Plan Ghana, an international child-centered community development organization, is looking for a dynamic and results-oriented person to fill the position of Child Protection and Advocacy Specialist. The position is located at the Ghana Country Office, Accra and reports to the Program Support Manager (Strategy).

Job Purpose

To lead and provide technical expertise in the design and management of child protection programmes, particularly using the Child-Centred Community Development approach.

Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position

•   Develops and manages the implementation of the child protection and participation program component of the CSP to achieve the set objectives in a quality and timely manner to support the fulfilment of the rights of the child.
•   Provides technical support to PUs in the implementation of all ROC related programme activities.
•   Provides technical support in building the capacity of CBOs to enhance their capacity and improve their performance.
•   Facilitates situational analysis, baseline studies, monitoring and evaluation of ROC activities: in the PUs to identify current situations, future impacts and guide implementation.
•   Liaises with Grants department in sourcing adequate funds both internally and externally for the implementation of ROC activities as outlined in the Country Programme.
•   Develops training programmes, and facilitates training of staff, partner NGOs and project communities to improve the delivery of educational programmes.
•   Conducts regular visits to the PUs to provide technical guidance to staff for effectiv4 implementation and management of all ROC related programme activities.
•   Facilitates building of partnerships, networks coalitions and alliances with other stakeholders to participate in and support collaborative efforts in addressing child right programs.
•   Liaises with other Technical Specialists to ensure effective integration of Education, Health Water and Sanitation, Child Protection and Household Economic Security programmes for the integration of Plan program activities.
•   Ensures Gender is mainstreamed in all ROC related program in the CSP and maintain gender sensitivity towards staff and Plan associates to avoid gender discrimination.
•   Ensures Child Protection is mainstreamed in all ROC related program in the CSP to meet program goals.
•   Ensures rights based programming in all ROC related national policy to make Plan
•   Liaises with other Technical Specialists to ensure effective integration of Education, Health, Water and Sanitation, Child Protection and Household Economic Security programmes for the integration of Plan program activities.
•   Ensures Gender is mainstreamed in all ROC related program in the CSP and maintains gender sensitivity towards staff and Plan associates to avoid gender discrimination.
•   Ensures Child Protection is mainstreamed in all ROC related program in the CSP to meet program goals.
•   Ensures rights based programming in all ROC related national policy to make Plan recognized voice in the domain in country
•   Ensures Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is well integrated in all ROC programme activities to assure child protection in the country programme.
•   Conducts ROC related researches to inform Plan’s advocacy strategy.
•   Ensures effective ROC Management Information System (MIS) is in place to support Knowledge Management.
•   Participates in the development of action plans and budgets and provides assistance to implement them to achieve program goals.
•   Prepares and submits quarterly work plans detailing tasks (including monitoring plans) to be undertaken and indicators of performance and prepares progress reports for work implementation.
•   Participates in regular Technical Support Team meetings to discuss work progress and develops appropriate strategies to ensure the attainment of project objectives.
•   Participates in, and contributes to regional, sub-regional and national networks and aI1iances on partnership development and other ROC initiatives in the light of the CCCD approach.
•   Writes and submits Child and Protection related write ups tor publication to share internal and external audience monthly and quarterly
•   Develops/initiates and supports partnership with research institute to improve program activities.
•   Fulfills Plan’s Child Protection Policy at all times to protect children from all forms of abuse
•   Performs any other duties that maybe assigned to support the achievement of organizational goats.

Dealing with Problems

•   Designs, develops and supports that implementation of Child Rights and Protection within the organisation
•   Puts in place creative and easy-to-understand approach that would support staff to understand and implement child rights and protection programming
•   Works with minimum supervision
•   Analyses issues for decision-making to strengthen and support delivery of child rights and protection programming that meets organizational requirements and refers to high manager for approval.

Communications and Working Relationships

•   There is a medium contact with community members, children and other stakeholders develop and implement programs that would meet Plan Ghana’s child rights and protection program implementation.
•   Maintains high contact with staff working on child rights and protection program activities at PU level to offer support for understanding and implementation of child rights al protection related activities
•   There is a low contact with other staff to support them with understanding child rights al protection and supporting in the implementation of related activities.

Knowledge, Skills, Behavlours, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Master’s degree in Human Rights or equivalent
•   A University degree in Child Psychology, Social Science, law or equivalent
•   At least 5 years’ experience in a child protection related field of practice
•   At least 5 years’ experience in the civil service would be an added advantage
•   At least 5 years’ experience in an international organization similar to Plan would be added advantage.

Demonstrated behaviours needed by the post holder to successfully perform the role

•   Knowledgeable of the UNCRC and Child Protection Policy and practices in Ghana.
•   Develops, motivates, coaches and promotes high performance by Education staff al collaborators.
•   Teamwork.
•   Communicates clearly and effectively.
•   Develops winning grants proposals.
•   Works in a participative community approach.

Skills Specific to the post needed to put knowledge into practice.
Excellent knowledge of the Rights of the Child
Analytical skills
Communication skills, appropriate to an audience
Excellent report writing skills
Strong team-building and motivational skills.
Strong negotiating, facilitating and influencing skills.
Proficient in Microsoft office applications and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing; spreadsheet, database, internet programs.

Travel requirements:
This position requires about 40% travel within Plan Ghana’s program units and outside the country

Level of Contact with Children:
Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children
The job responsibilities of this position require occasional contact with children and it is expected that children shall be protected at all times.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Interested applicants should submit the following documents in addition to a cover letter:-

•   Detailed Curriculum Vitae stating current and latest posts (WITH DATES) as well as summary of job responsibilities
•   Certified photocopies of relevant certificates of highest academic qualification
•   Names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers of three (3) Referees (work-related)
•   Personal contact telephone numbers and e-mail addresses
•   Salary expectation and other benefits

Applications should reach:

The Country Human Resource Manager,
Plan Ghana,
Private Mail Bag, Osu Main Post office, Accra,

Or to

Plan Ghana Country Office,
No. 10 Yiyiwa Street, Abelemkpe, Accra

•   Only shortlisted candidates would be contacted.
•   Female candidates are encouraged to apply

Plan is an equal opportunities employer, committed to the protection of children and gender equity and our recruitment procedure reflects this. Selected applicants will be expected to comply with the child protection policy of the organization.