PROJECT OFFICER – World Vision International

Key Responsibilities

• Develop the process of involving at various levels of participation, empowerment and capacity, groups of communities to address issues affecting child well-being.
• Assess and build capacity of communities to take action that produces positive and sustainable changes locally.
• Facilitate community participation in the implementation of disability interventions to foster agency, empowerment and transformational development
• Building relationships with communities and stakeholders to foster disability inclusion.
• Conducting awareness campaigns and community sensitization on disability issues.
• Identify capacity gaps for community partners
• Develop training plan to address identified gaps for staff and community partners
• Providing GESI and disability awareness and technical assistance for accessibility improvements.
• Promoting inclusive education through teacher/parents training.
• Mentor and coach community groups (volunteers, committees and stakeholders, parents with children with disabilities) on disability inclusion
• Build capacity of volunteers/parents/community members on case managements for children with disabilities
• Ensure access and participation to quality education for children with disabilities in mainstream schools and appropriate healthcare services, including specialized care.
• Provide support from an early age, including assessments and therapies.
• Address dietary needs and feeding challenges of children with disabilities by linking with relevant TP sectors
• Offer Caregivers/parents training for better understanding and care and create support networks.
• Conduct campaigns to reduce stigma and increase understanding.
• Advocate for and create physically accessible environments.
• Gather data and conduct research on disability issues.
• Train staff, communities, and local organizations on disability inclusion.
• Establish and maintain functionality of child-friendly spaces such as Children’s Clubs, Bible Clubs, IMPACT + Clubs, Child Parliament.
• Facilitate Case Management implementation for assessments, individualized plans, service coordination, continuous improvement.
• Develop inclusive program design, with detailed implementation strategies and budget
• Promote accessible services and infrastructure using social- ecological model
• Facilitate data and knowledge generation to produce valuable insights into the experiences, challenges, and successes of individuals with disabilities within the project
• Facilitate capacity building and training for programs for staff, community members, and stakeholders
• Facilitate iterative learning processes and adaptations to foster improvement in project strategies
• Facilitate efficient and timely implementation of planned activities with more focus on Community Engagement, Child Participation, Child Protection, advocacy, Spiritual Nurture of Children.
• Report child sponsorship-related high-risk incidents that may significantly threaten the life of child
• Facilitate establishment of community networks, coalitions and partnerships for Children with disabilities.
• Empowering individuals with disabilities through leadership, project planning and advocacy training.
• Establishing partnerships with disability-focused organizations and government agencies.
• Advocating for policy changes with advocacy groups and government agencies.
• Engaging in cross-sector collaborations, learning, networking, resources for accessibility and inclusion.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to leverage expertise and resources for disability inclusion initiatives.
• Facilitate compliance to GESI, DEI, Disability, Child and adult Safeguarding and other related policies.
• Facilitate and support implementation of local level advocacy efforts for child well-being through CPA/CVA
• Advocating for the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities at local, and national levels.
• Monitoring changes in disability-related policies and regulations.
• Engaging with government agencies and stakeholders to influence policy changes and promote inclusive practices.
• Engage with key stakeholders at community, district and national level on matters of disabilities, child protection and well-being (Including youth groups, faith groups)
• Ensure that the national advocacy agenda on GESI (disability) and child protection are prioritized and achieved
• Represent WVM at appropriate national/District TWGs for coordination, advocacy coalitions on issues related to GESI (disability) or Child Protection
• Participate in Global/Regional Child Protection/GESI Communities of Practice, Regional Child Protection and GESI initiatives.

Requirements

• Degree in Education, Inclusive or Special Needs Education, Social Sciences, Disability Studies, Development Studies or any other relevant fields
• At least 3 years of broad and deep experience in community engagement, disability programming, education, child protection and advocacy
• Excellent facilitation, collaboration, communication, project management & critical analysis skills
• Previous experience of working with grassroots development structures including Village Development Committee, Area Development Committee and School-Based Structures such as Parents and Teachers Association, School Management Committee and Disabled People Organizations
• Experience of working with children with disabilities is desirable
• Basic understanding of transformational approaches in development
• Excellent written and presentation skills in English and any one local languages in Malawi
• Basic understanding community based development/Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) approaches.
• Strong leadership skills including ability to influence a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience managing child-focused development projects
• Professional level of specialized knowledge to manage complex tasks, programs or projects
• Proven sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively, analyses and be innovative, set priorities, manage work plans and
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

How to Apply

REF Code: JR25504