Finland: Child and Youth Protection Specialist

Purpose of the Position: 

This role is an exciting opportunity to provide technical support to FCA’s Country Offices (COs) in mainstreaming child and youth protection and ensuring relevant mechanisms and policies are in place in CO and SAC (Service and Accountability Center) levels. The core aim is to provide technical expertise and internal capacity building to support the integration of child and youth protection aspects in FCA’s programming.

Specifically, the post holder will be accountable for (1) provision of child and youth protection technical support to country offices in the development and implementation of high-quality, integrated programming, including through deployment of approx. 50% of working time; (2) working together with FCA Service and Accountability Centre to identify and address strategic needs and priorities on child and youth protection mainstreaming; (3) contributing to internal technical approaches and tools, evidence generation and standard setting relating to child and youth protection at FCA.

The protection specialist will be working within the Strategy Development Unit (SDU) of the organisation, reporting to the Deputy Executive Director. This is a new position in Finn Church Aid (FCA). The position isbased in Helsinki, but working in a country where the applicant has a work permission can be considered case by case.

Key Tasks: 

• Provide technical support and coaching to Country Offices (COs) on mainstreaming of child and youth protection into programming and projects, particularly EiE projects.
• Carry out assessments of CO practices and capacity on child and youth protection and support COs to improvement and action plans based on the findings.
• Support COs in developing and improving the referral and follow-up mechanisms and relevant tools on country level.
• Use best practices from COs to draw up a child protection policy to be implemented on global level.
• Support Country Offices in identifying relevant protection partners on country level.
• Represent FCA in jointly agreed child and youth protection networks for mutual learning.
• Work together with FCA Senior thematic advisors on Right to Quality Education and TVET to ensure strategic alignment of child and youth protection activities across all education programmes.
• Work in close collaboration with FCA Safeguarding staff in SAC and COs.

Required Skills and Experience: 

• Strong technical knowledge and experience on child and youth protection, preferably from humanitarian settings.
• Understanding of principles, practices, minimum standards, and policy priorities, related to child and youth protection.
• Experience in capacity building on child and youth protection approaches.
• Experience of Education in Emergencies programming and child and youth protection integration into EiE considered an advantage.
• Experience and understanding of psychosocial support considered an advantage.
• Ability to undertake significant and regular international travel, at least 50% of time.
• Strong skills and experience of working as a part of and with field teams and partners of diverse cultures and capacities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching, with both internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications: 

• Advanced University degree in social science, humanitarian studies, education, child protection or related field.
• At least five years’ experience, of which at least 2 years in safeguarding and child protection in humanitarian and development contexts.
• Fluent spoken and written English required, Arabic and/or French considered an advantage

The position is permanent, with six months’ probation period, starting as soon as possible. The compensation is based on FCA Compensation System and depends on prior work experience.

For more information, please contact Senior Thematic Advisor Ms.Pauliina Kemppainen by e-mail pauliina.kemppainen@kirkonulkomaanapu.fi

Please apply by using the link no later than on 10th of March 2023. Applicants will be short-listed and contacted for an interview on a progressive basis.

How to Apply: 

Application link: https://fca.rekrytointi.com/paikat/?o=A_A&jid=607

Finn Church Aid (FCA) is Finland’s largest development co-operation organization and the second biggest organization in Finland working in humanitarian aid. FCA is a founding member of the international aid alliance of churches, the ACT Alliance. We seek positive change by supporting the most vulnerable people in fragile contexts. We specialize in supporting local communities’ right to peace, livelihoods and quality education. Qualified and interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion, or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy.

FCA practices zero tolerance on sexual exploitation and abuse, including child abuse in all forms. FCA has zero tolerance concerning aid diversion and illegal actions and may screen applicants against international lists to ensure due diligence and compliance with Anti-money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism requirements.

FCA is certified against the Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS).