World Vision Uganda (WVU) is a Christian relief, development and advocacy non-government organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. We currently work in 43 districts and have 48 Area Programmes implementing projects in health & nutrition, water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH), livelihoods & resilience, education and child protection. World Vision (WV) is committed to the protection of children and adult beneficiaries from exploitation and abuse and will not employ people whose background is not suitable for working with these beneficiaries. All employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of all applicable background checks, including criminal record checks where possible.

Due to expansion in scope of our programmes, we are now seeking for a qualified and passionate individual willing to share in our vision and join the team in the following role.

Position: Project Officer – Child Protection Tororo Butaleja Cluster

Report to: Programme Manager

Location: Butaleja District

Purpose of the position:

The purpose of this job is to timely and quality implementation of Child Protection (CP) interventions within the cluster/AP. Engagement will be at household, community, village, parish, sub-county and district levels. This role requires the staff to have good communication abilities, networking and collaboration abilities, training abilities for communities especially children. Core to the role are skills to raise awareness for prevention and response to child rights violations and ability to link affected children to services in time and documentation of on the ground experiences and emerging issues in child protection.

Key Outputs/Responsibilities.

Program Planning & Implementation

Implementation of the CP program in the cluster/APs shall be the primary responsibility of the Project Officer (PO) – CP. Specifically the officer shall:

• Actively participate in planning and budgeting processes for CP interventions in the cluster/APs, including development of Area Operational Plans (AOPs), Detailed Implementation plans (DIPs), Work Breakdown structures, Cash-flows, etc.
• Mobilize and facilitate the engagements of stakeholders during planning and development meetings, workshops and other forums
• Facilitate timely and quality implementation of CP interventions in accordance to the CP TP guidance, approved models and approaches, as well as the AOPs and DIPs.
• Gather, analyze and document community perspectives and needs on different CP issues to inform CP programming.
• Routinely identify local CP partners (formal and informal), support and facilitate them in the implementation of planned activities
• Support the collection and documentation of impact and success CP stories.

Capacity Building

The PO shall ensure that children, parents and members of community CP structures are aware and have capacity to engage on CP matters with the aim of facilitating effective service delivery. The PO will therefore:

• Build the capacity of children, families and community to collectively engage local leaders on identified CP issues.
• Routinely coach and mentor the community CP structures and other actors including but not limited to faith and cultural institutions, teachers, etc on CP matters.
• Liaise with community-based and other CP actors and provide the relevant materials for the betterment of their work
• Together with staff in other TPs, train the children’s committees and groups in the respective APs in advocating for their wellbeing.
• Build the capacity of children, families and community to collectively engage local leaders on identified issues.
• Facilitate growth of strong grassroots movements on specific advocacy issues to end violence against children including child sacrifice

Community Engagement

The PO shall engage communities including children, parents, political, cultural and religious leaders, among others. Specifically, he/she will:

• Mobilize communities to participate in project planning, development, implementation and monitoring.
• Mobilize government institutions and technical staff in the planning and implementation of CP interventions and plans.
• Innovatively support communities including RCs and their families to participate and benefit from the CP TP program development.
• Mobilize grassroots organizations, Faith Communities and other civil society organizations to ending violence against children
• Mobilize and sensitize community (RC guardians, community leaders and other community members) on CP programs issues and facilitate participation in the management of various community CP initiatives.
• Follow-up on commitments by local leaders on promotion of protection of all children as well as their general wellbeing.
• Mobilize communities to participate in the relevant child days and celebrations such as the Day of the African Child, Day of the Girl Child, 16 days of activism against Gender based violence, among others.
• Participate and represent World Vision Uganda in the health sector review meetings both at facility and sub-county level

Networking, Coordination and Collaboration

In networking, coordinating and collaborating with different actors, the PO will PO will:

• Facilitate networking with local government institutions and other partners within the Cluster in planning and implementation of CP interventions.
• Identify and nurture local partnerships with grassroots civil society organizations, faith institutions and Sub Counties.
• Coordinate with local government and other partners and engage with relevant stakeholders and local authorities in building relationships and consensus on CP interventions.
• Participate in sub-county planning and budgeting, preparation of work plans, implementation of planned health activities and monitoring/ reporting of progress
• Support local government in formulation and implementation of ordinances and bye-laws on project issues.
• Organize dialogue engagements between partners, local government and children
• Organize learning forums involving local government, CSOs, FBOs, NGOs and other relevant technical personnel.
• Represent World Vision at stakeholder engagements in the district and be a regular advocate on issues of Child Protection
• Support multi-sectoral, Inter-agency networking and coordination in establishing Child protection prevention, response and service provision mechanisms/ referral pathways

Child Protection, Wellbeing, Advocacy and Safeguarding

The PO is responsible for ensuring children are protected and their welfare is great. The PO shall therefore:

• Monitor the wellbeing and child abuse cases and report any incidents in line with child protection policy and guidelines.
• Work with local leaders and CP structures to protect children from child violations and abuses
• Sensitize children including RCs, guardians/parents and other stakeholders about children’s rights and responsibilities.
• Facilitate CP advocacy, policy dialogue and campaign interventions by ensuring linkages and coherence between engagements with the CP interventions and district and National levels.
• Be the Focal Point person for CP in the Cluster and support Cluster teams to report and comply with CP standards including effective roll out of CP models and approaches
• Facilitate effective and meaningful participation of children as agents of change in all project interventions/processes in line with WV Child Participation guidelines
• Engage with partners to assess and address the existing child protection related issues in the community
• Mobilize communities, local organizations, local government and institutions to participate in Child protection implementation and monitoring
• Facilitate proper formation of Child protection working teams/groups in line with World Vision Uganda Child Protection and Advocacy systems strengthening approach
• Facilitate child protection advocacy campaigns and engagements to ensure policy implementation and change.
• Ensure the children meaningfully participate in various for a including the child development and participation centres (CDPCs)
• Be the point person for any peace interventions in the Clusters/APs
• Shall be the point person for safeguarding and advocacy interventions at the AP level

Monitoring & Evaluation

In fulfilling their monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning roles, the PO shall:

• Ensure application of standard monitoring and evaluation tools in project implementation.
• Facilitate and monitor the implementation of planned activities and community level engagements
• Facilitate stakeholders and partners in supervision and monitoring of programmatic activities
• Monitor progress and achievements of the CP TP in the cluster/AP.
• Support and participate in scheduled CP assessments, evaluations, monitoring and designs.
• Provide technical guidance to the Cluster/AP teams in identifying CP areas for research and conduct research to inform programming.
• Document and share impact stories, lessons and best practices.
• Compile quality and timely reports to keep track of progress of implementing planned activities, realizing TP outcomes and targets within the cluster/AP on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual and annual basis as per WVU requirements.
• Organize project level forums to assess progress of implementation of planned activities.
• Monitor progress of project interventions against plans within the Cluster.
• Together with the TPO – CP, organize review, reflection and learning forums for staff and partners.
• Provide technical support in the development of Information, Education, and Communication (I.E.C) and other learning materials on CP in alignment to the TP.
• Compile monitoring and periodic reports for management action and submission to the districts as per NGO requirements and support updating of the databases on children housed by the DPSWOs/CDOs at the sub-county and district.

Qualifications: Education/Knowledge/Technical Skills and Experience.

• Minimum of a degree in Social Sciences, Social Worker, Development Studies, Education or any relevant field. A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Post Graduate Qualification in Human Rights, Project Planning & Management, Development Studies or law from a recognized institution is an added advantage.
• At least 3 years of child protection programming, preferably in an NGO setting experience in engaging communities and other partners. Experience working with children and partners is an added advantage
• A good understanding of social justice and Human Rights issues with demonstrated experience in Child Protection and rights advocacy and networking
• Familiarity with standards and guidelines for Child Protection programming and child and adult safeguarding
• Experience of and commitment to working through systems of community participation and accountability
• Ability to build capacities of community – based structures and other actors.
• Good understanding of local government functions.
• Skills and experience in networking, collaboration and advocacy at different levels.
• Writing, reporting and documentation skills
• Effective communicator (both oral and written) and good documentation skills. Ability to communicate in applicable local language(s).
• Track record demonstrating high integrity, reliability and dependability.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to track budget expenditure on a daily basis and develop a cash flow during planning
• Must be highly reliable and independent, able to work with minimal or no supervision.
• Must be a committed Christian, able to stand above denominational diversities.
• Adapts and able to work under pressure