United Kingdom: Children Protection Advisor - Children Associated with Armed Forces & Groups

A phenomenon we often see in our countries of operation is that of children recruited to serve in armed groups and forces. Either from organised or spontaneous demobilisation these children find themselves returning to their communities, but in need of significant support to reintegrate into society. For several years War Child has been developing programmatic expertise and a global influencing profile in the field of supporting the reintegration of children formerly associated with armed forces and groups. In 2019 we made the decision to distil our lessons learned, develop programmatic tools and enhance our advocacy so that War Child will be in a position to share our experience with the wider sector, donors and other institutions. This role will lead on bringing these elements together and ensuring that War Child has a powerful and influential voice on reintegration.

If you share our values and believe that children’s lives should not be torn apart by war, we want to hear from you.

Child Safeguarding and Adults at Risk: 

Our work with children and at-risk adults to keep them safe is the most important thing we do. We are committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults in all areas of our work. We have zero tolerance for any behaviours and practices that puts children and/or vulnerable adults at risk of abuse and/or harm.

About Us: 

War Child, the specialist charity for children affected by conflict. For more than two decades we’ve delivering high-impact programmes that are rebuilding lives across Afghanistan, Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic and Yemen. We understand children’s needs, respect their rights, and put them at the centre of the solution - from reintegrating children formerly associated with armed groups and armed forces (CAAFAG) in the Central African Republic to reuniting children with their families in Afghanistan. We look forward to a world in which the lives of children are no longer torn apart by war. This is a vision that can only be realised through the collective actions of children themselves, communities and their leaders, organisations like War Child, governments and key decision makers.

Your Role: 

This role will support the overall implementation of War Child’s reintegration thought leadership pillar through convening and leading key stakeholders internally to develop thought leadership, advocacy and programmatic strategies built on operational themes such as a focus on women/girls, engaging youth and communities. The postholder will exploit influencing opportunities, develop programmatic strategies and tools and support our fundraising for thought leadership in reintegration

Your Responsibilities: 

Advocacy, communication, and collaboration (40%): 

• Provide expert advice and specialist knowledge on reintegration of CYAAC (including CAAFAGs) and build on this to develop policy and advocacy strategies to drive policy changes in these areas.
• Lead on identifying those with the power to implement our policy recommendations - and those who can influence decision-makers – and deploy tactics that have the best chance of influencing them to support our advocacy objectives.
• Convene and lead key stakeholders externally – including INGOs, donors, UN agencies, Academic institutions– to develop joint positions on reintegration related policy issues and together have greater impact with decision-makers.
• Act as an external representative for WCUK briefing journalists on our policy recommendations and priorities and advising the media colleagues on policy content and advocacy strategy.
• Represent War Child as required, at meetings, events, roundtables etc – with parliamentarians, UN representatives and high-profile journalists – and building our reputation in the sector through developing an extensive network of contacts.
• Represent War Child on the CPHA CAAFAG Taskforce.

Innovative and Evidence-based Reintegration programming (40%): 

• Provide expert advice and specialist knowledge on child protection reintegration of CYAAC (including CAAFAGs) across the organisation – from programmes to fundraising. Travel to country programmes, and advocacy events.
• Support the development and roll out of internal funding strategy for reintegration with relevant departments.
• Provide technical support around reintegration programming for CYAAC (including CAAFAG, GBV Survivors, UAM, IDP/refugee populations, children engaged in WFCL) to WCUK country programs.
• Development, testing and evaluating tools and methodologies with country programmes and other stakeholders.

Learning and Research and capacity-building (20%): 

• Support scoping mission around reintegration work in WC UK countries of intervention to identify gaps and opportunities in terms of research and programming.
• Commission and conduct high quality research and policy analysis to support and evidence War Child’s reintegration priorities and enhance our credibility and impact.
• Collation of primary evidence and secondary desk review, disseminating best practices, lessons learned, in collaboration with others.
• Based on WCUK’s programmatic work, research and policy analysis, commission and support the development and testing of guidance tools to support WCUK’s work and those of others.
• Contribute to creating a culture committed to the safeguarding of children and adults and compliant to WCUK’s Child Safeguarding and Adults at Risk Policies.

These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the role.

You Are: 

• Experienced at leading on the development of policy and advocacy in key areas on child rights and protection, at convening and leading key stakeholders in the development of joint policy positions and strategies, and at being the ‘go-to’ person on these issues in an organisation.
• Experience of operating programmes in and willingness to travel to conflict affected countries
• Experienced in developing tools and methodologies to support practical implementation
• A specialist on CAAFAG reintegration, children’s rights, and development with extensive experience implementing reintegration programming on a country-level
• Capable of distilling complex research and information into priority policy recommendations and advocacy asks that are clear, concise, and evidence based. Able to navigate complex policy issues competently and diplomatically – proposing solutions and recommendations that advance an agenda and gain respect externally
• Demonstrated ability to monitor policy application and compliance, including ability to take corrective action.
• Experienced in managing budgets and proven track record in applying financial management requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate annual planning and strategy development processes.
• Experience of successful advocacy with institutional donors and in securing multi-year donor funding.
• Confidence in dealing with people at all levels and ability to influence senior management, as well as external partners and agencies.
• Able to commission and conduct qualitative and quantitative research, critically analyzing research results, and developing robust, impactful policy recommendations including practical tools to strengthen implementation, on the back of them
• Adept at developing intelligent and targeted advocacy strategies that respond to the political and public environment and influence decision-makers to pursue political and policy changes
• Capable at developing positive, collaborative, and productive working relationships with a range of colleagues and internal functions
• Advanced degree or equivalent experience
• French and English speaker

How to Apply: 

• Please download the application form here: https://www.warchild.org.uk/who-we-are/jobs
• Submit a completed application form and a recent copy of your CV to recruitment@warchild.org.uk by 11:59pm on 23/02/2023
• Due to limited resources, we will contact only the shortlisted candidates
• Interviews will be held 27th and 28th February 2023.
• If you have any questions about reasonable adjustments before or during your application, we welcome the opportunity to talk about what we can do to fairly adapt our process for you. Please share what you’re comfortable with to help us put the right support in place, by emailing recruitment@warchild.org.uk. Anything you tell us will be kept completely confidential by our HR team.
• We are unable to provide sponsorship for this post. In order to apply, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the country where this role is based.