ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the largest humanitarian agencies in the world, providing relief, rehabilitation, and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of oppression and violent conflict. IRC has worked for over seven decades and today is involved in over 25 conflict zones in the world.   We address both the immediate, life-saving needs of conflict-affected people in an emergency and the reconstruction needs in post-conflict societies. IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and thorough accountability to those we serve.  The IRC is an international agency with offices in London, New York, and Geneva.

BACKGROUND:

For over half a century, Tanzania has been a country of asylum, hosting one of the largest refugee populations in Africa.  Currently, the country hosts approximately 311,000 Burundian and Congolese refugees, many of whom arrived over the last 2 years as the crisis in Burundi increased. To date, refugees continue to arrive in the region expressing multiple reasons and needs.

Within this context, IRC provides protection and basic assistance in the areas of child and youth protection and development, community-based rehabilitation for persons with disabilities and special needs, gender-based violence / women’s protection and empowerment, livelihoods, mental health services and primary health care, both at border posts for the Burundian new arrivals and in refugee camps in the Kigoma region.

JOB OVERVIEW:

This position will be responsible for the overall implementation of the Child and youth protection and development program (CYPD) in the camps of Nyarugusu, including monitoring and ensuring program quality in line with child protection guiding principles and best practices. The role will lead on all CYPD representation and advocacy; act as the main liaison with UNHCR’s Child Protection technical lead, other IRC technical coordinators and senior management, as well as leading all Child protection and youth proposal development and reporting. The coordinator will ensure internal and external collaboration including acting as lead to the CPIMS task force and active member of the CPSWG.

The Coordinator will lead implementation of the program grants in Nyarugusu Camp, host Community and national engagement, and ensure that the objectives of the program are met in a timely manner and are being monitored and evaluated effectively; ensure that CYPD staff receive appropriate mentorship and capacity building and that a positive team spirit is fostered encouraging innovative and quality programming. The Coordinator will directly manage and provide technical support to one Senior Child protection Manager, one M&E supervisor and one youth supervisor.

The CYPD Coordinator will be based in Kasulu with frequent travel to Kibondo for coordination meetings, Dar salaam and Dodoma for National strategic engagement. The position reports to the Deputy Director of Programs based in Dar Es Salaam. Technical support is provided by the child protection Technical Advisor. S/he will also work closely with the Grants Coordinator on program funding and donor compliance.

Major Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Program Design

• Contribute to the implementation of the IRC Tanzania Country Strategic Action Plan (SAP) outcome areas, in particular prioritized outcomes related to Safety
• Maintain and strengthen strategic partnerships with UN, INGOs, NGOs and community leadership to deliver child protection and youth program quality in the specified locations.
• In collaboration with the M&E Coordinator contribute to UNHCR participatory assessment, collect and analyze data to inform proposal development, including needs assessments and projects evaluation especially for ECHO and UNHCR.
• Collaborate with the DDP and Sector team leads to ensure child and youth program coordination with other IRC program. With WPE for child GBV concerns, with ProL for child specific needs in line with existing collaboration agreements and with Education for safety in school based on the strategy in place.
• Lead development of ECHO, UNHCR and PRM and SV proposals and other competitive proposals (including budgets), in accordance with the Tanzania country program strategy, the IRC OEF vision and child protection program approaches, while responding to needs identified on the ground.
• Contribute to National and Regional Child Protection strategy, through engagement and interactions, technical support and attendance of CP forums that contribute to the shaping of the agenda.

Program Implementation and Monitoring and Evaluation

• Monitor the timely implementation, financial management and reporting of the child protection and youth program, in compliance with donor requirements.
• Ensure timely submission of all program reports, quality of program data and proper archival of program information;
• Conduct regular meetings with project staff and community members to assess progress toward objectives, discuss issues and assist in finding solutions to challenges identified.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain Coordinator and other operations Coordinators to ensure that the CYPD program is properly supported and that all activities are conducted according to IRC HR, Logistics, Finance and other policies and procedures;
• Maintain updated budget and indicator tracking tools to monitor progress in implementation
• Provide case management support and supervision and information management in line with established procedures in Tanzania.
• Provide parenting program and SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) implementation technical support.

Human Resource Management and Development

• Recruit and lead CYPD program staff, encouraging a positive and committed team spirit, which fosters participation and innovation from all staff;
• Provide direct supervision to one child protection Senior Manager, one M&E Manager
• Implement capacity building plans for individuals’ staff and teams, including delivery of trainings and on the job coaching and mentoring with a focus on parenting, SEL implementation in SEL and case management.

Communication, Coordination, Representation and Advocacy

• Act as the main focal point for interactions with donors and partners, including the UNHCR Protection Team
• Ensure that all CYPD program data, including clients’ data, is shared in strict accordance with the existing Information Sharing Protocol and international ethical standards and information sharing principles
• Work collaboratively with other IRC teams to ensure safety of children is prioritized across all IRC’s activities
• Represent IRC in all relevant coordination meetings to advocate for the interest of children and youth.
• Strengthen and maintain effective working relationships with all relevant stakeholders including community members, NGOs, government authorities and UN agencies.

Required Qualifications, Experience & Competencies:

• Master’s degree preferred (Social Work, International Relations, Gender & Conflict or other relevant fields);
• 7 years of program management experience, including at least 3 years implementing Child protection prevention and response programs oversees on emergency and/or post-conflict environment;
• Experience in case management is essential
• In-depth understanding of the root causes of protection concerns, related international standards, and child protection prevention and response strategies.
• Strong people management skills: the ability to effectively lead and supervise staff;
• Very strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Fluency in English; ability to communicate in Swahili, French or Kirundi a plus;
• Solid organizational skills: the ability to be flexible and work well under pressure in a fast-paced and detail-oriented team environment;
• Experience working in difficult locations; ability to be resourceful and flexible in a limited resource environment.
• Good computer skills: excellent knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email/internet software.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Lodging in Kasulu is in a shared IRC guesthouse, together with other IRC staff.  All IRC sites have electricity and internet.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.

In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.