Child Protection Specialist – Kampala – Compassion International

About Us:
Compassion International is a Christ Centered non-governmental organization dedicated to child development. Through a holistic approach, Compassion International addresses the spiritual, economic, social and physical aspects of the neediest children in communities to help them become responsible and fulfilled Christian adults.

Job Summary: The Child Protection Specialist will be tasked with ensuring that appropriate child protection plans and processes are in place and followed at the Field Office (FO) as well as supports the equipping of Implementing Church Partners (ICPs) in this regard. The incumbent will strive to ensure appropriate response, reporting, and management of all child protection cases from initial discovery through to completion. In addition, the Child Protection Specialist will provide consultation and support to the FO staff as well as ICP staff and volunteers as relates to the area of child protection.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Implementation support:
The jobholder serves as lead Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the field office on the Child Protection overall strategy to prevent, recognize, and respond to abuse
Offers timely support to field officer and ICPs in the development, implementation, and ongoing improvement of child protection local plans of action.
Supports and accompanies (as appropriate) the Partnership Facilitator (PF) on visits to the ICP to support implementation, monitoring and evaluation of child protection, and follow up of child abuse cases
The jobholder designs workable programs for the HVC: facilitate and follow up the implementation of designed Highly Vulnerable Children (HVC) Strategies of Intervention.
Prepare proposals for HVC projects that will support the implementation of HVC and follow up the implementation of the same
Carries out orientation workshops on HVC programmatic Interventions with FO staff, ICPs and caregivers/families of beneficiary children in collaboration with Partnership Facilitators and Training Specialists
Provides subject matter expertise to Partnership Facilitators, Specialists, Partners and Caregivers on HVC and on how to minister to them. Provide consultation on the preparation of training materials on psychosocial support for HVC.
Makes proper follow up of the implementation of HVC projects, and activities such as fostering, Income Generating Activities (IGAs) and vocational trainings.
Facilitate support in a sustainable way for registered children whose rights are violated/ abused in any case working with FO frontline facilitators and the ICPs.
In charge of documenting HVC related outcomes.
Relationship Building, Consultation & Networking:
Provides consultation and technical advice to ICPs and FO staff on how to prevent and handle child abuse cases.
The incumbent facilitates internal and external resources to support these activities.
Guides and coordinates the FO and ICPs approaches to child protection to support alignment with Compassion’s policies and standards as well as local and international laws and standards. Builds strong partnerships and engages in active collaboration with Regional office and Global Ministry Council (as appropriate) as well as government and non-government agencies to support this, o Actively acquires new and innovative approaches to child protection through networking with other organizations, researching industry best practices, experiential learning, etc. and shares these within the FO and ICPs.
The jobholder will networks and builds relationships with applicable government and non-government agencies,
Represents Compassion International by participating in inter-agency meetings as applicable.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
The ideal candidate should hold a Bachelor’s degree in Law, Social Sciences. Social Work, Psychology, Development studies, Gender and Ethics or Christian Ministry.
Hold a Certificate or Diploma in Law. A legal background or experience working in a legal environment is beneficial and is an added advantage.
A minimum of three years professional or intensive volunteer experience relevant to working with abused children, communities and ministries, plus child protection service agencies.
Excellent interpersonal skills conducive to establishing trusting relationships with Field Office staff, ICP staff, children on program and a wide variety of stakeholders.
Strong leadership, case management, and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and driving skills preferred.
The applicant should be a mature Christian characterized by a strong Christian testimony, a heart for ministry, and knowledge of the scriptures
Maintains a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Is a consistent witness for Jesus Christ, maintains a courteous, Christ-like attitude in dealing with people within and outside of Compassion, and faithfully upholds Compassion’s ministry in prayer
Acts as an advocate for children – raising the awareness of the needs, neglect, nurture, and potential of children in poverty and challenging and enabling those within one’s influence to greater involvement and effectiveness on behalf of children

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send a cover letter, detailed curriculum vitae, three professional references, reference letter from your current Pastor / Reverend, copies of academic qualification documents to:

The Senior Human Resource Specialist,
Compassion International Uganda,
Plot 8A3, Baskerville Avenue, Kololo,
P.O. Box 8936, Kampala.

Deadline: 30th May 2016