Child Protection Officer - Local Hire

Position Summary

The Child Protection Officer will lead and support child protection interventions within Project HOPE’s Gaza Response program. In the context of active conflict, displacement, family separation, trauma exposure, and heightened protection risks, the role ensures that children are protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence.

Principal Responsibilities

• Implement and monitor child protection activities in line with international standards and Project HOPE’s strategy.
• Provide technical supervision to CP case managers, ensuring that case management processes comply with national and international standards.
• Identify and respond to child protection concerns through case management and referral pathways.
• Provide psychosocial support to children and caregivers, including structured group activities.
• Provide Parenting sessions or support groups (TRT, EASE), psychoeducation for families on child behavior and stress management.
• Referral caregivers for mental health care or protection services if needed.
• Facilitate child consultations and incorporate child feedback into activity design, ensuring child-friendly spaces for expression.
• Ensure child protection activities are inclusive of children with disabilities and adapted for gender-specific needs.
• Participating in rapid assessments and emergency MHPSS interventions.
• Conduct child protection risk assessments and contribute to protection mainstreaming across sectors.
• Train and support community-based child protection committees and frontline workers.
• Ensure child safeguarding principles are integrated into all activities.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date case files and documentation.
• Cook with local authorities, NGOs, and UN agencies on child protection issues.
• Support data collection, reporting, and learning related to child protection outcomes.
• Review the follow up of cases, and ensure all cases are managed within acceptable timelines.
• Promote safeguarding, PSEA compliance, and conflict sensitivity across all activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Child Development, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in child protection programming in humanitarian settings.
• Strong understanding of CPMS, case management principles, and psychosocial support frameworks.
• Experience working with vulnerable children and families in conflict-affected areas.
• Familiarity with inter-agency child protection standards and tools (e.g., CPMS, CPIMS+).
• Ability to work under pressure in insecure environments.
• Fluency in Arabic; working proficiency in English preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to humanitarian principles and safeguarding standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Community Mental Health, or related field.
• Experience working in Gaza or similar conflict settings.
• Experience participating in Child Protection Cluster coordination mechanisms.
• Training in trauma-informed care or structured child-focused psychosocial interventions.