DanChurchAid (DCA) invites applications for an Inter-Agency Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups (CAAFAG) Coordinator for its Syria programme. This is a non-family position based in North East Syria (NES).

The DCA Syria programme is a fast-growing programme with a 4-year footprint in northern Syria. The activities are wide-ranging and include risk education, survey, clearance of explosive hazards, multi-purpose cash assistance, vocational training, shelter and school rehabilitation, NFI distribution, cash for work schemes, child protection and psychosocial support.

As the Inter-Agency CAAFAG Coordinator you will refer directly to the DCA Country Director (CD) with technical input and guidance provided by technical specialists outside of DCA. You will be primarily responsible for ensuring effective coordination among humanitarian agencies engaged in activities related to the prevention and response of child recruitment in North East Syria. You will support UNICEF and humanitarian actors in North East Syria with the implementation efforts to prevent and respond to child recruitment, including within the framework of the UN/SDF action plan on child recruitment. While the primary responsibility for implementation lies with the SDF and its components, the UN plays a crucial role in assisting the SDF in meetings its commitment and the successful return to civilian life of boys and girls formerly associated with the SDF, with particular emphasis on their reintegration back into their communities. The Coordinator will have responsibility for leading on the development of an interagency coordination strategy and workplan on the prevention and response to child recruitment in North East Syria, and for developing and rolling out interagency tools and products aligned to global minimum standards aimed at prevention and response to child recruitment, among other key tasks. You will also play a key role in representing DCA and other NES humanitarian agencies in Whole of Syria, as well as regional, coordination, advocacy and planning fora.

Main technical tasks and responsibilities include:

• Ensure effective coordination among humanitarian agencies engaged in activities related to the prevention and response of child recruitment in North East Syria;
• Develop interagency coordination strategy and workplan on the prevention and response to child recruitment in North East Syria. Act as a liaison between humanitarian actors in NES and the UN to ensure successful collaboration;
• Develop and roll out interagency tools and products aligned to global minimum standards aimed at prevention and response to child recruitment (e.g. assessment, SOPs, guidance notes);
• Support design and implementation by NES humanitarian actors of programme interventions in support of implementation of the action plan, including CP, GBV/gender, education, livelihoods and adolescents/empowerment, towards community-based reintegration and alternatives for disengaged children;
• Recruit, train, mentor and capacity build a National Prevention & Response to Child Recruitment Officer. Prepare and conduct structured capacity build plan with timelines for deliverables;
• Provide child protection technical support to stakeholders in relation to: a) development and dissemination of a military order/political directive and training materials, age assessment SOPs and screening mechanisms, b) demobilization and interim care arrangements including community-based reintegration programmes, c) safe and accessible complaints mechanism, and d) prevention activities.
• Provide training and capacity building support to staff of NES humanitarian actors on the contents of the action plan and related child protection interventions and skills, as well as awareness raising sessions with stakeholders and other relevant focal points on the action plan contents and child protection approaches;
• Coordinate and monitor programme interventions in support of the implementation of the action plan and ensure linkages with the Protection sector and other relevant sectors (e.g. Education, Cash, Livelihood, MHPSS) and programmes;
• Assist with the preparation of fundraising proposals and donor reporting, as well as support the overall management of child protection and other sector partnerships;
• Assist with providing inputs to internal and donor reports, as well as quarterly reporting to the Syria MRM leadership on progress made, implementation issues and remaining challenges;
• Design and conduct a needs assessment, with key findings report;
• Organize and attend regular response meetings and workshops;
• Produce internal and donor reports and work closely with the CD to develop concept notes and proposals;
• Ensure efficient and effective project management, including ensuring administrative and financial procedures are followed according to Donor and DanChurchAid guidelines;
• Monitor progress of project implementation and, if necessary, revise project activities and work plans in coordination with UNICEF and the DCA CD;
• Help ensure protection and gender is mainstreamed in all activities;
• Conduct regular and timely needs assessments and gap analysis and advise relevant stakeholders on new areas of possible intervention. Ensure all data gathered is stored securely and digitally;
• Represent DCA in sector/cluster, interagency, donor, and local authority meetings, as relevant and necessary;
• Any other duties, as requested by the DCA CD.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Contribute to a culture of excellence, continuous improvement and performance optimization across all interventions;
• Be a role model for diversity and inclusion, as well as a positive role model for contributing to a collective and collaborative team spirit.

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• University degree in development studies, social sciences, child protection, humanitarian response, project management or another relevant field;
• 5+ years of relevant experience in positions of progressively greater responsibility in emergency response and/or early recovery, including cross sector responses;
• Solid understanding of child protection and multi-sectoral programming (e.g. livelihoods, youth and adolescents, PSS) in humanitarian settings;
• Interest in and familiarity with the children and armed conflict mandate;
• Experience coordinating, providing leadership, supervising staff, and managing multiple complex programme components;
• Proven coordination and liaison skills at a national and regional level;
• Ability to maintain flexibility in an environment where change or revision to projects and planning is regular;
• Fluent English required. Arabic/Kurdish a strong advantage;
• Experience in the MENA region/Syria (ideally North East Syria);
• A working knowledge of log frames and developing indicators;
• Willing and able to work in a challenging work environment.
  
• We offer:

• A one-year renewable contract, based on needs and resources;
• A competitive salary package, including hardship and cost of living allowances, to be negotiated based on experience level;
• A generous R&R package;
• 6 weeks of paid vacation;
• Insurance as per industry standards;
• An opportunity to make a difference and improve the lives of people living in conflict.

All qualified candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic affiliation are encouraged to apply for the vacancy. The closing date for applications is 8 November 2019, however shortlisting and interviews will be held on a rolling basis as the position needs to be filled quickly. Please note that technical guidance in the interview process will be provided by a representative from the Interagency Forum.
Everyone applying for a job with DCA must be ready to comply with our Staff Policy on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment and our Child Safeguarding Policy.