Annex to Competency Frameworks: Collaboration Across Child Protection and Education in Emergencies

The Inter-agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) and The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (the Alliance) are global networks of actors working on education and child protection in emergencies/humanitarian settings.

Education in Emergencies (EiE) and Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPHA) actors work side-by-side to respond to the holistic needs of children and youth affected by emergencies, crises and forced displacement. Integrating child protection and education creates a mutually reinforcing cycle that can reduce children’s vulnerability in emergencies and increase the positive impact of programmes on children's lives. A quality education increases children and families’ resilience in adversity, empowers children and promotes a protective environment. An environment free from unchecked child abuse, neglect, violence or exploitation promotes participation in education. Integrating child protection and education programmes, policies and minimum standards maximises available resources to better address the multifaceted challenges and risks children face in humanitarian settings.

Both the INEE & The Alliance have developed competency frameworks for practitioners in each sector, related closely to the INEE Minimum Standards for Education in Emergencies, and the Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. This annexe has been developed to support collaboration between the two sectors by providing an easy way to identify areas of alignment.

Integrated programming requires practitioners to understand and demonstrate some of the key competencies of each sector. Managers should be aware of what integrated programming means for required competencies and how through cross referencing the competencies they can support staff to deliver more collaborative approaches. In practical terms, this will include some technical skills (See Specific Competencies) but with an emphasis on the softer skills that support cross-sector collaboration and integration (See General Competencies).