Capacity Building and Community Mobilisation Advisor

Save the Children Sweden fights for children’s rights. We influence public opinion and support children at risk. Our vision is a world in which all children’s rights are fulfilled – a world that respects and values each child, a world where all children participate and have influence, a world where all children have hope and opportunity.

Since 1960, Save the Children Sweden has been operational in the Middle East and North Africa region. Our main focus of work is on children’s rights to education and protection. We give direct support to more than 60 000 children and many more through advocacy and policy initiatives. Whereas our regional office is in Beirut, we have country offices and activities in several countries in the region. SCS is currently seeking:

Consultant: Capacity building and community Mobilization Advisor
Duty Station: SCS- Gaza office
Duration: Short term, 3 months contract (up to 30 Jan, 2011). Renewable.
Application deadline: October 28th 2010
Reporting to: Gaza Area Impact Manager (AIM)

Introduction/Background
Save the children- Sweden is implementing Family centre project (FC) in Gaza strip which is a
UNICEF initiatives implemented by Save the Children in partnership with local Nongovernmental Organisations and the local community funded by CIDA, ECHO and Bank of Palestine. The project aim to ensure that the right to survival and development of children at risk or survivors of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation living in Gaza Strip is ensured through the establishment of 20 Family Centers in different communities of Gaza Strip.

Purpose
The purpose of this Scope of Work is to describe the conditions and responsibilities of a consultant to contribute in designing, and implementing a strategy on capacity building for 20 Family Centers and CBOs in Gaza Strip and their staff and to provide advice and support to the AIM in the achievement of the project objectives.
Regular and consistent coordination with the three field officers on child protection, health, and
education, contributing partners and Family Center managers is expected. The position is based
in Gaza city.

Period of Performance
The work will take place from 1st of November to 30 Jan, 2011 in the Gaza Strip.
Consultancy Materials All material produced as a result of this consultancy will remain the intellectual property of SCS. They may be used or reproduced only with prior agreement from SCS and may not be used for profit at any time.

Application Process

Interested trainers with relevant education and experience are encouraged to send their profile
and technical proposal including cost bid ( as mentioned above) by mail to Save the Children
Sweden. oPt office by email ([email protected]), Gaza and indicate the
“Capacity Building and Community Mobilisation Advisor” in the subject line no later than 28th October 2010.
 

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Background:
Save the children- Sweden (SCS) is implementing Family Centre project in Gaza strip. The project aim to ensure that the right to survival and development of children at risk or survivors of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation living in Gaza Strip is ensured through the establishment of 20 Family Centers in different communities of Gaza Strip.

Through the Second phase of project SCS will aim to:
-CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM BUILDING: The most vulnerable children and caregivers in 20 family centers in the Gaza Strip (to be confirmed) are protected from violence, abuse, exploitation and other types of child rights violations through strengthening the child protection network and ensuring the referral mechanisms are in place and essential services are coordinated with linkages to service providers, national protection network.
-DIRECT SERVICE PROVISION: Children and their caregivers, living in 20 locations of the Gaza Strip, benefit from a holistic range of quality and standardized services in safe, protected environments within their own communities in order to bolster their resilience and increase their psychosocial well being.
-STRENGTHENING OF THE LOCAL CBO CAPACITY: The local CBO’s capacity to sustain the family centers at the community level is strengthened through the capacity building of the CBO staff and board members as well as an enhanced participation of the local community, service providers, community leaders, school officials and local NGO’s in the delivery of services through the family center network.
-STRENGTHENING COORDINATION AND LINKAGES WITH CPNs: The social workers (CTCCM) and psychologists (PCDCR) currently working in the Family Centres in Gaza will serve as an entry point for coordination and linkages between the Child Protection Networks and the Family Centres. The coordination will include regular meetings and the development of common policies and objectives.

Objective of the consultancy
The objective of this position is to assist the AIM and SCS team in achieving the project’s
objectives, enhancing the partnership with local stakeholders and to contribute in implementing a
strategy on capacity building for 20 Family Centers and CBOs in Gaza Strip and their staff. Also,
to coordinate trainings and awareness raising activities provided by the various partners, and participate in the design of the trainings so that the centers can provide services to children and
caregivers according to the objectives in the project plan for the 20 Family Centers in Gaza Strip.
It is also to monitor, quality assure and evaluate the capacity building activities provided in the
Family Centers by different partners, according to the instructions and principles included in the
project plan and strategy.
Regular and consistent coordination with the three field officers on child protection, health, and
education, contributing partners and Family Center managers is expected. The position is based
in Gaza city.

In co-operation with:
The Gaza Area Impact Manager (AIM), the Country Director of Save the Children Sweden, staff
at Save the Children Sweden (SCS), Partners staff and Alliance offices in Gaza; authorities, local organizations and international entities in the oPt.

General Tasks
-Provide daily advice and support for AIM to deal with community and partners.
-Support the Area Impact Manager (AIM) in achieving timely project objectives
-Provide advice and support to AIM to manage staff and divide roles and responsibility for weekly action plans to encourage team building and team work.
-Accompany the AIM to visits with partners and stakeholders when needed.
-Provide assistance to build the capacities with local partners and CBOs.
-Provide risk analysis and solution to problems facing the office or the programs.
-Support staff to respond to a major crisis situation facing office or program, and providing swift action for any rapid changes in priorities
-Support the AIM in regular monitoring the work plan of the different field officers and partners, according to the objectives, outcomes and indicators set in the PCA with Unicef.
-Contribute to ensure quality of staff monthly monitoring reporting received from partners.
-Realize field visits to Family Centers, CFC, and other funded projects together with the AIM.
-Monitoring staff following up on contracts with CBOs and partners.
-Work closely with thematic field officers to identify and prioritize capacity building needs, awareness raising needs and services on education, protection and health and together with the officers coordinate activities to be implemented in each center.
-Coordinate with Family Centers’ managers and partners on the different trainings, activities and services provided in these Family Centers.
-Supervise and monitor the implementation of the capacity building and awareness raising activities and services for the Family Centers.
-Ensure proper, professional, documented and clear communication with project partners regarding all aspects of the project activities.
-Ensure proper, professional, documented and clear communication with project partners regarding all aspects of the project activities.
-Participate in weekly meetings with the project staff at the office in Gaza City.

Specific tasks
-Strengthen the referral system for protection cases and provide support for the signature and implementation of MoU with external services providers;
-Implement and monitor the activities of distribution of children’s meals to the Family Centers in partnership with donors and in coordination with field officers;
-Support the financial officer in finalizing the tenders for education supplies and monitor the distribution to the Family Centers;
-Provide support to the Communication Officer for the realization of the activities related to the CRC day.
-Support the preparation and monitoring of MoU between partners involved in the child protection case management activities.

Qualifications and Experience:
In addition to the skills and behaviors needed to achieve the above mentioned tasks (field knowledge and long experiences in local community, management functioning skills, communication skills, thinking broadly), additional qualifications and experience for complexity
designation are as follows:
As per the generic monitoring advisor Role Profile though substantial field programme management experience would be preferable.

Education
Bachelor degree in Social Sciences, Human Rights Studies, or relevant fields. Relevant professional experience with Non Governmental Organisations.

Skills and competencies
-Commitment to the values and principles of Save the Children Sweden
-Experience in senior position in a relatively complex organisation.
-Proven Experience in Capacity Building and in organizing trainings.
-Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
-Proven experience in building cooperative relationships
-Track record in recruiting, leading and developing calibre specialist senior staff with a range of backgrounds and expertise ( in child protection, education, health)
-Track record in developing and empowering staff to succeed to own role
-Experience of leading a complex organisation through a major period of change
-Ability to manage and motivate self and others to respond to a major crisis situation, requiring swift action and rapid changes in priorities
-Innovative approach to solving a range of highly complex issues and galvanising buy-in to the solutions at all levels
-Highly developed political acumen and ability to navigate through complex political situations
-Strong communications, interpersonal, organization, and listening skills.
-Strong verbal and written communications skills in English and Arabic.
-Advanced skills in Project Cycle Management.
-Ability to work independently and as a team member.
-Ability to work under pressure and to provide timely reports
-Excellent time and workload management skills
-Possess the knowledge of computerized information systems used in administrative applications, such as Word, Excel, Power Point, e-mail, and Internet.