemented effectively, in line with Save the Children’s quality standards and approaches. .
- Responsible for maintaining administrative files and all programme documentation, in compliance with donor requirements and internal standards.
- Ensure a strict adherence to the principles of child protection and child safeguarding at all times, including respect for confidentiality and always acting in the best interests of the child.
- Comply with SCI organisational policies and practices with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
- In coordination with the Case Management Specialist, facilitates and supports case conferences for complex cases.
- Ensure all activities implmented by partner comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures, including child safeguarding, confidentiality and do no harm principles.
- Ensure all Child Protection and Case Management activities implemented by partner are in line with Syria Country Office and/ or Save the Children quality standards/benchmarks and approaches.
- Develop monthly work plans with partner.
- Provide the accurate context and needs analysis on child protection and case management which support programme design.
Emergency preparedness & response
- Work with Field Manager and Technical Advisor to strengthen approaches on and capacities in emergency preparedness & contingency planning across the country programme and support Field Manager to ensure that humanitarian preparedness actions are incorporated across field offices.
- If/when relevant support Field Manager and Technical Advisor to develop contingency plans, help coordinate emergency response across fields, provide support to partners during emergency spikes, etc
MEAL and reporting
- Ensure attendance databases are updated daily.
- Work with IM and MEAL teams to ensure data collection is conducted according to Save the Children SOPs.
- Ensure the implementation of quality assurance tools.
- Contribute to preparing quality and timely first draft reports for donors and management, as per the internal and external requirements.
- Ensure effective monitoring in the assigned location and be responsible for implementing feedback and recommendations.
- Conduct weekly field monitoring visits to provide technical guidance the partner.
- Work closely with Information management team to ensure data is accurately recorded, and utilised for program development and reporting while following ethical procedures for data sharing and CM SOPs.
Staff leadership, mentorship, and development
- Working closely with the HR team, and in coordination with field manager and the CP TA, to ensure timely recruitment, induction and training of new staff.
- Together with the Child Protection TA, provide guidance and oversight for the child protection team and partner in the specified location, ensuring that partner achieve the program’s expected results on time and within quality standards/benchmarks.
- Identify learning and training opportunities for Save the Children staff and partner and work as a mentor for less experienced staff.
- Support child protection mainstreaming through induction and trainings of non-CP staff.
- Supervise and manage team to ensure quality implementation, continuous capacity building and contributes to staff wellbeing through supportive supervision.
Representation and coordination
- Establish and maintain a strong relationship and liaise with stakeholders.
- Participate in inter-agency case conferencing when requested
- Ensure safe referrals for the cases identified with child protection concerns.
- Participate actively in the sub-national Cluster meetings (CP Aor, GBV, CM Taskforce and any other relevant cluster or Working Group)
- Coordinate with other agencies for referrals and support to children with protection concerns
BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)
Accountability:
- holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
- holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities – giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.
Ambition:
- sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
- widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
- future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.
Collaboration:
- builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
- values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength.
- approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.
Creativity:
- develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
- willing to take disciplined risks.
Integrity:
- honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates the highest levels of integrity.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, human rights, or psychology. In the absence of the required academic background, equivalent professional experience of at least 4 years in a related field will be considered.
- Demonstrated coordination and leadership skills
- At least four years of experience in a similar role in the humanitarian/development sector, Demonstrable commitment to promoting the child’s right to protection.
- Experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting. Good skills in budgeting.
- Previous experience of team management, including recruitment and on-the-job training
- Proven ability to work as part of a team.
- Demonstrated decision-making skills.
- Highly motivated, active, self-starter who can take initiative.
- Demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of children Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication and presentation skills, and capacity to maintain relations with community leaders, community member members, children and youth.
- Strong understanding of the situation of children in the working context, understanding of child development, social services and system strengthening
- Excellent understanding of the complexity of local governance structures in Syria and other local stakeholders.
- Ability to travel independently, including to rural communities and willingness to change work practices and hours and spend time in the field, sometimes in difficult conditions and with limited resources.
- Fluent in English (written and spoken), strong Arabic skills, written and spoken.
- Strong computer skills (MS Office, including Outlook for email).
- Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches.
Desirable:
- Previous programme designing and management experience
- Previous INGO experience a strong asset
- Experience of working with and supporting local partners
- Background knowledge in child protection, education, child rights and emergencies
Additional job responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.
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.
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.
How to Apply:
