Context:

Terre des hommes Foundation is an independent, neutral, and impartial Swiss organization founded in 1960, dedicated to bringing about significant and lasting change in the lives of children and young people, especially those most at risk. Tdh ensures their well-being and the effective implementation of their rights as defined in the Convention on the Child's Rights and other human rights instruments. To make a difference, Tdh focus our efforts on maternal and child health, children and young people in migration situations, and access to justice. Tdh promotes the active participation of children and young people to empower them. We advocate for their rights and support them in expressing their needs and interests. Tdh works in fragile contexts and conflict zones, as well as in more stable environments.

Tdh is present in Kenya since 2011. Currently Tdh is providing protection services for children and families affected by migration, natural crises and poverty in Dadaab refugee camps, in Garissa County, and in Kakuma.

Overarching responsibilities “Main goals”

The main purpose of this position is to implement a range of age- and gender-appropriate advocacy and empowerment interventions targeting children, parents, caregivers, community leaders, religious leaders, and adolescent boys and girls within both the Dadaab refugee camps and the surrounding host community villages. All interventions will be carried out with respect for local culture and contextual sensitivities and in alignment with the Dadaab protection system, humanitarian coordination practices, and relevant guidelines.

The Community Protection Officer will work closely with Child Protection Volunteers (CPVs) to ensure communities receive timely and accurate information through awareness and advocacy campaigns conducted at both the help desks and block levels.

In addition to community outreach, Community Protection Officer will support caseworkers by managing low-risk cases, contributing to the holistic response and prevention of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children. Their interventions are intended to strengthen the capacity of beneficiaries to develop skills and knowledge essential for child protection, both during their stay in the camps and upon repatriation to their country of origin.

Specific Responsibilities/Context of “tasks”

Key responsibilities

Provide capacity to the children, parents, their caregivers, and community members to enhance their knowledge and ability to protect children from harm.

Community Protection Officer will support caseworkers by managing low-risk cases, contributing to the holistic response and prevention of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children

To bridge between agencies and communities: CBPOs serve as critical links between humanitarian actors and community-based mechanisms, facilitating two-way communication, referrals, and follow-ups for children at risk.

Capacity Building of Community Gatekeepers: With the focus now on building the capacity of Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs), Child Protection Committees (CPCs), and Children’s Assemblies, CBPOs will take a frontline role in training, mentoring, and monitoring these groups to ensure standards are met and protection principles upheld.

Continuity of Protection Services at Help Desks: Help desks have become vital entry points for protection issues and support for vulnerable populations. Phasing out this role without a structured handover would risk service gaps, especially for children facing urgent risks such as abuse, trafficking, neglect, and child labor.

Monitoring and Data Collection: CBPOs support the implementation of community-based information systems like ODK, daily trackers, and referral logs. Accurate data is critical for evidence-based planning, donor reporting, and identifying emerging protection trends.

To be responsible to conduct proper recording, documentation for all the children and their caregiver seeking child protection services and information at the sectional level.

Provision and Dissemination of appropriate child protection information to support decision making on voluntary repatriation and sustained protection for the children remaining in the camps.

Review and develop child friendly and child focused protection messages on emerging concerns and threats (with an emphasis on concerns of undocumented children, and special protection cases, specifically prevention of and support to survivors of harmful traditional practices and SGBV and inclusion of children with specific needs).

On a monthly basis, organize information forums (information clinics) involving other protection partners and service providers to strengthen the support of individual children.

Conduct monthly radio shows to provide further information, and an opportunity to take questions and feedback regarding the information forums sessions for both Refugee and host communities.

Sharing and provision of appropriate child protection information to support decision making on voluntary repatriation and sustained protection for the children remaining in the camp.

Supports in child led advocacy campaigns, mass awareness and special events throughout the project in close consultation with empowerment officer and Case work officer.

Participates in the identification, mobilisation and training of community members and other actors to encourage their participation in different aspects of the project implementation (women, elders, leaders, youth, children, etc.) at sectional level.

Skills

Required qualities: proactive, autonomous, rigorous, organized, good communication, and interpersonal skills.

In particular:

As well as the following specific “trade” skills

A collaborative attitude with colleagues in- and outside the team

Management of time and priorities; meeting deadlines

Experience in drafting project proposals and managing subsidies, fund-raising and a good knowledge of financial partners

Good knowledge and experience of the project management cycle and M&E

Excellent interpersonal qualities: integrity, a capacity to judge, diplomacy

Proactive, creative and out-of-the-box thinking

Required conditions

Training/Qualifications

• Diploma or University degree in Community development, Social Work, Social sciences, international studies and other relevant training qualification.
• Trainings in Behaviour change communication, life skills, advocacy and empowerment are an added advantage

Experience

• Two years' work experience, including in community development, advocacy and networking.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili. Ability to communicate in Somali is a plus.
• Proven ability in implementation community development or advocacy initiative.
• Experience in designing and delivering trainings.
• Good understanding of the rights –based approach, conflict sensitivity and DO NO HARM, and gender justice.
• Strong analytical skills, with ability to think innovatively and operate strategically.
• Flexibility, stamina and ability to work under pressure and beyond regular working hours if necessary.
• Personal qualities that ensure effective work

• Provide capacity to the children, parents, their caregivers, and community members to enhance their knowledge and ability to protect children from harm.
• Support caseworkers by managing low-risk cases, contributing to the holistic response and prevention of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children.
• Serve as critical links between humanitarian actors and community-based mechanisms, facilitating two-way communication, referrals, and follow-ups for children at risk.
• Take a frontline role in training, mentoring, and monitoring Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs), Child Protection Committees (CPCs), and Children’s Assemblies to ensure standards are met and protection principles upheld.
• Ensure continuity of protection services at Help Desks, especially for children facing urgent risks such as abuse, trafficking, neglect, and child labor.
• Support the implementation of community-based information systems like ODK, daily trackers, and referral logs for accurate data collection.
• Conduct proper recording and documentation for all children and their caregivers seeking child protection services and information at the sectional level.
• Disseminate appropriate child protection information to support decision-making on voluntary repatriation and sustained protection for children remaining in camps.
• Review and develop child-friendly and child-focused protection messages on emerging concerns and threats, with an emphasis on undocumented children, special protection cases, prevention of and support to survivors of harmful traditional practices and SGBV, and inclusion of children with specific needs.
• Organize monthly information forums (information clinics) involving other protection partners and service providers to strengthen the support of individual children.
• Conduct monthly radio shows to provide further information and gather questions and feedback from both refugee and host communities.
• Support child-led advocacy campaigns, mass awareness, and special events in close consultation with the empowerment officer and casework officer.
• Participate in the identification, mobilization, and training of community members and other actors (women, elders, leaders, youth, children, etc.) to encourage their participation in project implementation.

• Proactive, autonomous, rigorous, organized, good communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative attitude with colleagues.
• Management of time and priorities; meeting deadlines.
• Experience in drafting project proposals and managing subsidies, fund-raising.
• Good knowledge of the project management cycle and M&E.
• Integrity, capacity to judge, diplomacy.
• Proactive, creative and out-of-the-box thinking.

• Diploma or University degree in Community development, Social Work, Social sciences, international studies and other relevant training qualification.
• Trainings in Behaviour change communication, life skills, advocacy and empowerment are an added advantage.