JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Head of Advocacy and Social Work

Reports to:EFECT Project Manager

Location: Based in Monrovia with frequent travel to field sites in Montserrado, Margibi and Maryland

PROJECT SUMMARY

Street Child of Liberia (SCoL) – through its main partner Street Child UK – is implementing a four-year Education For Every Child Today (EFECT) project nationwide. This project will target enrolling and retaining 13,500 highly vulnerable primary school age children into education.

The project uses a child-centered approach and a combination of interventions to confront compounded challenges. A strategic combination of social, economic, infrastructural, and instructional support will be utilized to achieve increased access and retention in primary education for 13,500 vulnerable children in Liberia.

Job functions Summary:

The Head of Advocacy & Social Work is responsible for coordinating, maintaining, and enhancing the EFECT Project’s advocacy and social work components. Duties and responsibilities include project strategy development and implementation, supervision and support for staff, and innovation for continuous quality improvement.

How to apply? Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit their detailed CV with a cover letter (maximum 2 pages each) along with other relevant certificates to the email scoljobs@gmail.com with copy to atehmeh@street-child.org. You are requested to mention the title of the position on the subject line of the e-mail while applying. Last date for the submission of CV’s is 31th January at 04:00 pm. Street Child of Liberia reserves the right to accept or reject any or all CV(s) without assigning any reason. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained.

“The Recruitment Processes will be ongoing while receiving applications”.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the implementation of the SCoL EFECT Advocacy strategy in line with EFECT overall advocacy strategic plan.
• Coordinate and manage EFECT Social Street Workers and Rural Advocacy Officers to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the project outreach goals.
• Ensure that all staff under his/her supervision implement activities in line with EFECT project strategy and best practices.
• Support the identification of beneficiaries and mapping of communities that meet EFECT selection criteria and require appropriate advocacy messages.
• Lead the development of case studies and learning approaches to showcase the successes and challenges of project advocacy and Social Work approaches.
• Support the monitoring, evaluation, and the learning processes related to advocacy and social work at the national level.
• Completion of regular reporting and required data submission.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues to ensure regional coordination and harmonized advocacy and social work engagement.
• Coordinate the development of beneficiaries’ case files including identification, documentation, and follow-up.
• Contribute to the development and review of project tools on advocacy and social work.
• Conduct regular coaching and mentoring sessions for staff working in advocacy and social work in the EFECT Project.
• Ensure safeguarding is mainstreamed in all social work and advocacy activities.
• Will represent SCoL in Child Protection Network and advocacy forums, as well as identify/monitor opportunities to participate in relevant events/meetings on behalf of SCoL.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

EDUCATION AND JOB-RELATED SKILLS

• The ideal candidate should possess at least a degree in education, social sciences or equivalent in related areas
• Experience in community advocacy and social work preferred
• Excellent writing, copy editing, and proofreading skills
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of case management and safeguarding
• Excellent communication skills in multiple local languages and English
• Ability to collaborate with a variety of other partners in advocacy and social work fields
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines in the fast-paced work environment
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs

RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of three years’ experience in a similar role, two of which are at managing a team preferred.
• Effective training and capacity building skills, proven capacity to work in teams, to create multi-stakeholder networks
• Experience line managing and coaching staff
• Experience working with children, caregivers, and other vulnerable groups
• Experience developing and running case management systems and overseeing its’ rollout
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding and child protection policies and its application in education, advocacy, and child protection programs
• Knowledge of key advocacy approaches such as promoting gender equality and children’s voice, inclusive education and building role models,
• Demonstrable working knowledge of supporting and working with communities and schools
• Data comprehension and analysis skills
• Experience of working on internationally funded projects by donors such as EU, FCDO, USAID and UN agencies an advantage

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

• Ability to coordinate, manage and inspire staff to work as a team to deliver the project’s Advocacy and Social work mandate efficiently and cost-effectively
• Excellent high-level networking skills and ability to build and sustain relationships with key partners,
• Demonstrable high-level advocacy and communication skills
• Ability to travel including on short notice
• High sense of confidentiality & integrity
• Good problem solver who can think on his/her feet
• Hands on and strong multi-tasker

FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

• Organizes and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources, and multiple reporting relationships
• Plans, coordinates, and organizes workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines
• Establishes, builds, and maintains effective working relationships with staff and partners to facilitate the provision of support
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view

Street Child of Liberia is committed to the safeguarding and protection of the communities we serve, our partners, our volunteers, and our staff. As part of this commitment to safeguarding, safeguarding questions will be included in interviews and all offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate background checks.