Prevention Focal Point

Plan works for girls’ rights. Harmful barriers like child marriage, human trafficking and gender-based violence are preventing girls and young women from achieving their full potential. Plan, along with government and private partners, fights against harmful gender norms and empowers young people to create positive change in their communities. We have worked in communities for more than 80 years and provide locally-driven programming through 240 offices around the world.

Plan International USA is fully committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people from all forms of violence.

Over the past decades, tremendous work has been done to improve the capacity of the child protection sector to respond in crises with acceptable quality. However, little has been done on systematic prevention of harm in humanitarian settings. Preventing harm before it occurs not only preserves the dignity and humanity of the affected population but is also cost-effective. The public health sector has had enormous success improving the wellbeing of the population through primary prevention, with minimal cost as compared to medical interventions.
In the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025, Prevention is identified as a priority. Plan International, with funding from USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, is supporting the Alliance’s strategic priority on Prevention by developing a Framework of Action for Primary Prevention in Child Protection in Humanitarian Action.

Plan USA is seeking an experienced and enthusiastic professional with a focus on preventative approaches to child protection. The Prevention Focal Point will report to the DRM Manager – Child Protection Specialist.

Scope of the Work

The Prevention Focal Point, under the supervision of the DRM Manager – Child Protection Specialist, is expected to:

• Support the maintenance of an inter-agency and multi-disciplinary advisory group and ensure inter-agency buy-in;
• Ensure the the activities on the workplan are on track, including securing support from member agencies, leading on activities related to the Prevention strategic priority, and follow up as necessary etc. The work plan includes the following activities. However, the consultation with the advisory group may lead to some changes.
• Develop framework of action on implementing preventative approaches for Child Protection in humanitarian settings
• In collaboration with the Learning and Development Working Group, develop training material on the framework
• Support translation of the material to other languages (contingent on availability of funds)
• Organize formal e-launch of the final framework

• Provide support to Working Groups, Task Forces, and other initiatives within the Alliance to provide input related to prevention;
• Engage with different Global Interagency Networks and Initiatives (such as CPAoR, the Global Partnership to end violence against children, etc.), as necessary;
• Support knowledge management for sharing of best practices on prevention and dissemination of materials as required;
• Lead on resource mobilization and partnerships to fill knowledge and evidence gaps regarding prevention in Child Protection in Humanitarian settings;
• Support the Alliance in its advocacy work related to this topic;
• Support report writing, financial reporting and reporting on indicators, including compliance standards, etc.;
• Support other relevant activities of the Alliance, including the organization of the Annual Meeting.

Requirements

Essential

• Advanced university degree (Masters or above) in relevant fields, including social work, public health, psychology, etc;
• A minimum of 5-years’ experience in related fields –child protection in humanitarian settings;
• Understanding of the concepts of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention;
• Familiarity with the role of the Alliance in the Child Protection sector;
• Knowledge of the humanitarian-development nexus and its implication on child protection programming;
• Experience working in a member-based organization or network and/or in coordination roles;
• Excellent research, analytical and writing skills, with the ability to draft an evidence informed report/document;
• Fluent verbal and written English;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to successfully interact with a diverse group of people;
• Flexible work attitude, with the ability to follow direction and work independently across a virtual work environment;
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to independently track and follow-up on various tasks;
• Collaborative work style, with strong team-player attitude and ability to identify gaps and to take initiative to fill them;
• Previous experience working on projects that require a highly iterative and consultative process, with the capacity to incorporate multiple levels of feedback and perspectives in final products.

Desirable

• Field experience working in child protection in emergencies highly recommended;
• Working knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic and/or Portuguese, with ability to conduct interviews in these languages highly desirable.

Job Type: Temporary