Senior Project Officer

The incumbent will lead, coordinate, and oversee the implementation of child protection interventions, with a particular focus on the prevention of child marriage and the promotion of children's rights. Working under the supervision of the Area Programme Manager and receiving technical guidance from the Child Protection & Youth Specialist, the incumbent will ensure high-quality programme implementation, strengthen coordination with government departments, faith leaders, civil society organizations, and communities, and contribute to advocacy, capacity building, and evidence-based programming. The position is responsible for ensuring compliance with Islamic Relief's Child Protection Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).

POSITION TITLE:        Senior Project officer 

REPORTING TO:          Area Programme Lead

DEPARTMENT:            Program

DUTY STATION:          Peshawar

Number of Positions:  1M/F

1. Programme Management

• Lead and coordinate child protection activities across assigned districts.
• Ensure quality implementation of project activities related to child protection and prevention of child marriage.
• Develop implementation plans and monitor progress against approved work plans.
• Ensure activities are completed within agreed timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Supervise and mentor Social Mobilizers and other project staff.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits and provide technical guidance.
• Ensure timely delivery of project outputs and achievement of project objectives.

2. Technical Leadership

• Provide technical support on child protection programming.
• Promote implementation of Child Protection Minimum Standards.
• Integrate inclusive programming approaches throughout project implementation.
• Strengthen child protection referral mechanisms.
• Identify children and girls at risk and facilitate referrals to education, vocational training, and social protection services.
• Develop and implement community awareness campaigns on child marriage prevention.
• Promote child safeguarding across all programme interventions.

3. Stakeholder Coordination & Advocacy

• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with:
• Government departments 
• Faith leaders
• Civil society organizations
• Child protection actors
• Protection clusters and coordination forums
• Represent Islamic Relief in relevant child protection coordination meetings.
• Strengthen collaboration with Provincial Commissions on the Status of Women (PCSW) and relevant provincial authorities.
• Support provincial advocacy initiatives for prevention of child marriage.
• Promote collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing among stakeholders.

4. Community Engagement

• Conduct community consultations and awareness sessions.
• Build community capacity on child protection issues.
• Engage parents, religious leaders, teachers, community elders, and youth groups.
• Promote positive social norms for child protection.
• Strengthen community-based child protection mechanisms.
• Support community ownership and sustainability of interventions.

5. Monitoring, Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and donor reports.
• Maintain complete project documentation and records.
• Document success stories, lessons learned, and case studies.
• Coordinate with Monitoring & Evaluation teams for data collection and reporting.
• Track project indicators and ensure quality data management.
• Support programme reviews, evaluations, and assessments.

6. Organizational Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with Islamic Relief policies, procedures, and operational standards.
• Demonstrate Islamic Relief values in all professional engagements.
• Uphold Child Safeguarding, PSEAH, and Code of Conduct standards.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Participate in emergency responses and seasonal programmes when required.
• Contribute to organizational learning and knowledge management.
• Promote inclusion of women, children, persons with disabilities, minorities, and other vulnerable groups.

7. Safeguarding & Accountability

The Child Protection Officer is expected to:

• Fully comply with Islamic Relief's Child Safeguarding Policy.
• Promote Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH).
• Maintain zero tolerance for harassment, bullying, violence, fraud, bribery, and corruption.
• Promote community feedback and accountability mechanisms.
• Report safeguarding concerns through established organizational procedures.

Person Specification: It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding and sympathy with the organizational values & principles, vision and mission as well as commitment to its PSEAH (preventing sexual exploitation abuse and harassment) protocols. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards PSEAH and don’t support any action that promotes or encourages PSEAH.

The organization is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom the organization engages. The organization expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

Qualification: Master’s preferably in Development Studies/ Social Sciences

Experience: 

5 years with Master degree and/or 7 years with Bachelor degree in Child Protection

Language: English, Urdu and Local Languages 

Computer: MS Office, Outlook, ERP systems familiarity

Value Added Skills Relevant experience of working with humanitarian/development sector/INGOs Working knowledge of regional languages of Pakistan

Please note, we are only able to accept applications from candidates who are eligible to live and work in the Pakistan. We are unable to progress applications which would require sponsorship. 

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

The organization is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom the organization engages. The organization expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organization.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records checks. The organization also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.

In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Pre-employment Checks:

Any employment with organization will be subject to the following checks:

·       Screening clearance

·       Receipt of satisfactory references

We are an equal opportunities employer.

DECLARATION:

By applying for this position with the organization;

I confirm that the above information in the CV/Application is complete, correct, and updated and that any untrue or misleading information will give my employer the right to terminate any employment contract offered.

I agree that information contained within this application and supporting documents (including "sensitive information) may be accessed, stored and used and by the organization in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.