Position:                               Child Protection Assistant (1 position)

Duty Station:                          Hargeisa, Somaliland

Duration:                                One Year (possibility of extension)

Start Date:                              04 January 2025

Issue Date:                             26 December 2024

Closing Date:                         02 January  2025

Background

The University of Hargeisa was founded in 1998 and became operational in 2000. Today, it holds a paramount role in the educational landscape of Somaliland as the national university, established under a presidential charter. As a publicly chartered institution, it operates under the legal framework provided by this charter, signifying its magnitude and authority within the nation’s higher education sector.

The main objectives established at the university include teaching, research, and community outreach services.  The Legal Clinic, Human Rights Unit which is under the umbrella of the University of Hargeisa, was established in 2002 by the UNDP. Today, it is the leading department that provides, university community outreach services, especially Legal aid services, GBV, Child protection, and community-based protection services to the Forcibly displaced persons, Host communities, and people with specific needs.

Legal Clinic was become a Partner for UNHCR in 2006. Since from that period Legal Clinic works with UNHCR as partner. This makes Legal Clinic, Human Rights Unit one of the oldest local partners of the UNHCR Somaliland office today.  During that period, the Legal Clinic, Human Rights Unit have been committed to the community-driven protection throughout the regions of Somaliland.

In 2025, the Legal Clinic, Human Rights Unit will partner with UNHCR to implement the “Strengthening the Protection Environment for Refugees through Targeted Assistance” project. The project will focus on GBV, child protection, justice (legal assistance), community-based protection, and support for individuals with specific needs. This project aims to improve the protection environment for refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, IDPs (forcibly displaced persons), and stateless persons.

The University of Hargeisa Legal Clinic, Human Rights Unit, seeks applications from competent and experienced candidate for the following position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Peaceful Co-existing Centre (PCC)  Coordinator  and the overall supervision of the Program Manager  of the project,  the incumbent will undertake the following responsibilities:

• identify, document, support and respond to cases of vulnerable and at risk children to access basic services and receive other support as required.
• Monitor, conduct case by case follow ups and facilitate the alternative care and reunification process of unaccompanied and separated children.
•  Take lead in identification of cases for children with protection concerns using Case Management forms, including the Best Interest Assessment and Best Interest Determination forms.
• Identify, document support children and families in need of individual support, including but not limited to separated and unaccompanied minors.
• Refer cases with specific needs to the competent service providers, follow up and document referred cases.
• Ensure that urgent cases are immediately discussed with direct supervisor.
• Conduct follow-up and monitoring visits and provide psychosocial counselling  or other support, depending on the child’s needs.
• Establish and support community based mechanisms, including selection, training and community awareness, coordination meetings of the community representatives,
• Conduct community awareness on child protection concerns, identification of vulnerable children and the process of registration/document of separated/unaccompanied children including family tracing.

• Conduct community consultation on temporary care arrangements of separated/unaccompanied or abandoned children.

• Work with cultural sensitivity and respect the dignity of vulnerable children, youth and families
• Conduct meetings and focus group discussions with beneficiaries (parents, children, and youth) on the delivery of services and support implementation of remedial measures on gaps identified.
• Registers information collected through appropriate reporting tools and report this information to the supervisor.
• Work with communities and specifically the community committees to Identify cases of Children in need of protection support.
• Work closely with community leaders, as well as other child protection services available, including child friendly spaces.
• Conduct outreach to assess, Mapp and provide support to the child during house visits, consistently conduct outreach and follow up.
• Liaise with children and families to ensure that vulnerable cases are resolved in a swift and appropriate manner using appropriate child protection protocols.
• Provide information and advice to the forcibly displaced persons on available or existing social services and how to access them.
• Work as a member of a team ensuring fluid communication of relevant information in order to make sure that a proper management of the case is preserved.
• Facilitate community committees and parent support groups meetings in the targeted villages.
• Work in close collaboration with the child protection actors and community members to strengthen the referral system and community based support system.
• Work with community-based protection team of the Peacefull co-existing center (PCC)  to support with the other Legal Clinic community based-protection services of the PCC.
• Facilitate, collect and report information regarding the overall situation of child protection risks, with particular attention on vulnerable/at-risk children.

additional job responsibilities:-The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Qualifications, Skills and experiences

• University Diploma, preferably in social work, Community development, Human Rights, or related field from a recognized institution of higher learning
• at least 3 years’ experience working with children and/or youth protection
• Good understanding of children rights and other human rights legal instruments
• Proven knowledge in children and youth protection
• Familiar with community based approaches
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Ability to conduct assessment/ outreach at the community level.
• Possess positive interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to work to tight deadlines and under pressure.
• Experience in designing and facilitating community level training sessions
• Basic computer skills
• Team player
• Good understanding and experience of working with the forcibly displaced persons is a definite advantage.

COMPETENCIES AND BEHAVIOURS

• Delivers timely and appropriate results
• Plans, prioritizes and performs tasks well without needing direct supervision
• Understands the link between his/her work and the organization’s objectives
• Gathers the right information and uses critical thinking to make effective and timely decisions
• Knows when to involve others in a decision
• Simplifies processes and procedures wherever possible
• Delivers work that reflects a good knowledge and application of technical and professional standards
• Keeps up to date with trends in their work area Maintains ethical and professional behaviour.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Qualified and interested applicants are encouraged to submit curriculum vitae, testimonials and a letter of interest stating suitability for the position to vacancies.hr@uoh.edu.so with the subject heading “ Child Protection Assistant” before or on 2 January 2025.