Kenya: Child Rights and Safeguarding Advisor

Plan International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organization working for better lives for all children. We are independent of government and have no political or religious affiliation. Our purpose is to strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries. Our global strategy has a specific focus on girls, as they are often the most marginalized and most often left behind. We have committed ourselves to the ambitious target of reaching 100 million girls over 5 years, to ensure they can learn, lead, decide and thrive. This is our contribution to reaching the sustainable development goals, and in particular the goals on gender equality. Our organization is transforming itself to meet this enormous challenge everywhere we work. We need bold, forward-thinking and innovative individuals to lead our country operations, driving change and delivering results that will allow us to reach our target of 100 million girls.

With over 38 years of experience in implementing its programme, Plan International Kenya (PIK) mainly operates in 11 geographical areas; Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Tharaka-Nithi, Siaya, Kwale, Kilifi, Homa Bay, Kisumu, Marsabit and Tana River.

OUR STRATEGY STATEMENT: 

Plan International Kenya’s (PIK) strategic goal in the next five years is to end teenage pregnancies and end all forms of sexual and gender-based violence against adolescent girls and young women. We aim to help create an enabling environment where girls and young women are safe, valued, equally cared for, and have equal opportunities. PIK will contribute to the global strategy by aiming to reach directly approximately 2.75 million (children, including girls and young women over the period of the strategy 2022-2026 and to reach additional beneficiaries through its interventions.

ABOUT THE ROLE: 

The Child Rights and Safeguarding Advisor will lead in defining the Country office agenda for protecting children and young people especially girls and keeping them safe from gender based and other forms of violence. S/He serves as the lead advisor responsible for assessing, designing and guiding a strategy that to address violations of children’s rights to protection from abuse, exploitation and violence. S/he ensures that quality programmes are initiated, and capacities developed in-country and with partners to provide protection interventions. S/he will play a leading role in national level child protection coordination working group and support government efforts to strengthen protection and end violence against children. S/he will collaboratively drive advocacy at the appropriate levels in Kenya and with a view to ending violence against girls and young women.

S/he will contribute to strengthening of internal measures of safeguarding of children and young persons at all levels and efforts to empower them to effectively detect, prevent and respond to all forms of violence, especially Gender Based Violence against adolescent girls and children in and out of school. The role plays a critical role of ensuring that Plan Kenya continues to be a leading agency in safeguarding children’s rights within the organization and among its partners and associates, as well as advocating for the same. The position holder will advise on the implementation milestones of the policy on Safeguarding Children and Young People in Plan Kenya and ensuring compliance to the policy by Plan staff, partners and associates. The position will contribute to business development by supporting intelligence gathering, proposal development, advocacy and donor engagement to deliver on Plan Kenya’s bold ambitions for girls and youth in Kenya.

MANAGEMENT SCOPE & REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Director of Program Strategy, Development and Innovation

Direct reports: Child Rights and Safeguarding Officer

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN:

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT:

• Based in a typical office environment whilst in the Country Office.
• Where required, periodic travel to program units and on occasion international travel may be needed.

ACCOUNTABILITIES & MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES: 

Strategy Design, Planning and Implementation (30%): 

• Take leadership in defining the Child Rights and Safeguarding strategy for PIK and provide guidance in development of an implementation strategy.
• Deliver a policy and advocacy strategy that increases Plan Kenya’s advocacy impact on protection and ending all forms of violence against children with the Kenya government and other external stakeholders where necessary;
• Advocate and negotiate with high level technical experts and government officials, parliamentarians and CSOs;
• Conduct policy analysis to inform advocacy issues and establish and maintenance of dialogue with key decision makers within government.
• Provide technical expertise in on key thematic areas, including but not limited to VAC Plan of Action for Kenya and other pertinent issues in the child protection sector
• In close collaborating with our influencing advisor and communications team, create communications to influence in realization of children and girls’ rights, engagement of girls in policy engagement, and increase in civil society support influencing in child rights.
• Lead development of a CO programme on ending violence against children and young people that is aligned to Plan Kenya’s Country Strategy and Plan International’s Global purpose
• Ensure participation of children and young people in all PIK programmes is meaningful and safe
• Oversee the implementation of right based approach in all PIK projects
• Through a monitoring framework, advise on safeguarding milestone achievements on aligning Country Strategy goals to the Global ambition of reaching the 100 million girls by 2020
• Technically contribute to the designing of a child participation strategy for Plan Kenya, build capacity of the PUs in Child and Youth participation and roll out the strategy
• Provide advice on strategies and approaches in the Country Programme to help contribute to the realisation of both the Country and Global ambition.
• Continually provide technical guidance on the implementation of the policy on Safeguarding Children and Young People by ensuring staff are given orientation on the strategy on recruitment and are taken through in-depth training as per the laid down policies in the organization.
• Advise and monitor Plan Kenya’s partners and associates understand and adhere to the policy.

Programme Quality (25%): 

• Drive technical excellence and support project and country teams to develop, monitor and implement girl and client centred rights programs that are grounded in global evidence, appropriate and meaningful youth engagement;
• Provide oversight and technical guidance in monitoring and harnessing learning from implementing rights projects across the programme areas.
• Drive country office staff capacity in child and girls’ rights programming by providing in-country assistance to build the capacity of teams as well as program and government partners, while keeping abreast of global and emerging evidence and with a view to disseminating both internally and externally;
• Ensure PIK rights programme is aligned to both Global and Regional priorities and the national government policies and sector plans
• Provide technical assistance to support quality design, implementation, monitoring, learning and evaluation of ASRH programs, including efforts on very young adolescents, strengthening demand and supply of SRHR and age appropriate services.
• In close collaboration with M&E team keep track of achievement of the intended outcomes.
• Strengthen the capacity of program implementation teams to develop and to implement innovative rights programme;
• In close consultation with Program Unit managers, provides timely reports, as may be required on the Plan Kenya’s girls and child rights program portfolio, including updates on program/project challenges and successes.
• Provide technical support and guidance to program teams in all related assessments, surveys and studies on safeguarding.
• Review and provide technical input on internal and external reports on safeguarding of children and young persons.
• Continually advise the program teams to ensure Child Protection programming is in line with Plan, government and other relevant recognized safeguarding standards, guidelines and quality procedures.
• Work with program teams to provide evidence of safeguarding interventions and best practices through documentation and dissemination of lessons learnt.

Partnerships, Networking and Influencing (10%): 

• Actively participates in safeguarding eco-systems with the global hub and regional teams as well as within Kenya’s community of practice.
• Collaborate with Business development Unit in developing projects that address safeguarding of children and young person’s concerns in the society.
• Ensure adequate budgeting and resourcing for capacity development and monitoring of implementation of the policy among staff, partners and associates through grants and sponsorship funding.
• Participate actively in programme meetings, planning and review activities, providing enhanced insight into child rights programming.
• Actively participate in key relevant internal meetings such as Programme Review Meetings, Advocacy and Communications or area-based meetings as required.
• Participate in any donor visit to project(s) within the country office portfolio, as required.
• Represent Plan Kenya in relevant national Safeguarding technical working groups and networks.

Resource Mobilisation and Programme Development (10%): 

• Contribute to the growth of Plan Kenya’s child rights portfolio by directly contributing to Plan Kenya’s identification of opportunities, proposal development, including the writing, reviewing and/or editing of technical proposals.
• Continuously monitor and analyse the emerging SRHR situation in Kenya, donor trends and advise management on potential areas for fund raising.
• Provide technical input to inform concepts and proposal development on Child Rights programming.
• Advice on the partnership networks for overall enhancement of the SRHR programmes and impact at the different levels of engagement (County, National and Global).

Financial Responsibility (5%): 

• Monitor programme performance and budget utilization and apply on corrective measures where needed.
• Support the annual planning process to ensure budget are well structured and effectively managed and utilised.

Risk Management (5%): 

• Coordinate and support programme quality and delivery on Child Rights projects audits and adequate application of management response across all impact areas.

Capacity Building (5%):

• Periodically assess capacity gaps amongst staff and partners and advise/organize for capacity building.
• Strengthen capacity of health program staff and partners on current and effective Health interventions, methodologies, policies and guidelines.
• Identify and advice on learning opportunities for staff development.

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) (5%):

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
• Leads the orientation of programme staff to ensure that they are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in project design, during implementation and as principles applied in day-to-day work of Programme team;
• Ensures that Plan Kenya contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.

Other Duties (5%): 

• Any other assignment within the scope of work.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES: 

• Courageous, taking a lead, challenging myself and others to achieve purpose, safeguard others and role model values, inside and outside work. Responsible for my work and learning, striving to improve. Self-aware, resilient and constructive in embracing change. Striving to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. Challenging myself to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.
• Understand and adhere to the policies, processes, practices and standards relevant to own work and keeps their knowledge and skills up to date.
• Collaborating with team members, colleagues and partners in finding creative solutions to problems by sharing information, experience and ideas and actively seeking their input.
• Respecting all people, appreciating differences and challenging inequality in programmes and the workplace. Supporting children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives. Empowering other staff to give their best and develop their potential.
• Achieves desired outcomes and finds innovative solutions by using the expertise and creativity of others and adopting a coaching approach with the people they manage or advise.
• Creates space for reflection and uses external evidence and internal evaluation to identify what and how we need to improve and then to support others through change.
• Understanding Plan International’s purpose, priorities, values and approaches in our work context. Adhering to relevant policies, processes, practices and standards, and being pro-active in continuing technical and professional development.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES: 

• Child and Youth Safeguarding and Protection: Communicates Plan’s commitment to safeguarding through all recruitment and engagement activities.
• Educates internal and external stakeholders in their safeguarding responsibilities. Articulates the purpose, values, and global strategy to a range of audiences. Can explain how Plan International will deliver on its objectives through the theory of change and communicates the implications for their team.
• Child and Youth Safeguarding and Protection: Understands their safeguarding responsibilities in accordance with the global policy. Work actively to safeguard the rights of children and young people
• Understands the purpose, lines of accountability and decision-making capacity for each structural element of the organisation. Helps their team to understand where they sit within the organisational structure.
• Considerate of the political, economic, social and cultural climate of the local operating environment and the implications for our work and are aware of the local business environment, including financial, employment, and business laws.
• Understands digital enablers to improve team performance and working practices. Encourages digital behaviours through role modelling, the personal development processes and capability building. Uses digital and technological tools to support the management of risk, activities and resources, and people and information.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE: 

Qualifications/Experience Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 7 years’ experience, 5 of which are in implementing Child Rights programming at local or national level, preferably with an International Non-Governmental Organization is acceptable.
• Strong and up to date knowledge of child protection/Safeguarding programmes, protection and safeguarding as well as meaningful youth engagement.
• A clear understanding of the strategies for engaging with children and young people in programme activities and advocacy
• Good understanding of child protection systems in the country
• Experience working with civil society and community-based organisations, particularly in Kenya.
• Result oriented, good interpersonal and communication skills including influencing and negotiation
• Commitment to Plan values and willingness to abide by Child and Young people Safeguarding Policy and hold others accountable.
• Good presentation and communication skills
• Proven experience in providing technical assistance to complex protection programs
• Commitment to Plan Kenya’s position on promoting girls’ rights and gender equality and integrating all these aspects in their day-to-day work.
• 3 Years in a leadership/managerial role

Qualifications/Experience Desirable:

• A Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in coaching and mentoring staff on safeguarding initiatives.
• Experience in designing and technical support/management of safeguarding of children and youth
• Good understanding of Safeguarding sector strategies.
• Demonstrable advocacy experience in national and county level on safeguarding systems and structures.

Languages Required:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES: 

Knowledge:

• Building and creating common agendas with governments, the private sector and civil society to integrate children, adolescents, and youth from diverse groups in society by informing gender responsive and inclusive legal frameworks, public policy, budgets, and institutional services.
• In depth knowledge on the root causes, impact and approaches to addressing violence, sexual violence, neglect and abuse.
• Ability to understand gender inequalities and gender discriminatory practices that can cause protection issues and strategies to prevent and respond to these issues.
• Understanding Strategies to prevent all forms of violence and provide support to survivors of violence under 25 years of age i.e., children, adolescents and young people. Strengthen protection systems, family-relations and the resilience of children, adolescents and youth.
• Driving Quality by using strategies for: preventing violence based on an analysis of causal factors, including social norms.
• Working on protection mechanisms at family level, community level, service level. Responding to incidences of violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect; and ensure access to support services.
• Adapting to Context: The effect of humanitarian events including disaster, food insecurity crisis, conflict and displacement on the protection of children, adolescents and youth. How violence and power are manifest in the particular culture and culturally specific features of family relations; the state services present eg. legal, educational and what response is likely to be socially and culturally accepted.

Skills:

• Linking at risk children, adolescent and youth and their families with social protection mechanisms
• Application of strategies to strengthen family and community social supports and solidarity networks
• Gender based violence: Violence (including sexual violence), neglect, abuse and exploitation on grounds of gender identity and discrimination; strategies to prevent and respond to protection issues arising from gender inequalities and gender discriminatory practices.
• Integration of Family and Community based Psycho-Social Support: Coping mechanisms and self-reflection at family and community level; strengthening positive parenting skills; raising family & community comprehension of the impact of trauma on child well-being
• Guide on Child and Family Social Work: case management, counselling, rehabilitation and reintegration of survivors of violence
• Advise on Child protection systems: what such systems include (including community-based child protection systems), how they can impact violence and identifying the entry points for change through strengthening services, programming and influencing policy.
• Builds capability on safeguarding by coaching colleagues and partners, sharing knowledge in networks and communities of practice, leading technical learning and development activities and embedding stakeholder capability building into programme and project design.

Behaviors:

• Engages sensitively with community members on issues of gender equality and inclusion, demonstrating an understanding of the local culture and context.
• Able to view even distressing situations objectively by leaving personal attitudes and judgmental responses to one side.
• Promotes equality, including gender equality, inclusion and girls’ empowerment in Plan’s work and in its work with partners.
• Apply participatory influencing methodologies both internally and externally.
• The ability to build collaborative working relationships.
• Uses creativity to challenge the norm and promote innovation and thinks and acts for the wider organization – linking partnership opportunities with the context of the wider organizational strategy.
• Communicates effectively at a high level and with a range of appropriate styles for different audiences.
• Builds capability through knowledge sharing, networking, mentoring, coaching and advocates the importance of knowledge management.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

How to Apply: 

To apply, please click on the link below.

Career Opportunities: Child Rights and Safeguarding Advisor (46199) (successfactors.eu)

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants' previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Disclaimer: Plan International is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate applicants on any basis. We also do not charge Job seekers any fees at any point of the recruitment process.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.