Children affected by the earthquake in Haiti require protection from physical and psychosocial harm while the family, community and government systems and structures adapt and rebuild. Preventing children from being separated from their families and caregivers is a cross-cutting theme across all child protection work and across the strategy.

CRS is currently assembling a field protection team to prevent and/or respond to these concerns, as appropriate, throughout the five departments where CRS is working. This team will work closely with the communities to establish a system for Interim Care, or temporary placement for separated and unaccompanied children as a result of the January 12 earthquake while the Family Tracing and Reunification process takes place. The team will consist of 1 Protection Project Officer and 5 Community Animators who will be responsible for Interim Care activities in the five departments where CRS is taking the lead in a country-wide strategy.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
• With support from the CRS Program Manager for Protection of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC), manage the implementation, monitoring and reporting of a country-wide strategy for Interim Care for separated and unaccompanied children.
• Manage, support and guide a team of 5 animators in the field (5 departments).
• Work with the OVC PM to guide the process of identification and selection of host families (“familles d’accueil”) for temporary care of Orphans and Vulnerable Children.
• Work with CRS staff in the field to provide support to orphanages that provide Interim Care to separated and unaccompanied children.
• Conduct trainings on community mobilization and community outreach with 5 field animators.
• Work with the NGO community and other partners to coordinate activities in the field – making use of networks of community based organizations, churches, and community leaders.
• Work closely with the Protection of OVC PM to analyze the needs of the community and the capacity to respond to the needs of separated and unaccompanied children in each department.

Qualifications:

• Qualification in social work, counselling, teaching, child care or related area strongly preferred
• 5 years relevant professional experience in this area
• Past experience in crisis or humanitarian emergency situations desirable
• Good management skills, and experience in managing and supporting others in the achievement of established goals and priorities
• Thorough understanding of protection concerns and considerations as they affect displaced communities during humanitarian crises
• Experience of working closely with both small and large groups, and strong skills in the use of participatory and inclusive methodologies for engaging with communities
• Strong understanding of sensitivities and differing needs related to gender, age and diversity
• Full understanding of the different elements, factors and dynamics that can both enhance and minimise vulnerability
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage busy workload, to multi-task, to handle pressure well and to improvise
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing situation and context
• Ability to handle sensitive situations and information appropriately, and a proven ability to negotiate and dialogue on sensitive issues
• Strong interpersonal, communication and training skills
• Ability to self-motivate and to show initiative
• Strong problem solving skills and the ability to find creative solutions
• Experience in advocacy of government authorities and/or other target groups for the achievement of specified goals
• Commitment to protection and to the delivery of impartial and neutral delivery of humanitarian aid based on need
• Commitment to the ‘Do No Harm’ principle, and an understanding of the potential negative impacts of community liaison and community mobilisation work
• Willingness to travel to the field
• Fluency in Creole, professional proficiency in French, English proficiency preferred

Interested candidates should send their curriculum vitae with a cover letter, and copy of certificates in a sealed envelope with the mention of P-POVC-0310

2010-04-06