JOB SUMMARY:
The Child Protection and Gender Officer reports directly to the Africa Program Manager, and ensures that Right To Play’s commitment towards child protection and gender equality is translated into concrete and measurable actions. The Officer provides technical support on Child Protection (CP) and Gender Equality, guides the mainstreaming of CP and gender equality into program design and proposals, program implementation, monitoring, reporting and supports with capacity development as well as gender equality policy, strategy, advocacy and research.
The Africa CP and Gender Officer works closely with a diverse team of program officers within the Africa Office and provides indirect support to country level Gender Focal Points and Gender Advisors, to ensure that gender equality is strengthened across all areas of program implementation.
The Africa CP and Gender Officer is based in Kampala with occasional travel to Right To Play program countries across Africa.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Job Responsibility #2: Ensuring Effective Gender Equality and Child Protection Practices in All Programs (40%)
• Supports Right To Play country and field teams with the mainstreaming of effective gender equality and child safeguarding and protection practices in program design, development, implementation and evaluation
• Supports the field teams with gender and child protection analyses throughout the project life cycle
• Guides and advises country and field teams with the development of tools to increase the participation of girls and ensure the protection of all children linked to program activities
• Reviews, assesses and updates child protection and gender equality issues across the region, highlighting emerging and recurring issues requiring a response, and makes recommendations on specific actions required.
Job Responsibility #2: M&E, Impact Measurement, Learning, Research and Reporting (20%)
• In collaboration with the Regional MEL Officer, leads the implementation of transparent and accountable mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating progress for the region’s gender equality and child protection programming.
• Works with Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, and Policy and Advocacy colleagues through a collaborative, cross-organizational process to inform a comprehensive program of research that advances the evidence base for gender equality, child protection and play.
• Contributes to core publications, articles, books and panels to share research results and practice.
• Provides technical inputs on gender equality and child protection issues in the development of all proposals, reports and documents at the regional level
• Assists, as required, in the review of RTP’s gender equality and Child Safeguarding and Protection documentation, policies, procedures and manuals.
Job Responsibility #3: Training and Capacity Building (20% of Time):
• Supports the preparation of toolkits, training manuals and checklists on gender equality and child protection for the Africa Region.
• Supports the training team in organizing workshops on relevant topics that focus on changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviour towards women and girls, men and boys.
• Ensures that the child safeguarding and protection procedures are understood and adhered to by all staff. Identify and satisfy training needs of local staff as well as CPFs to support understanding and implementation of the Child Safeguarding Policy.
• Job Responsibility #4: Advocacy and Partnerships (10% of Time):
• Develops and strengthens core partnerships and networks with key stakeholders in the gender equality and child protection sectors, including regional networks and multi-lateral institutions
• Drives collective advocacy initiatives at the regional level, contributing to policy papers, standards and tools on child protection and gender equality
• Works in partnership with the Policy and Advocacy team to ensure alignment with prevailing external trends and innovation in the fields of gender equality and child protection, while ensuring that program teams across the region adopt best practices.
Job Responsibility #5: Perform Other Duties (5% of Time):
• Perform other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION:
Required (must have):
• Master’s Degree or equivalent in International Development Studies, Gender Studies, Education, or related discipline (e.g. Social Work and Child Protection)
EXPERIENCE:
Required (must have):
• At least 5 years of experience in dealing with issues of gender equality and child protection issues within public institutions, UN agencies and/or the international system
• At least 3 years of working experience at the international level in a similar role.
• Experience in designing development projects and programs with a gender and child protection lens.
• Experience with the monitoring and evaluation of programs with a gender and child protection lens
• An understanding of humanitarian, development, child rights and gender issues that is particular to Right To Play project locations
• Familiarity with and experience in quantitative and qualitative participatory research methods
Desired (an asset):
• Other language skills, particularly French and/or Portuguese
• Experience in sport and play programming
• Experience in quality improvement
• Experience working in child protection
• Experience in strengthening civil society organisations
• Coaching background
• Child protection and gender mainstreaming and governance background
• Knowledge of adult learning
TECHNICAL SKILLS REQUIRED:
• Proficiency in use of Microsoft applications, including Excel, Word
• Good skill at using financial software applications
• Skilled in maintaining documentation
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Good knowledge of accounting practice, policies and procedures
• Proficiency in both spoken and written English language
COMPETENCIES / PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
• Ability to work in a dynamic, evolving, energetic, fast-paced international work environment
• Ability to work well under pressure, handling multiple demands that are non-sequential
• Excellent writing, editing, and problem solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Consistently communicates a compelling vision that generates excitement, enthusiasm and commitment to the group’s mission, purpose and goals
• Good team work ethic, and also capable of working independently
• Demonstrates an ability to adapt, learn and change through self-awareness and management of emotions and an ability to develop supportive and productive work relationships
• Applies culturally appropriate approaches to communicate and interact with the Right To Play team and other diverse audiences
• Demonstrates a commitment to and understanding of children’s rights and protection
SPECIAL CONDITIONS:
• Ability to travel internationally is required
Compensation: We offer a competitive salary and benefits package
Employment Start Date: Immediately
Contract Duration: Full time, contract position until September 2017with possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funds.
HOW TO APPLY:
If you are interested in applying for this position, please send your resume and cover letter to:UgandaHR@righttoplay.com and kindly include “Africa Child Protection and Gender Officer” and your name in the subject line. Please indicate your salary expectations in the cover letter.
While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Right To Play is a child-centered organization. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the safety and protection of children in our programs. The successful candidate will be required to provide a satisfactory police record check as a condition of employment.