Child Protection Officer

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

1. Technical Leadership & Capacity Strengthening

Provide technical support, capacity building and guidance on CPHA and MHPSS activities (direct and partner implementation), including but not limited to:

a) Child protection case management (intake, assessment, case planning, implementation, referrals, follow up, case closure).

b) Psychological First Aid (PFA) and safe, survivor centred response for children and adults.

c) Safe identification and referral of child protection cases

d) Deliver on-the-job coaching, structured trainings, and reflective practice sessions; develop SoPs, quick reference guides, and job aids.

e) Ensure adherence to minimum standards, ethical documentation, informed consent/assent, safe information sharing, and confidentiality.

2. Safe & Inclusive Referral Pathways

Support the strengthening of safe and inclusive referral pathways in Binga and Gokwe North. Working in collaboration with relevant stakeholders the role will:-

a) Map, update, and disseminate multi-sectoral referral pathways linking social development, health (incl. MHPSS), police, legal aid, and safe shelter services at community, facility, and district levels.

b) Operationalize referral and counter referral protocols, service directories, and feedback loops; ensure age , gender , and disability inclusive access.

c) Support case conferencing and coordination with statutory actors and specialized services.

3) Integrated CPHA, SGBV, MHPSS and Nutrition Mechanisms

The role will strengthen the integration of CPHA, SGBV and Nutrition mechanisms as follows:

a) Design and operationalize integrated referral mechanisms linking nutrition services (e.g. screening, IYCF, CMAM) with CP and SGBV response.

b) Train nutrition/health and CP/SGBV teams on bidirectional identification, safe disclosure, and safe handovers.

c) Track integration outcomes (timeliness, completion rates, and service uptake) and optimize pathways.

4) Child-Friendly Spaces (CFS) in the targeted districts

The role will support the establishment and functioning of child-friendly spaces within the two targeted districts providing:

a) Safe, structured, age-appropriate activities.

b) Basic PFA, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and Psychosocial Support (PSS) for emotionally distressed children.

c) Ensure inclusion, safeguarding, accessibility, and quality control (activity schedules, facilitator ratios, child safeguarding standards, feedback mechanisms).

5) Lead Interpersonal Group Therapy (IPT G) session with targeted populations

a) Plan and deliver 8-session IPT G cycles targeting lactating mothers, teen mothers, and adolescent SGBV survivors.

b) Working with health officials and DSD, identify, train, and supervise IPT G facilitators; monitor attendance, fidelity, and wellbeing outcomes; ensure safe and confidential locations with referral back up.

6) Child Protection Case Management

a) Support DSD provide comprehensive case management for girls and boys at risk or experiencing violence, abuse, exploitation, and neglect including those affected by drought and climate shocks identified during screening.

b) Ensure best interest procedures, safe case documentation, and secure data storage (e.g., case files/CPIMS+ where applicable).

c) Coordinate with statutory service providers for urgent protection and life saving interventions.

7) Complaints & Feedback Response Mechanisms (CFRM)

The role will collaborate with MEAL to:

a) Operationalize and manage CFRM at community and facility levels, ensuring multiple safe access channels (including for PSEAH)

b) Ensure timely logging, classification, referrals, resolution, and feedback to complainants per policy.

c) Analyze trends and use findings to improve program quality and accountability.

8) MEAL, Reporting & Quality Assurance

a) Develop and apply quality benchmarks, supervision checklists, and fidelity tools for CFS, IPT G, case management, and referral pathways.

b) Work with MEAL to track indicators, maintain disaggregated data (age, sex, disability), and support safe data management and reporting.

c) Produce timely progress reports, case studies, lessons learned, and learning briefs.

9) Coordination & Representation

a) Represent the project in district and sub national CP, SGBV, Health, and Nutrition coordination platforms.

b) Strengthen collaboration with social development, health facilities, law enforcement, legal aid, and shelters.

c) Support advocacy on safe, inclusive services and child sensitive procedures.

10)Safeguarding

a) Promoting and abiding by Save the Children policies and procedures including but not limited to: Child Safeguarding Policy, Gender equality mainstreaming, PSEAH; Code of Conduct, Data Protection, Transport Policy, Financial Policy, IT Policy and all other related mandatory responsibilities.

b) Raising awareness to all beneficiaries ongoing, age-appropriate verbal or written information in relevant languages about the conduct they can expect of Save the Children staff/representatives in relation to the Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.

c) Facilitate partner support with focus on operationalization of safeguarding framework

QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum qualification of a Social Science degree preferably Social Work or Psychology Degree.
  
• Specialized training in Child Protection case management, SGBV survivor centred response, and PFA/MHPSS.
  
• Training or experience in IPT G facilitation is a strong asset.
  
  
  
  EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
  
• 3+ years managing integrated CP/SGBV programming at community and health facility levels.
  
• Proven experience establishing and managing referral pathways and case management systems (preferably CPIMS+ or equivalent).
  
• Demonstrated experience setting up CFS/Children’s Corners and delivering PSS/SEL activities.
  
• Experience coordinating with social development, health, police, legal aid, and shelters.
  
• Experience operationalizing CFRM/CRM, AAP (Accountability to Affected Populations), and PSEA reporting.
  
• Experience in climate/crisis affected contexts and linking nutrition & protection services is highly desirable.
  
• Good interpersonal and advocacy skills and ability to network
  
• Excellent research and report writing skills
  
• Computer literacy
  
• Fluency in written and spoken English, Shona, Tonga and Ndebele.