Child Protection Officer is accountable for the professional contribution to project design, planning, administration, monitoring and evaluation of Child Protection project activities, data analysis and progress reporting, and commitment for enhancement of teamwork and capacity building, in support of achievement of planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with LWF Uganda, and Donor Guidelines.

Duties and responsibilities
Program Planning and Implementation
• Ensure 100% implementation of the planned project activities on a monthly basis and that budgets are not under and over spent;
• Develop, implement and monitor quarterly, monthly and weekly activity plans to achieve expected results. This includes planning of activities, budgets and procurement.
• Ensure that all planned activities such as those for Child Friendly Spaces, Community based CPC, community awareness raising, and case management are implemented on time, to quality measures and within budget as per the monthly plan. Where challenges arise, ensure that these are flagged early, communicated to the Protection Advisor and addressed in an appropriate way.
• Technically lead all CP program activities especially and ensure that they are being implemented within national and international quality standards.
• Prepares periodic project work plans and budgets in conjunction with the section heads, the Sub Program Manager and Accountant to ensure appropriate utilization of project resources;
• In close collaboration with the Procurement Unit, develops the project procurement plan. Based on the procurement plan, requests for/initiates procurement of required project items/supplies for the assigned sector(s) in line with LWF policies, guidelines and procedures;

Case Management
• Technically support the identification and documentation of vulnerable children including separated and unaccompanied minors, violence survivors, children with disabilities as well as children at risk.
• Provide technical support for community awareness on identification of vulnerable children, child rights and general child protection.
• Conduct community consultation on alternative care arrangements / foster care of unaccompanied and separated children.
• Refer cases with specific needs to the competent service providers, follow up and document referred cases.
• Ensure that follow-up visits are conducted for children in alternative care arrangements / fostered, quality of activities at the CFS and other settlement-based activities.
• Report any violation of the child protection Code of Conduct in line with the LWF’s policies.
• Work with cultural sensitivity and respect the dignity of vulnerable children and families and members of the host communities at all times.
• Conduct focus group discussions with boys and girls, according to age-groups to understand the different gender roles and preferences of activities to inform interventions.
• Conduct focus group discussions with beneficiaries (parents and children) on the delivery of activities.

Community Engagement
• Liaises and consults regularly with the relevant local authorities, community leaders, civil society/non-governmental organizations, collaborating/implementing partners and other stakeholders where appropriate, in conjunction with the Team Leader, in relation to the planning, designing and implementation of all the community-based project activities;
• Coordinates closely with the beneficiaries and local community leaders to ensure efficient execution of project activities and optimum utilization of project items and/or ideas provided within the approved budget, and for planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project activities;
• Carry out periodic community dialogues on child protection
• Support for children’s clubs to create awareness and carry out Child Protection awareness campaigns.

Staff Supervision and Mentorship
Coordinates and supervises the Project Assistants, Child Counsellors under the project in the overall planning, management, implementation and monitoring of activities and takes appropriate action to ensure efficient and effective performance;

Monitoring and Reporting
• Ensure that all program data is properly and regularly collected by field staff, check data and ensure that it is logically presented to the Protection Advisor.
• Document and share promising child protection practices.
• Monitor the work of CP Community Based Structures and protection issues for boys and girls.
• Prepares periodic project work plans and budgets in conjunction with the section heads, the Sub Program Manager and Accountant to ensure appropriate utilization of project resources;
• Keep records of all activities including project assets under custody/use, beneficiary list, partner list, assets or inputs provided, activity and monitoring reports, lists of beneficiaries from the project, etc;
• Prepares and submits quality and timely monthly, quarterly and final narrative reports as required.
• In collaboration with the PMER unit, lead in development of Tools and ensure effective deployment and use of the Survey CTO.
• Develop activity and budget tracking tool, and use on a monthly basis to track and report on activity and budget management;

Coordination and networking
• Represent LWF in district coordination meetings in the child protection working group
• Network with INGOs, NGOs, the UN, and local government authorities to create awareness of the project activities and plan joint activities/events whenever possible.
• Undertaking any other related tasks, or other responsibilities as may be assigned by your supervisor.

Education, Experience, Skills & Technical Competencies
• University Degree in Social Work, Development Studies, Law, Community Psychology or a related field; A Post-graduate qualification in Project Planning and Management is desirable;
• A Minimum 3 years’ experience in a similar position;
• Demonstrate well-developed interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, as well as negotiation skills;
• Ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines;
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, to remain flexible and make decisions independently.