Senior Child Protection Advisor

Job Title/Req: Senior Child Protection Advisor – Protecting the Rights of Children and Families
Location: Democratic Republic of Congo

*** PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING***

1) This announcement is for a proposal and employment is contingent on Heartland Alliance being awarded the project.

2) When you apply for this position, you will be required to select a US state from a drop down menu. If you are not residing in the US currently, you will still need to select a US state in order to proceed with the application process. The remainder of the address fields are text boxes in which you can type in your actual location.

Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights is a non-profit 501(c)(3) service-based human rights organization founded in 1888 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Heartland Alliance advances the human rights and responds to the human needs of endangered populations – particularly the poor, the isolated and the displaced – through the provision of comprehensive and respectful services and the promotion of permanent solutions leading to a more just global society.

Overview of the Senior Child Protection Advisor Position
Heartland Alliance seeks candidates for Senior Child Protection Advisor for an upcoming five-year USAID-funded program to protect vulnerable children and families from human rights abuses, exploitation and family separation by preventing and responding to vulnerability and abuse, and by supporting interventions that build the capacity of families, communities, NGOs, the private sector and GoDRC to prevent and respond to abuse. The anticipated start date for the program is early-to-mid 2012.

The Senior Child Protection Advisor will provide overall direction and guidance to all aspects of the program’s work focused on child protection.

Requirements
Education and/or Experience:
- Master’s degree in Social Sciences, such as international development, social work, public policy, or other areas directly related to providing services to vulnerable populations, or equivalent experience;
- At least five years of experience in the field of child protection, human rights, and/or the protection of vulnerable groups, at least some of which was in a development context;
- This experience should include experience with programming for the reunification and reintegration of children;
- Experience in DRC or in Sub-Saharan Africa is highly desirable;
- Sound understanding of Congolese development needs and political environment;
- Fluency in written and spoken French;
- Strong communication, and interpersonal skills and the ability to develop excellent relationships with Congolese counterparts and donor officials;
- Previous experience working with international development implementing partners is strongly encouraged.

Other qualifications:
- Sensitivity to and intimate knowledge of children and families’ human rights and an ability to support and strengthen the autonomy of grassroots organizations/associations;
- Strong commitment to advancing human rights;
- Strong M&E skills and experience;
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents.
- Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
- Strong negotiation skills and ability to remain composed and professional in difficult circumstances.

This announcement is for a proposal and employment is contingent on Heartland Alliance being awarded the project. To apply, send an email with the job title in the subject heading. Include CV, cover letter – send to [email protected].