Child Protection Officer - SOS Children’s Villages Ghana

SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES GHANA is a child welfare organization that provides a stable Family-Like Care (FLC) for children in need. We also provide social services for families at risk through our Family Strengthening Projects. Currently, we operate in four locations; Tema, Asiakwa, Kumasi and Tamale with the National Office in Accra. Applications are invited from suitably qualified and dynamic persons for appointment as

Child Protection Officer

The Child Protection Officer will oversee the child protection aspect of the PUNBO project (Pukparilim Nyela Bom’ma Project) in the Northern Region of Ghana. This project aims to increase income and employment opportunities for small farmers while addressing child protection issues and gender-based violence in the community.

Responsibilities include

Child Protection Planning and Implementation

• Develop and implement a comprehensive child protection strategy that aligns with project goals and international standards.
• Coordinate the execution of child protection activities and integrate them into the broader project framework.

Child Labour Prevention

• Design and implement initiatives to prevent and eliminate child labour in the communities.
• Collaborate with community leaders, Child Protection Committees (CCPCs), and Religious and Traditional leaders to raise awareness and enforce laws against child labour.

Child Marriage Prevention

• Develop and implement strategies to prevent child marriages in the selected communities.
• Work with community structures to raise awareness about the negative impacts of child marriage and advocate for its prevention.

Victim Support and Counseling

• Establish mechanisms for identifying and supporting child abuse victims in the project communities.
• Coordinate with local service providers to offer counselling and support services to abused children and their families.

Community Awareness Campaigns

• Design and execute community-wide awareness campaigns on child protection issues, including child labour, child marriage, and gender-based violence.
• Engage with local media, schools, and community leaders to amplify awareness efforts.

Committee Establishment and Strengthening

• Establish new Child Protection Committees (CCPCs) or strengthen existing ones to ensure effective response mechanisms.
• Collaborate with CCPCs, local authorities, and NGOs to create a supportive environment for child protection.

Gender Sensitization

• Develop and implement initiatives to promote positive masculinity and challenge traditional gender norms.
• Engage male caregivers in educational programs to foster a supportive caregiving environment.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Implement monitoring mechanisms to track the prevalence of child protection issues in the communities.
• Prepare regular reports on child protection activities, achievements, and challenges for internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications include

• A degree in social work, child protection, psychology, or a related field. A master’s degree is an advantage.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing child protection programs in development contexts.
• Strong understanding of child rights, child protection laws, and gender issues.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in community mobilization, awareness campaigns, and capacity-building programs.
• Knowledge of the local context and cultural sensitivity, with proficiency in local languages in the Northern Region preferred.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
• Fluency in English