Child Protection Case Management TA

ROLE PURPOSE: 

The overall goal of the Child Protection (CP) Case Management (CM) National Technical Advisor (TA) is, under the lead and line-management of the CM International TA and in collaboration with Child Protection and MHPSS TAs, to strengthen the quality of Save the Children’s child protection case management program in Ukraine. The CPCM National TA will be particularly responsible for supporting Case Management Coordinators and Partners in field offices across SCI operations in Ukraine. 

Specifically, the CPCM National TA will provide hands-on high-quality technical support to CP Managers, CM Coordinators, and Partners, to substantially strengthen CM capacity and improve child protection processes, grounded in the Inter-Agency Case Management Quality Assessment Framework (QAF) and drawing from SCI Steps to Protect Common Approach. The CPCM National TA will support the implementation of child protection activities to children who have been harmed or are at risk of being harmed due to violence (physical, emotional, sexual), abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and children who have suffered devasting experiences because of war and displacement.

The CPCM National TA will have a technical focus on child protection case management procedures, including (together with the CM International TA) the development of procedures for CM for children in institutions and children from institutions who are reunified with their biological family or placed in foster care. S/he will support needs assessments, proposal and budget development, reporting, and contextualization of technical tools for case management and alternative care.

The CPCM National TA will focus on building Save the Children’s technical capacity and quality internally and will, together with the CM International TA, play a lead role in external child protection coordination, mainly to support SCI role as co-lead of the Ukrainian Case Management Working Group (CMWG). The CPCM National TA will support on the development of Save the Children, as well as child protection inter-agency tools and SOPs to harmonize practices and ensure shared resources. 

This role includes a leading role in the roll-out of the inter-agency Child Protection Information Management System (CPIMS+), both internally in Save the Children, with partners and in the inter-agency CMWG. The CPCM National TA will work closely with staff on information management, ensuring case files are completed and stored according to quality standards, and case management data is ready to be provided for analysis and reporting.

The CM National TA will primally be based in Kyiv, but will spend at least 50% of her/his time at field locations to provide hands-on technical mentoring and supervision to CP Managers, CM Coordinators and Partners in addressing their main capacity-development and technical needs, such as – but may not be limited to – how to handle individual (complex) cases, strengthen usage of common tools and forms, contextualization of Emergency Case Management Funds and Cash for Protection criteria and approaches. 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Ensuring high technical child protection CM capacity, standardising tools and approaches

• Alongside with the CM International TA, ensure that child protection case management programs implemented by SCI and Partner organizations are aligned with local child protection systems where possible and adhere to inter-agency and SCI specific standard operating procedures, minimum standards, and technical guidance. 
• Support field-based child protection case management teams and partners to understand and effectively use case management tools and forms.
• Provide direct support to CM officers and CM coordinators from SCI and Partner organizations to build their soft skills, such as communication with children, empowering children and families in crisis and strengthening the MHPSS component in case management. More tasks related to capacity strengthening are further detailed in the following heading. 
• Under supervision of the CM International TA and in collaboration with the Child Protection Information Management (CPIM) Coordinator, develop and update SCI Ukraine child protection CM portfolio on a regular basis.
• Support the development and updating of service mapping and referral pathways as needed, in all area offices where SCI operates.
• Serve as a coach to CM Coordinators, to guide them in providing technical support to their teams and partners throughout the child protection case management process.
• Through the CMWG, establish contact with, maintain and strengthen working relationship with relevant government authorities with the aim of improving coordination and develop a harmonized approach to case management.
• Ensure cooperation, collaboration and integration with other sectors and cross-cutting themes with an emphasis om MHPSS.

Capacity building & support, with emphasis of Mentoring and Supervision approach

• Support and facilitate capacity building of field teams and partner organizations in the implementation of SCI Steps to Protect common approach, building on inter-agency Global standards for CP in Humanitarian action.
• In close collaboration with the CM International TA, CP and MHPSS TAs, lead on the development and provision of capacity building initiatives on child protection and case management.
• In coordination with the CM International TA and the MHPSS team, identify capacity building needs and develop a capacity building plan for field-based staff.
• Support field-based SCI and partner’s CM teams to systematically use SCI Mentoring and Supervision approach, with daily interactions both remote and through day-to-day in-person coaching while in field locations.
• Systematically build the capacity of Case Management Coordinators and Program Managers in the role as mentors and supervisors for CWs to ensure that good practices are adhered to and that the inter-agency CP and CM guidelines are followed, and minimum standards are met in their daily work.
• Support field-based CM supervisors and Partners to hold regular case conferences and 1:2:1 meeting with CM staff.
• Provide direct technical support to CWs to respond to complex and high-risk cases.
• In cooperation with the MHPSS TA and Heads of Programme in each operational area, put in place systems for staff care and wellbeing to support the front-line CM staff in a demanding and sometimes insecure working environment.
• Support SC teams in field locations to ensure safe child protection programming.

Case Management specific information management system 

• Lead on the development, implementation and roll-out of the CPIMS+ in coordination with the CM International TA and the CPIM Coordinator.
• Support field staff and partner organizations in the implementation of a CP data protection protocol in case management, ensuring that CWs, supervisors and partners understand and apply data management principles.
• In coordination with the CMWG, support on the implementation of the inter-agency Information Sharing Protocol (ISP) and ensure that it is understood and implemented at all stages of the case management process.
• Provide technical management and support to staff on information management ensuring case files are completed and stored according to quality standards, and case management data is ready to be provided for analysis and reporting.

Alternative Care 

• Alongside with the CM International TA and the Alternative Care and Deinstitutionalization TA , develop guidelines on alternative care and FTR for SCI Ukraine, including the family reunification process for children from institutions and support to children from institutions who are placed in foster families.
• Support the Child Protection Tas, the Alternative Care and Deinstitutionalization TA and CP Teams on Alternative Care and FTR to support the process of care reform and deinstitutionalization in Ukraine. This includes capacity building to staff and partners on case management and FTR, and technical advice related to family based alternative care.
• When required, represent SCI and lead on the interaction and coordination with national authorities on De-institutionalization and alternative care for children from institutions. 
• Alongside with the CM International TA and the Alternative care and Deinstitutionalization TA, support with providing direction to CP field teams on DI and placement of children from institutions in family based, alternative care, coordination with national and local authorities on the topic.

External relations and coordination 

• Liaise with humanitarian actors, authorities, and community to increase the quality of the CP case management service provision and disseminate information to ensure participation and access of children to CM services. 
• Under the supervision of the CM International TA, represent SCI in the coordination with national government entities, specifically on thematic areas related to DI and Child Protection System strengthening.   
• Support implementation of and adherence to inter-agency CM guidelines and tools for case management in the humanitarian response in Ukraine.
• Participate in other working groups when relevant, such as the MHPSS and CP AoR.
• Represent SCI case management work in internal or external visits and calls where needed. 

Support the CM international TA in Co-leading the inter-agency Case Management Working Group

• Support the CM international TA in playing a leading role in external child protection coordination, mainly to strengthen SCI in the role as co-lead in the CMWG in partnership with UNICEF. 
• Promote a commonly agreed, harmonized approach, practices and tools for case management among child protection case management actors and other relevant stakeholders.
• Under the lead of the CM international TA, support the development and roll-out of the inter-agency information management system (CPIMS+) as a common case management tool across agencies.
• Under the lead of the CM international TA, support the CMWG to develop and implement inter-agency Monitoring and Evaluation systems on the coverage and quality of case management (staff ratios, timeframes, documentation, feedback mechanisms) - develop/agree on interagency indicators on case management reports, strengthen the feedback system.

MEAL, reporting and documentation.

• Work with the PDQ MEAL team to ensure a variety of age- and gender-appropriate accountability mechanisms. 
• Train and conduct case file audits and case management and alternative care quality benchmarks.
• Support the CM international TA and the CPTAs in drafting donor reports based on trends of cases, as needed.

Other

• Ensure strict adherence to the principles of child protection and child safeguarding at all times, including respect for confidentiality and always acting in the best interests of the child.
• Comply with Save the Children policies and practices with respect to child protection, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.
• In agreement with line manager, perform other required duties within reason (in line with skills and experience).

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Degree level in Social Work, Human rights Law, International Relations, or similar, or equivalent field experience.
• Experience in child protection programming, with significant experience in Case Management.
• In-depth knowledge about the Ukrainian governmental social services, legislation and policy related to child protection.
• Experience in working with government entities in the thematic area of De-institutionalization, and good knowledge about the institution system for children in Ukraine. 
• Ability to work both in an Advisory and a hands-on implementation capacity.
• Previous experience and strong skills on case management, including UASC, FTR, alternative care and DI. 
• Strong soft skills, such as communication skills and proven ability to support, empower and care for field-based SCI and partner’s staff.
• Experience in capacity building and in strengthening various duty bearers understanding of and response to child protection and case management.
• Experience in inter-agency CP work and coordination.
• Experience of representation and ability to represent SC effectively in external forums.
• Excellent communication skills, politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy.
• High level of written and spoken English & Ukrainian. 
• Capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Commitment to and understanding of child rights, the aims and principles of SC, and humanitarian standards such as the Child Protection Minimum Standards and SCI Child Safeguarding Policy. A good understanding of the SC mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support.

Desirable

• Experience in psychosocial support programmes for children, MHPSS background a plus. 
• Good working knowledge of the Inter-Agency Child Protection Information Management System and Primero.
• Previous experience in working with Save the Children or other right based international organizations. 
• Previous experience in field work in CP and CM.
• Specific experience of working in interagency projects.

 WE OFFER:

• Employment in accordance with Ukrainian legislation
• Working hours from 09.00 till 17.00
• Medical and Life insurance starting the first working day
• English courses paid by organization
• Office in the central part of the city
• Coffee and cookies in the office

Child Safeguarding: 

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. 

Health and Safety:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures. 

If you are interested in the vacancy, we are looking forward for your application. A СV in English will be an advantage. Also, we will be grateful if you indicate the expected salary level and the level of English language proficiency.