Child Youth Protection and Development (CYPD) Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC opened its offices in Burundi in 1996 and initially focused on life saving interventions and provision of immediate assistance to refugees and IDPs.  IRC Burundi now focuses on development-oriented interventions in order to support the country’s transition to lasting peace and stability.  

IRC Burundi has worked with at-risk children and youth since it began operations in the country. At present there is a strong and dynamic CYPD program consisting of support to unaccompanied minors and separated children, best interest determination (BID) and child protection assistance for Congolese refugee children, child protection systems strengthening, deinstitutionalization of children currently living in residential centers, family-based economic strengthening, a comprehensive livelihoods package for youth and education services for Congolese refugee children. With the leadership of the CYPD Coordinator, the program is expected to maintain its place as a leader in child protection as well as continuing to develop new opportunities for education and youth and livelihoods as well as generating evidence in the three areas: child protection, education and youth & livelihoods.  

Scope of Work

The Children Youth and Protection Coordinator provides overall strategic direction and vision for the extensive CYPD program portfolio. In addition to overseeing the implementation of the activities listed above, the position plays an active role in the general strategic leadership of the country program. The position also serves as a representative of the CYPD program at various levels including the national and local government, international and local NGO partners, UN organizations and other strategic partnerships. The position reports to the Deputy Director for Programs. 

Key Responsibilities

• Representation & Partnership
  • Form strong relationships with relevant Ministry officials, maintaining the IRC as a key actor in child protection issues and advocacy at the national level
  • Develop, maintain and/or initiate partnerships with community based organizations, NGOs, UN Agencies and Government Ministries to support CYPD programming
  • Represent the IRC at program-related coordination meetings, ensuring proper dissemination of information among relevant stakeholders
  • Support key staff to establish and/or maintain coordination mechanisms at provincial level; support transfer of these responsibilities to relevant government bodies
• Program Management and Development
  • Coordinate and support CYPD projects within the IRC Burundi
  • Ensure the continued implementation of the IRC Burundi CYPD Country Sector Strategy, and lead the revision of this document in coordination with the technical unit
  • Identify new funding opportunities and develop proposals in line with the Country Sector Strategy; ensure technical quality of proposals and reporting
  • Develop and maintain a monitoring and evaluation plan, including the systematic collection and analysis of data, in collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator
  • Develop synergies with other programming areas as well as coordinate with various technical support units to ensure quality programming
• HR Management
  • Lead CYPD team and directly supervise project coordinators
  • Participate in recruiting, training and mentorship of CYPD staff
  • Ensure that CYPD staff have regular performance evaluations and receive  ongoing feedback
  • Develop a capacity-building plan for CYPD staff and actively seek out formal and informal training opportunities for staff
• Budget, Administrative and Grants Management
  • Ensure grants are implemented according to donor regulations and guidelines
  • Review budget vs. actual reports, providing feedback as necessary; oversee development of spending plans
  • Ensure CYPD staff and partners understand and respect the IRC Way regarding sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment and financial misappropriation
  • Ensure the timely submission of donor reports

Requirements

• At least five years experience in development implementing child protection, vocational or formal education programs or youth development programmes
• Demonstrated expertise in a child or youth related field, protection, social work, education, community work or a related field (Master’s degree preferred)
• Understanding of how to support the transition from direct service delivery to working in partnership with local actors (government ministries, civil society organizations, etc.)
• Planning, monitoring and evaluation skills; academic experience in research preferred
• Personnel management experience, including capacity development and team building
• Experience in an emergency or post-conflict context preferred
• International experience, specifically in Africa
• Ability to work well both within a team and independently in a challenging, fast-paced multicultural environment
• Willingness and ability to spend 50% time in field sites
• Strong communication and inter-personal skills
• Ability to speak, read and write French and English to a high level (native English- or French-speaker preferred