Child participation and community engagement officer Full Time NEW

The CP and CE Officer is responsible for supporting the implementation of child protection interventions within the designated operational area. This role includes facilitating capacity building, fostering dialogue between service providers and users, advocating for enhanced child protection services and regulations, and managing effective partnerships. Additionally, the officer ensures and supports the effective implementation of activities that promote the spiritual development of children and establish Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)-responsive organizational practices and programming. The role involves close collaboration with community members, local government, and other stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

Major Roles & Responsibilities:

• Enhance community-led initiatives for the care and protection of boys and girls
• Enhance local reporting and referral mechanisms
• Enhance the provision of high-quality child protection services within local communities
• Oversee and facilitate the effective implementation of partnerships
• Support the spiritual nurture of children at the local level
• Ensure the establishment of GESI responsive organizational practices and programming in operational areas.
• Manage Sponsorship business on the assigned specific areas
• Planning, Monitoring and Reporting

Work Location: Afar Region, Chifra Operational Area

Required Qualification and Work Experience:

• A university degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Gender and Development Studies, or other relevant fields is required. A master’s degree in a related field is an advantage.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in planning, implementing, supervising, and reporting on child protection (CP), advocacy, Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHSS), and related areas. Experience with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) in related programs, particularly in child protection and advocacy within development programs or humanitarian response, is preferred.

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications ​

• Experience in community development.
• Ability to engage religious leaders of all faiths to promote holistic development.
• Knowledge of community-based child protection programming and humanitarian response.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff and stakeholders.
• Experience in direct case management and working with children, women, and adolescents.
• Knowledge of Gender-Based Violence programming and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
• Excellent training, facilitation, and negotiation skills.
• Strong character traits, including emotional stability, adaptability, stress management, cultural and gender sensitivity, and integrity.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English and the local language.
• Strategic thinking, flexibility, responsiveness, and compassion.
• Relationship management skills and ability to collaborate with other sectors and partners.
• Experience in design, monitoring, and evaluation and Skills in data analysis and interpretation.
• Willingness to work with a diverse range of partners, sectors, and disciplines.
• Collaborative approach to working with partners and stakeholders, including faith-based organizations (FBOs) and children/youth groups.

Language Requirements

English and local language