VMM are currently recruiting for a Child Advocacy Advisor to assist one of our key partners with their work with communities in Kenya for 1 year. The successful applicant will be based in Kenya and provided with accommodation. This is a self-funded role, for which the volunteer will be asked to fundraise to cover their flights, insurance, training and living costs. There is a strong possibility that this will convert to a fully-funded role.
This role offers incredible opportunities to travel and use your skills and experience to serve the people of Kenya. Please do contact VMM with any questions.
Background of Rafiki wa Maendeleo Trust
Rafiki wa Maendeleo Trust (RWMT) is a charitable organisation operating in rural Rarieda sub-county. The organisation began as a grass-root CBO in 2003 to assist orphaned children and youth with a focus on community empowerment and development. Through strategic programming, Rafiki wa Maendeleo Trust empowers communities to create positive change within Rarieda sub-County, one of Kenya’s poorest constituencies. Rafiki’s four program focuses are Health, Advocacy and Rights, Education and Training, and Economic Empowerment.
Background of Project
We are currently seeking to recruit a talented, progressive and team-oriented volunteer to fill the position of Child Advocacy Advisor. This volunteer should bring a personal commitment to community development; and take time to reflect and make sure they resonate strongly with Rafiki wa Maendeleo Trust’s vision and mission before considering applying.
· Vision: People believe in themselves and work together to build a vibrant and progressive community.
· Mission: Empower people and build their capacities to create positive change for children and youth within their community.
Role Title
Child Advocacy Advisor
Purpose of the position: To guide and assist RWMT to review the existing Child Rights programs and activities and to spearhead development of multi-sectoral advocacy strategies that promote evidence-based Child-Rights and Protection programs throughout the region.
Duration of Assignment: 6 months – 1 year
Duties*
R1. Documentation
T1. Review RWMT’s model of children’s rights programming and coordinate documentation of how the program design creates positive change for children.
T2. Supervise documentation of case studies that will show how evidence and experience, drawn from direct activities, can inform and influence changes in local structures and government policy, as well as increase funding opportunities.
R2. Planning Advocacy in Program Work
T1. Develop a strategy through which RWMT can apply a child rights approach to advocacy on any local issues that affect children, including education, health, protection or livelihoods; and a framework that enables programme experiences to be used to provide evidence for advocacy.
T2. Guide RWMT team to consolidate their network of possible targets, influentials, allies, networks, groups of children/caregivers and relationships that can be engaged for advocacy; and establish organizational protocol to nurture public relationships of reciprocity, responsiveness and responsibility.
T3. Liaise with M&E team to review indicators that provide legitimacy for advocacy in RWMT’s program work including direct experience of problems and/or solutions, and sustained work with children.
T4. Raise organizational awareness on how RWMT’s program’s effectiveness can be made more sustainable through advocacy and how advocacy can address the underlying causes of the problems addressed in RWMT’s program areas.
T5. Establish protocol and principles for RWMT as a guide for child-centred and child-led advocacy when planning and supporting children and young people’s participation in program activities.
R3. Monitoring & Evaluation
T1. Guide the process for the M&E team to carry out a child rights situation analysis to identify the root causes of children’s rights violations in RWMT’s areas of work, and the responsible duty-bearers.
T2. Guide the Location Area Advisory Council on ways to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the community referral system for suspected and reported cases of abuse or neglect.
T3. Support monitoring and evaluation of RWMT’s internal referral system to ensure beneficiaries are provided with maximum support from the organization’s various expertise.
R4. Program Implementation
T1. Work with RWMT and community stakeholders to rebrand, redesign and revamp the Psycho-Social Support (PSS) activities into a Community run Kids Club.
T2. Provide support supervision to RWMT staff and community to meet SOPs for the newly designed Kids Clubs
T3. Participate in and co-facilitate Focus Group Discussions to highlight community responsibility in identifying children in abusive situations and, when necessary, relocation into safe, temporary or permanent placements.
T4. Provide technical assistance to local authorities on improving the investigation, reporting and follow-up on cases of exploitation, rape, abuse and neglect.
R5. Internal Administration
T1. Work with and train the Programs staff to ensure they:
a. Provide quality and timely delivery of all project reports, in their agreed format and deadlines.
b. Maintain follow-up and feedback system to ensure efficient processes
c. Maintain and keep up to date and accurate field records and reports of activities and beneficiaries according to the organization’s M&E and reporting requirements.
d. Ensure the integrity of information collected and presented is not compromised in any way whatsoever.
T2. Review and advise on project’s quarterly and annual work plans according to the organizations needs and requirements.
T3. Participate and advise in Child Advocacy program concept papers and proposal development for donor funding.
T4. Provide timely advice to the Program Manager as well as the Management Team on issues likely to affect/impact project implementation.
R6. Other Duties and Responsibilities
T1. Actively participate in the Saturday Psycho-Social Support Program for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children and build the community’s capacity to eventually run the Saturday PSS on their own.
T2. Perform any other duties and responsibilities which may be assigned by the management from time and which are related to the achievement of RWMT’s mission and vision.
Qualifications needed:
a) Level of education
At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Legal Studies or any other Social Science discipline that focuses on Advocacy, Children’s Development and Empowerment.
b) Job experience
At least three (3) years relevant experience in a similar position.
Skills Required:
• Requires good interpersonal skills with ability to build personal relationships with the local community, beneficiaries, senior government officials and staff.
• Must have developed good intercultural orientation and strong public relations skills.
• Should possess strong communication, negotiation, and administration skills.
To apply, write ith a CV and Cover Letter detailing how your experience fits the role description.
* Personnel appointed to this post will be vetted in accordance with the VMM Child Safeguarding Policy