Job Description:

The Child Protection Specialist will play a pivotal role in providing technical support and guidance on child protection issues, particularly child, early, and forced marriages (CEFM). The role includes advocacy on CEFM, child screening, and the capacity building of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) across target districts in Sindh and Balochistan. The Specialist will work closely with CSOs and project teams to ensure high-quality, inclusive programming and advocacy efforts.

Main Responsibilities:

Technical Expertise

• Provide technical guidance on child protection, CEFM, advocacy, and child screening to project teams and CSO partners.
• Ensure alignment with national and international child protection standards and best practices.

Capacity Building

• Design and implement capacity-building initiatives to enhance CSOs’ knowledge and skills in child protection, CEFM prevention, and child screening.
• Conduct Organizational Capacity Assessments (OCA) of partners and develop tailored capacity development plans.
• Ensure quality assurance of all capacity-building activities, including training sessions and follow-ups.
• Assist CSOs in designing training content, schedules, and reference materials.

Support and Guidance to CSOs

• Provide continuous support to CSOs in planning and executing CEFM-related activities and meeting deliverables.
• Offer mentoring and technical assistance throughout project implementation.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate collaboration and knowledge-sharing among CSOs, local government authorities, and other stakeholders at district and provincial levels.
• Promote the formation and strengthening of multi-stakeholder networks focused on eliminating CEFM.

Advocacy, Lobbying, and Inclusivity

• Ensure the meaningful participation of marginalized groups, youth, and women-led CSOs in project activities.
• Support CSOs in developing and implementing effective advocacy campaigns.
• Facilitate finalization of IEC materials and key messages in alignment with US DoS, SCI, and SPO policies.
• Guide and support Provincial and District-Level Forums (PLFs and DLFs) and CSOs in lobbying efforts with policymakers and legislators.
• Promote a culture of learning, innovation, and knowledge sharing within the project.
• Lead grantees in organizing exposure visits and joint advocacy events at district and provincial levels.

IEC/BCC and Communication

• Lead IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) and BCC (Behavior Change Communication) activities.
• Develop BCC materials in English, Urdu, and local languages.
• Collaborate with the Communications Department for the effective use of social media and digital platforms.
• Maintain records of all visibility activities, ensuring their inclusion in MPRs, QPRs, and other reports.
• Manage a multimedia database (photos, videos) of partner activities.

Documentation and Reporting

• Develop event reports, i.e. Provincial and District-Level Forums (PLFs and DLFs), consultative legal and policy workshops and other events as assigned.
• Assist in the documentation of project activities, outcomes, and lessons learned.
• Support the development of Monthly Progress Reports (MPR), Quarterly Progress Reports (QPR), and event-specific reports (e.g., workshops, learning forums).
• Manage project activity data using the MIS (Management Information System).

Please Note:

• Candidate who tries to influence the recruitment process will be automatically disqualified.
• Ready to work immediately
• Women and minority candidates are particularly encouraged to apply
• SPO strongly prohibits Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harrasment (SEAH), accordingly; candidate background and reference check will be conducted