Child Protection Advisor (Maternity Cover)

Temporary, Full-time · Amsterdam office, London office

Your mission
As a Child Protection Advisor you will have proven expertise and experience in the field of Child Protection in Humanitarian Action. 
 
You are responsible for the global coordination of War Child’s Child Protection technical area with a focus on support to War Child’s child protection evidence based methods (EBMs). You ensure guidelines and tools for Child protection EBMs are in place and user friendly; support partners and regions to adopt and roll out EBMs within their programmes; lead the process for Child Protection related EBM quality assurance and learning and support the coordination of capacity building and training requests. You promote collaboration, knowledge exchange and learning across a group of child protection advisors based in our country and regional offices, furthering the quality of War Child’s programming. You contribute to sector knowledge and represent War Child Alliance within inter-agency networks.
 
Travelling to country offices of the War Child Alliance, its affiliates and elsewhere might be  required to fulfil the obligations of this role.

Team

You are part of the Programme Quality team within the Programme Quality, Scaling and Advocacy Department and report to the Head of Programme Quality. You work in close collaboration with programme colleagues and management in the global office and regional offices as well as other departments in the organization. 
 
You collaborate closely with the Research & Development Department and teams working to further War Child’s scaling strategy, and support the design and roll out of evidence-based methodologies relevant to child protection. You also collaborate, as needed, with the Institutional Funding, Advocacy and Humanitarian Response teams.

What you will do: 

  • Provide technical quality assurance of War Child’s  evidence-based methodologies to scaling partners, as part of WCA’s scaling strategy.
  • Facilitate the development and lead on the socialisation of organisational policies, SOPs, tools and standards for Child Protection.
  • Support programme teams, including our scaling partners, to adopt and implement EBMs within their programming approach, including ensuring the appropriate knowledge and skills are in place. Represent, and build up the profile and reputation of War Child's programme quality and child protection work in internal and external networks and bodies, driving collaboration and engaging with other teams such as R&D, Scaling, Advocacy and Emergency Response. 
  • Support the recruitment of new program staff, consultants or other external support, in coordination with human resources.
  • Contribute to creating a culture committed to the safeguarding of children and adults and compliant to War Child’s Safeguarding policies.
 
Key Result Areas for Maternity Cover
 
Promote Excellence in thematic and cross-cutting areas
  • Work collaboratively with Research and Development and scaling teams to ensure all tools, processes and systems are in place for selected child protection and PSS focused evidence-based methods (primarily SEEDs and Reach Now) to be rolled out within WCA and scaled externally, including learning trajectories and the Quality of Care indicators, processes and systems
  • Chair Evidence Based Method ‘core teams’ to provide technical support and analyse learning on the implementation of War Child’s evidence-based methods (SEEDs and Reach Now)
  • Provide technical support and guidance to global strategic partners on the scaling of evidence-based methods (SEEDs and Reach Now), including onboarding.
  • Facilitate the finalization and implementation of child protection thematic guidelines in close collaboration with Regional / Country Office thematic advisors and PQ technical advisors, including supporting integrated thematic work.
  • Contribute to an integrated approach between education, child protection, MHPSS programmes, including supporting efforts to create integrated, interconnected models of existing Evidence Based Methods for scaling partners and beyond.
  • Represent War Child and participate in global/ inter-agency networks and bodies that are relevant to the achievement of War Child’s mission and contribute to the implementation of their work plans. 
  • Provide technical input and coordinate child protection colleagues through the revision and implementation of thematic guidelines and a programmatic Theory of Change.
 
Promote and support technical knowledge and learning 
  • In collaboration with child protection and Learning colleagues coordinate/facilitate/conduct and develop learning in child protection to strengthen the capabilities of War Child staff and/or its scaling partners, with a focus on evidence based methodologies. 
  • Lead scalable approach (e.g., blended/ e-learning) to strengthening of capabilities of stakeholders who are implementing evidence-based methods (SEEDs and Reach Now)
  • Promote War Child as a learning organisation and ensure priority child protection learning needs are mapped.
  • Ensure regular adoption and analysis of global child protection indicators, in close collaboration with Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) colleagues and in support of War Child’s Global Monitoring Framework.
  • Coordinate internal child protection working groups, communities of practice and/or networks, with a focus on evidence based methods and an emphasis on implementing common plans, mutual learning and strengthening of programme quality in child protection.
 
Uphold minimum standards and mitigate risks
  • Where relevant, facilitate the development of policies, SOPs, tools and standards to be used across War Child countries to support technically sound implementation and measures for programme accountability.
  • Support development and implementation of War Child’s Quality & Learning Framework. 
Your profile
Essential: 
  • Relevant academic background on areas related to child protection, particularly child protection in humanitarian action. Masters’ level is an asset.
  • At least 5 years’ experience in area of expertise, of which at least 3 years significant experience of working in a (post) conflict setting and with the international development and humanitarian sectors.
  • Strong advisory and influencing skills, with a strategic thinking mindset.
  • Proven experience with context analysis, needs assessments, proposal design and programme/grant management cycle.    
  • Proven experience developing frameworks, toolkits, guidance and other relevant learning materials. 
  • Working knowledge of integration of child protection with education and MHPSS, 
  • Experience in developing methods, tools, programs/interventions, learning, development and delivering training.
  • Strong remote and in-person coordination skills (e.g. coordination of working groups, networks, communities of practice), as well as facilitation skills.
  • Solid communicator, willing to share knowledge, best practices and experience.
  • Able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, positive and professional attitude, ability to lead and work well in a culturally diverse team setting and with multiple partners. Strengths include listening, empathy, flexibility, and creativity.
  • Knowledge and experience in Monitoring & Evaluation of child protection programmes.
  • Sound knowledge and understanding of children’s rights.
  • Fluency in English, including strong written skills and the ability to communicate complex information in an effective way. 
Desired
  • Master's level education. 
  • Good working knowledge of Spanish, French or Arabic.
  • Experience with scalable and/or research-based child protection approaches.
  • Experience onboarding external staff on new approaches, tools, processes and systems. 
  • Knowledge of localisation and anti-racism issues and practices in humanitarian aid and development sectors.
  • Knowledge of geopolitical trends and conflicts in the world.
What we offer
What We Offer:

At War Child, we believe in creating an inspiring and rewarding work environment that values your contributions. Here's what you can expect when joining our team:
  • Location : Amsterdam or UK. Preference is given to applicants who reside and have valid working permits. War Child does not offer relocation.
  • Contract Duration: 1 year 
  • Working Hours: 26.5 hours per week or 3.5 working days (71% FTE if UK based)
    • Contract Type: Dutch contract provided that you have the right to work there.
      • Salary range if based in Amsterdam: from 2728.6 – 3,392.9 EUR per month  (the exact step determined by the years of relevant working experience)
      • 19.6 vacation days  (consisting of 17.6 vacation days plus 2 additional fixed free days)
      • A pension scheme fully paid by War Child.
      • Compensation for travel and work from home costs.
      • Laptop to work from any location and monthly mobile phone contribution of € 25.
      • Professional Development: Opportunities for capacity building and growth, both within the role and through War Child’s broader network.
    • Contract Type: UK contract provided that you have the right to work there
      • Salary range if based in UK £33,250 - £40,530 GBP per annum .
      • Flexible working policy
      • 19.6 vacation days
      • Pension contribution from War Child
  • Meaningful Impact: The chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families affected by conflict, contributing to long-term, sustainable change.
  • Equal Opportunities: War Child is an inclusive employer committed to diversity and inclusion, respecting all individuals regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or physical ability.
  • Workplace Culture: War Child is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace that prioritizes safety and fairness for all individuals. We strictly prohibit any form of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying within our organization


Why You Should Apply
  • Make a Real Impact: Your work will directly contribute to providing quality education to children who need it most, creating lasting change in their lives.
  • Career Growth: Join a dynamic organization that values your professional development and offers opportunities for learning, growth, and innovation.
  • Global Reach: Play a key role in scaling a ground-breaking programme that operates in multiple conflict-affected regions around the world.
  • Collaborative and Mission-Driven: Work alongside passionate colleagues and partners united in a mission to protect children and help them thrive despite adversity.
 
How to Apply
Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by February 27, 2025. We are reviewing submissions on a rolling basis, so early applications are strongly recommended. 

Disclaimer
  • Only applications received via our website are processed.
  • If we appoint a suitable candidate before the given closing date, we reserve the right to remove the vacancy from our website before that date. In such a case, any responses received after that time are not processed.
  • It could be that during our selection process the closing date for the vacancy is extended. If so, and you have not yet heard from us, your application will remain active.
  • We have the right to close the advert before the deadline if we received many applications 


 By submitting your application you certify that all of the statements made in your application are true, complete, and correct and are made in good faith. You understand that falsifying, misrepresenting or intentionally withholding information will be grounds for rejection of your application or withdrawal of any offer of appointment or, if an appointment offer has been accepted, this will be ground for employment sanctions, such as, but not limited to, instant dismissal. In addition, you understand that you need to submit a Criminal Record Certificate and that, if you fail to submit it, no employment relationship can be established.

War Child is an international organisation, and we are committed to be a diverse and inclusive employer, placing human and child rights at the centre of our existence and work. We hire our new colleagues based on their talents, competences and shared values; we do not distinguish them based on their age, gender and gender identity, race, color, ethnicity, religion, culture, sexual orientation, disability etc.

The safety of children and youth is a paramount and essential to War Child’s work. War Child has a zero tolerance policy towards any form of abuse. To prevent placing children and youth at any risk this subject is addressed in our recruitment and selection procedures. Moreover, the accepted candidates will be required to state their commitment/ intent to be aware, consider and adhere to the minimum standards applicable in development and humanitarian settings, such as humanitarian values and principles, Sphere Humanitarian Charter, Standards in the Humanitarian Standards Partnership, Core Humanitarian Standard, International Humanitarian Law, Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Disaster Relief and IASC Six Core Principles Relating to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
About us
About us
The War Child Alliance is an international non-governmental organization committed to providing psychosocial support, child protection, youth empowerment programming and quality education to the children affected by armed conflict. We implement evidence-based interventions to empower key stakeholders—including governments, educators, caregivers, and communities—to foster children’s wellbeing, education, and self-determination. War Child has a presence in 19 countries: Jordan, Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territory, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Colombia, Burundi, DR Congo, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Uganda, Ukraine, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Learn more about War Child and our programmes https://www.warchild.net/ 

Safeguarding
War Child is committed to humanitarian values, standards and norms and we expect the same from job applicants. War Child is especially committed to safeguarding the children and youth we support and doesn’t tolerate any form of abuse. Because we want to prevent and deter any actions that place children and youth at risk, conduct references are an important part of our recruitment procedure. As part of the selection process, War Child will request standardized references in accordance with the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and a recent Criminal Records statement.
The safety of children is essential to War Child. War Child does not tolerate or accept any form of abuse. This subject is addressed in our recruitment and selection procedures.
 
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
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