Senior Child Protection Officer

Placements24; East London; Sur place; ZAR 700 000 - 1 000 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Medical aid

Pension fund

Professional development

Generous annual leave

EAP

Résumé du poste

Placements24 is helping a leading NGO in East London, Eastern Cape recruit a Senior Child Protection Officer. The role focuses on developing and overseeing child protection policies, conducting risk assessments, and providing case management and advocacy for vulnerable children.

The position requires on-site engagement with children, families, legal bodies, and community partners. The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree in a relevant field, 6+ years of progressive experience, and strong

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Law, Psychology, or related field.
• Minimum 6 years of progressive experience in child protection or related field.
• Strong knowledge of South African child protection legislation, policies and best practices.
• Experience in risk assessment, case management, and advocacy for children.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Responsabilités

• Develop, review, and implement comprehensive child protection policies and procedures.
• Conduct risk assessments and vulnerability analyses for children within the program’s scope.
• Provide direct case management and support to children experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Advocate for children's rights and best interests in legal, educational, and social settings.
• Collaborate with law enforcement, social services, courts, and other agencies.
• Deliver training and capacity-building workshops on child protection to staff and partners.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and programs.
• Maintain confidential records of all cases and interventions.
• Respond to child protection concerns and emergencies with promptness and sensitivity.
• Contribute to program development and strategic planning related to child welfare.

Connaissances

Case management

Risk assessment

Advocacy

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Communication

Formation

Master's degree in Social Work, Law, Psychology, or related field

Description du poste

About the Role

Our client, a leading non-governmental organization committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children, is seeking a highly experienced Senior Child Protection Officer for their East London, Eastern Cape office. This critical role involves developing, implementing, and overseeing robust child protection policies and procedures. You will be responsible for conducting risk assessments, providing case management support, and advocating for children at risk. This position requires significant on-site presence to effectively engage with children, families, legal bodies, and community stakeholders in East London . The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of child protection laws, a strong understanding of child development and trauma, and proven leadership skills in advocacy and case management. If you are passionate about protecting vulnerable children and have a strong commitment to social justice, this challenging and rewarding role awaits.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and implement comprehensive child protection policies and procedures.
• Conduct thorough risk assessments and vulnerability analyses for children within the program's scope.
• Provide direct case management and support to children experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Advocate for children's rights and best interests in legal, educational, and social settings.
• Collaborate closely with law enforcement, social services, courts, and other relevant agencies.
• Deliver training and capacity-building workshops on child protection to staff, community members, and partners.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of child protection interventions and programs.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of all cases and interventions.
• Respond to child protection concerns and emergencies with promptness and sensitivity.
• Contribute to program development and strategic planning related to child welfare.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in Social Work, Law, Psychology, or a related field.
• A minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in child protection, child welfare, or a closely related field.
• In-depth knowledge of South African child protection legislation, policies, and best practices.
• Proven experience in case management, risk assessment, and advocacy for children.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage sensitive situations with discretion.
• Experience in training and facilitation is highly desirable.
• A clean criminal record and a commitment to child safety principles.
• Resilience, empathy, and a strong ethical compass.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package commensurate with expertise and experience.
• Comprehensive medical aid coverage.
• Pension fund contributions.
• Significant opportunities for professional development and advanced training in child protection.
• Generous annual leave and supportive work-life balance initiatives.
• A dynamic and impactful work environment with a dedicated team.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for personal and professional support.
• Opportunities to influence policy and practice in child protection.
• Regular supervision and peer support sessions.
• Travel allowance for work-related duties within the Eastern Cape .