Position title:                         SARU Child Protection Specialist

Reports To:                            ARDU/South Africa Resettlement Unti (SARU) Manager

Division :                                 CWS Africa

Department:                            Programs, South Africa Resettlement Unit

Job Location:                          Nairobi, Kenya

Grade Level:                            Grade 6, Specialist, International/National

Introduction: Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

This is a full time position within SARU which identifies and drafts U.S. Embassy referrals for submission to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) in Africa. CWS/RSC Africa will identify and prepare  reports to identify and/or determine the best interest of unaccompanied and separated children, with the goal of identifying durable solutions for them, including resettlement through the USRAP. The primary function of the Child Protection Specialist is to support the SARU team by not only being a child protection expert but also ensuring case quality.

Working Environment

• Regular travel to the field
• n-office work while in Nairobi

Essential Duties:

The Child Protection Specialist will be expected to:

1. Complete all duties in accordance with PRM, RPC, CWS and RSC Africa Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) including country-specific resettlement, confidential case management protocols, and (child) protection.
2. Monitor outstanding cases, make assessments and follow-up with relevant partners to ensure smooth processing of referral submissions.
3. Developing child safeguarding and protection policies to fit the needs of the population being served.
4. Ensure that ARDU/SARU staff resources such as current processing practices and approaches in Child Protection and determining the best interests of the children are updated.
5. Train staff on child protection and safeguarding to ensure dignified processing throughout all stages in the pipeline.
6. Analyze all information and interview unaccompanied and separated children, with possible, home visits for the purpose of determining the best interest of the children.
7. Contribute towards identifying resettlement cases, compiling interview lists, scheduling interviews, as well as carrying out resettlement interviews with the goal of completing referrals.
8. Complete and update all case files and START database records per PRM/RPC guidelines.
9. Maintain updated knowledge of current refugee situations, with an emphasis on child refugee populations, served in sub-Saharan Africa.
10. Be available, to answer any specific technical questions raised by the team when it comes to child protection cases.
11. Actively participate as a member of the SARU team and comply with CWS’ security requirements.
12. Assist in developing SOPs and process flow to ensure efficient and effective processing of cases being considered or in the USRAP.
13. Communicate challenges related to casework, logistics and relationship with partners to RSC management in a timely
14. Submit reports as needed, to SARU/RSC management.
15. Undertake additional assigned duties while in the field or at the CWS/RSC Africa office to support SARU and CWS/RSC Africa, including administrative tasks.
16. Any other duties as assigned.

Experience:

• A Minimum of Five (5) year’s work experience required
• A minimum of Eighteen (18) months of related experience in child protection or child welfare is required.
• Previous confidential case management experience, including use of age-appropriate and gender-sensitive interview techniques is required.
• Experience working in a child protection framework is required. USRAP casework experience is desirable.
• Four (4) years relevant work experience is preferred.

Skills:

• Thorough and demonstrated knowledge of international child protection frameworks and Best Interests Procedure Guidelines.
• Demonstrated knowledge of USRAP resettlement processes.
• Excellent interviewing and counseling skills.
• Excellent drafting, writing and analytical skills.
• Excellent spoken and written English; secondary language skills in Kiswahili, French or any other African regional language preferred.
• Previous assessment/ monitoring and evaluation skills preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills.
• Strong computer skills, in particular with Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, social sciences, law (or a related field of study), or four (4) years additional work experience in a similar field required, in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.
• Master’s degree in a related field of study is preferred 

Abilities:

The Child Protection Specialist must have the ability to:

• Conduct assessments and identify protection needs of vulnerable children.
• Work effectively with partners and in team settings.
• Travel within sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and sometimes under difficult conditions, including to refugee camps.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner to represent the best interests of CWS RSC Africa.
• Maintain a high performance standard with meticulous attention to detail.
• Carry out all of the duties of the position efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision.
• Work independently and contribute to overall operations of CWS RSC Africa.
• Maintain strict confidentiality with CWS RSC Africa administrative and operational information.
• Manage a large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities.
• Work well as a team in a multi-cultural environment while maintaining a high level of motivation.
• Demonstrate leadership, take initiative in the development and completion of projects.
• Analyze, solve complex problems and make sound decisions.
• Actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

Important Requirements:

• Have strong English communication skills, both written and oral;
• Work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.

• This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya with frequent travel to the field.
• This position requires use of laptops at all time, therefore competence in Microsoft office packages is required.
• This position may require travel throughout sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and under sometimes difficult conditions to meet demands of a dynamic operational program.
• A valid passport and the ability to maintain a valid passport throughout the entire appointment is required, which includes having enough passport pages for travel.
• The candidate should be of good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions, and have a high degree of flexibility. Must obtain a Certificate of Good Health from a recognized hospital before the start of deployment to UNHCR and have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for RSC Africa.
• Background check which includes references and an educational and criminal check is required before the start of employment.
• Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements and lifting/carrying heavy loads.
• Environmental: Incumbents in this position will be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces.
• This is a full-time position.
• All employees should be prepared to work from the CWS office within their location of hire.