Child Protection Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is an international, non-governmental organization
(INGO) that responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and
livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives.
Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from
war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who
remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries, we improve
outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education, and power.

In oPT, the IRC began planning to reopen an oPt country program in mid-2022 and launched an
emergency response in Gaza in October 2023. Since then, the organization has been supporting a
network of local partners in both Gaza and the West Bank to sustain critical health, protection,
food security, cash, education, and early childhood development interventions. Together with its
partners, the IRC is also deploying emergency medical teams to provide surge clinical capacity in
hospitals and other health facilities. Currently, the IRC is scaling up its direct program
implementation in Gaza in protection, with a particular focus on child protection programming.

SCOPE OF WORK:

Under the direct supervision of the Emergency Child Protection Coordinator and in close
collaboration with IRC’s Protection Consultant and Protection Sn Officer:
• Support the start-up of IRC’s Child Protection Response in Gaza, with a particular focus on
child protection programming targeting unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) and
other children at risk of or experiencing violence, neglect, abuse and exploitation
• Support the set-up of a community service tent / “safe space”, providing the entry point for
IRC’s child protection programming in Deir-Al-Balah, in close collaboration with the
Emergency CP Coordinator and IRC staff on the ground in Gaza.
• Support the development and timely execution of procurement requests to start up child
protection programming.
• Identify, train, and closely supervise and support community workers to facilitate CP
activities in the community service tent.
• Identify, train, supervise and support community outreach workers to start CP programming
in communities and provide targeted support and care for UASC
• Closely work with community workers to ensure that IRC’s child protection activities are
implemented in line with IRC’s program guidelines and implemented according to CP best
practices, minimum standards and principles.
• Support the identification of children who have been separated from their caregivers and
who have been harmed or are at-risk of harm.
• Ensure that registers of children, caregivers and community workers are accurately recorded
and reported.
• Receive referrals from other sectors for CP and ensure that children and caregivers are wellintegrated
into CP activities and services.
• Based on needs, provide individual protection support to children who are at risk of or have
experienced abuse, neglect, exploitation, and/or violence, or were separated from their
usual caregivers.
• Ensure that UASC are supported and cared for according to their needs and in line with IRC’s
program guidelines and CP best practices, minimum standards and principles.
• Stay informed about the child protection situation and developments within the
communities and surrounding areas.
• Attend trainings organized by the IRC.
• Provide translation and interpretation at meetings, visits and/or documents.
• Promote and adhere to the principles, objectives and code of conduct of the IRC.
• Act both professionally and personally in a manner that brings credit to the IRC and does not
compromise its humanitarian mission.
• Work together with the other IRC departments, including nutrition / health / WASH /ECD, as
well as supply, operations, safety and security and other relevant sectors.
• Conduct any other task requested by the Emergency CP Coordinator to enable, develop and
support the quick start-up of IRC’s child protection program in Gaza.

SPECIFIC TASKS AND DELIVERABLES:
• Supported the start-up of IRC’s Child Protection Response in Gaza, with a particular focus on
child protection programming targeting UASC and other children at risk of or experiencing
violence, neglect, abuse and exploitation.
• Supported the set-up of IRC’s community services tent / “safe space” with a focus on child
protection activities to be implemented
• Identified, trained and worked with community workers to start-up CP programming
according to IRC program guidelines, CP best practices, minimum standards and principles.
• Attended relevant trainings organized / facilitated by IRC.
• Supported with any other request as requested by the CP Coordinator.

PAYMENT RATE:
Will be discussed with the consultant.

REQUIREMENTS:
• BA or equivalent in Social Work, Psychology, Education, Human Rights, Social Science,
Humanities or other related field. MA preferred.
• At least 2-3 years’ experience in implementing child protection programs, in humanitarian or
development settings.
• Demonstrated understanding of working with children, particularly vulnerable children and
children at-risk of violence, exploitation abuse or neglect as well as children who have been
affected by conflict, disasters or other humanitarian crises.
• Previous experience of working with unaccompanied and separated children is of great
advantage.
• Good knowledge of the local communities and context in Gaza, particularly in the area of
Deir-Al-Balah
• Ability to multi-task, attention to detail, and a strong sense of personal integrity.
• Ability to work independently and problem-solving abilities.
• Willingness to work and put in extra hours in emergency situations.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Fluent in English and Arabic