Community Protection Officers- Dadaab

Local Manager:  Project managers

Workplace: Dadaab

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. 

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• 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 
  

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• 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. 
  

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• 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. 
  

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• 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. 
  

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• 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. 
  

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• 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. 
  

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• 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. 
  

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• 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). 
  

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

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• 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.  
  

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• 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. 
  

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

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• 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

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• 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 with communities as well as self-management, including flexibility, respect for others, and sense of humour.  

Languages                                  

Fluent in English and Kiswahili

IT know-how

MS Office

 General Code of of Conduct and Tdh’s Risk Management Policies

Commits to complying with the General Code of Conduct and systematically reports any breach of the Code through the Tdh warning procedure: raises the awareness within the Foundation on violence and abuse and the rights that derive from them regarding children, community members and our own employees.

Commits to complying with the Risk Management Policies, including: Safeguard policies (the policy of Safeguarding Children, the Policy of Protecting against Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, the Guideline on Abusive Behavior at Work), the Safety/Security Policy and Anti-Fraud/Corruption Policies and the Prevention of Funding Criminal Acivities.

Commits to reducing the risk of abuse by developing an open and informed culture of management within the organization and in our work with children and the communities where we work.

Tdh’s organizational values

Our organizational values guide us in our operational and strategic choices and are the foundation of all decisions made by us. Those five values are incorporated into each process connected to the staff. All collaborators are assessed according to the organization’s values.

PARTICIPATION AND EMPOWERMENT

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• We promote and enhance participation and empowerment.
  
• We create the space for active participation and embrace inputs from others.
  
• We are sensitive about others’ needs to influence.
  
• We share and delegate power and responsibilities.
  

PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION

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• We trust the capacities of our key actors as primary responders and agents of change. We build on their strengths and on their needs.
  
• We champion co-creation and value complementarity.
  
• We appreciate other points of view and seek collectively for pragmatic and innovative solutions.
  
• We manifest humility, respect, fairness and see others as equal partners.
  

INNOVATION AND LEARNING

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• We promote a culture of innovation.
  
• We value curiosity, welcome new initiatives, and foster creativity.
  
• We embrace voluntary learning and are ready for trial and error.
  
• We foster knowledge sharing, learning and strive for sustainability.
  

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

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• We celebrate Diversity and Inclusion of people.
  
• We genuinely commit to diversity and inclusion and see it as a wealth in all our activities.
  
• We understand the cultural contexts and value differences.
  
• We are truly committed to an equal treatment.
  

LEADERSHIP AND EXCELLENCE

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• We thrive to offer our best, we think ahead, and are ready and willing to go the extra mile for the well-being of children.
  
• We provide quality programming and support. We are accountable and transparent. We use power responsibly.
  
• We position ourselves through our expertise and savoir-faire.
  
• We advocate for the rights of children whenever possible and seek actively opportunities to do so.
  

Application modalities:

Interested candidates who meet the criteria above are encouraged to send their applications letter and detailed CVs to KEN.recruitment@tdh.ch Candidates are required to indicate the position title and location on the subject line of the email when applying.

Kindly note only applications sent to this email address will be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

This position will be recruited on a rolling basis. The closing date for the application of this position is 31 March 2026.

Tdh’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protect children’s rights, which includes the prevention of all forms of child abuse.

Tdh is an equal opportunity employer