Child Rights Coalition Sierra Leone

Job Title: Desk/Liaison Officer

Reports to: National Chairperson CRC SL

Status: Full Time

Work Hours: Weekdays – occasional weekends

Travel: Occasional travels required

Salary Range: Attractive

Background of the CRC SL Coalition

The CRC SL is a network of national and international civil society organizations including youth led organization registered as members. The CRC SL was formed in 2007 in preparation for the submission of the alternative report to the state report on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The CRC SL has since become a coordinating body for the development and submission of treaty body reports on child rights.

Its objectives are: to advance the cooperation between NGOs working on children’s rights; to monitor and report on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Right of the Child and its Optional Protocols and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child; and to contribute to the promotion of children’s rights in Sierra Leone.

Position Summary

The CRC SL Desk Officer is responsible for the overall coordination of the Coalition S/he heads the Secretariat of the Coalition.  S/he coordinates all activities of the Coalition including the implementation of the strategic plan, the design of campaign plans, activities, advocacy and resource mobilization, and response to emerging advocacy issues. The Desk Officer ensures effective coordination and communication with the National Executive and the District Chapter executives. , liaising between the executive and the district chapter, and mobilizing membership particpation in Coalition activities, This position also ensures child participation in all Coalition activities. The Desk Officer works closely with the National Executive of the Coalition and reports regularly to the Executive, through the National Chairperson.

Roles and Responsibilities

• • Programme Management and advocacy: S/he coordinates the implementation of advocacy activities based on agreed plans,
  • Resource and advocacy material development: lead the development of resource materials on any  forms of abuse and child rights advocacy issues including, but not limited to, periodic national reporting, national laws and implementation, the impact of the child protective services system, and the prevention of child abuse.
  • Visibility: Build CRC SL’s national and international visibility around children’s issues in consultation with the Advocacy Officer and National Chairperson by regularly sharing CRC SL’s work, and posting comments and resources, and advocacy materials in real time on all CRC SL’s social media platforms, and the website. Generate quarterly newsletter for the Coalition.
  • Reporting and Compliance: Draft and submit monthly reports or more frequently as needed, and submit grant project progress and deliverables as required.  Collect and maintain information on survivors of child abuse, from the district chapters including current and emerging child rights issues. Collect and maintain information on other current and emerging issues relating to and/or teen sexual assault(s).
  • Representation: Joins CRC SL representatives in external meetings and workshops facilitated by membership, and represents the Coalition as required.
  • Resource Mobilization: actively engage in the diversification of resources to support the work of the coalition
  • Facilitation: Facilitates discussions to improve collaboration between district chapters.

• Supervision: Supervises additional staff when required; and supervises volunteers and interns.

• Other duties: Relevant to the nature of the position and needed for the achievement of the Coalition’s strategic goals may be assigned at the discretion of the Supervisor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.Sc) in Social Sciences or other related fields.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in addressing child rights violations, working with children, organizing/leading policy advocacy /research activities, especially on child rights, coordinating campaigns
• Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Must possess excellent project management, organizational, and negotiation skills.

• Must possess excellent customer service skills. Demonstrated sensitivity and ability to collaboratively work with individuals and diverse groups from organizations and networks.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Ability to write reports, and interpret reports, child related national policies, laws and governmental regulations.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of diverse people, children, government, and the general public.
• Finance/budget management experience Grant management experience.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously, to identify and respond to shifting priorities and perform to tight deadlines.
• Good analytical, problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities, and demonstrable initiative and creativity
• Good IT and social media skills, and ability to perform basic statistical analyses using Microsoft Excel and/or other statistical software package(s);

Clearances

• Criminal history check is required through the Sierra Leone Police
• Child Abuse check is required.

Equal Employment Opportunity 

The Coalition provides equal employment opportunities to all Sierra Leoneans and applicants for employment without regard to religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, confidential medical information, or genetics.

To Apply 

Interested applicants should send their CVs with a cover letter explaining their suitability for
the job to the National Chairperson, Child Rights Coalition Sierra Leone, C/o Foundation for Rural and Urban Transformation, 24E Main Motor Road Congo Cross, Freetown by 11th September2024 at 5:00pm.