Technical Advisor II: Child Protection Advisor

Global Health Fellow Program II

Technical Advisor II: Child Protection Advisor

Technical Assistance Group, Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, United States Agency for International Development

Location: Washington, DC

Assignment: Two year fellowship

GHFP-II-P3-102

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual working planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.

Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.

BACKGROUND:

The Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) within USAID is responsible for facilitating and coordinating US Government (USG) emergency assistance overseas. As part of USAID’s Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, OFDA provides humanitarian assistance to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the social and economic impact of humanitarian emergencies worldwide. Within OFDA, the Technical Assistance Group provides technical oversight and support for a variety of humanitarian sectors.

INTRODUCTION:

OFDA defines protection as humanitarian assistance activities designed to mitigate risks and address the effects of harm, exploitation, and abuse for disaster-affected populations. Populations affected by disaster often face challenges that material assistance alone cannot adequately address. Conflicts and natural disasters often separate families, disrupting normal care-giving for children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The resulting displacement, loss of family members, or disruption of livelihoods may increase vulnerability to violence, exploitation, and abuse for men, women, and children.

Conflict often increases exposure to threats such as attacks or landmines. Disaster-affected populations face protection challenges such as these in many countries around the world. In response, OFDA supports stand-alone protection activities aimed at minimizing risks and addressing the effects of harm, exploitation, and abuse, as well as by working with implementing partners to incorporate protection principles into all other relief activities through protection mainstreaming. OFDA supports stand-alone protection programs focused on child protection, psychosocial support, prevention and response to gender-based violence, and protection coordination and advocacy.

The Child Protection Advisor will be part of the Technical Assistance Group’s protection team, receiving day to day guidance and onsite management from the Internal Displacement and Protection Advisor.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary responsibilities of the Child Protection Advisor include:

• Providing technical support and advice related to child protection and psychosocial support interventions in disasters to OFDA and other USAID staff based in Washington, DC or in field offices.

• Reviewing funding proposals submitted by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and United Nations partners for humanitarian response and disaster risk reduction; providing technical feedback on proposals related to protection mainstreaming and technical standards for child protection and psychosocial support.

• Participating in OFDA meetings with the USG agencies related to child protection and psychosocial support at global, regional, or country levels.

• Responding to information requests related to OFDA’s work addressing child protection issues or psychosocial support activities.

• Liaising with NGO partners, other donor agencies, and the international humanitarian community, particularly as related to child protection and psychosocial support.

• Participating in the development of new and revised training materials, including reference documents and curriculum design, for the OFDA Protection Workshop.

• Participating in assessment teams, Disaster Assistance Response Teams, Response Management Teams, and other office duties as requested.

International travel to the field to assess protection concerns or monitor ongoing protection programs as necessary.

Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the Technical Advisor’s own interests.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree or higher in public health, social work, international development or related field.

• Minimum five (5) years’ experience in child protection or related field with at least two (2) years’ experience in child protection work in international or resource challenged setting.

• Experience in humanitarian assistance desired.

• Comprehension of guiding concepts of emergency child protection interventions in developing countries.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write technical documents and deliver presentations and trainings.

• Strong interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in an independent capacity and as a member of the team.

• Ability to travel internationally on pre-planned trips as well as rapid deployments.

• US citizenship required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs. Please view the benefits information on our website at https://www.ghfp.net/fellowships/benefits-and-Allowances/.

How to apply:

All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II’s online recruitment system athttps://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/, which allows you to store your CV, profile and bio data form in our database. A separate cover letter describing your qualifications and experience, interest and familiarity with issues relating to this position, and how this position relates to your career goals is required for each application All applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on January 3, 2014.

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