Coordinadora Fortalecimiento del Sistema de Protección (ChildSafe)

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization that fulfills the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable around the world. Founded to embody the social and moral teachings of the Catholic Church, CRS values, preserves, and defends the dignity of all human life. The organization collaborates with local, national, and international Catholic institutions and structures, as well as other organizations, to assist individuals based on their needs, regardless of their creed, background, or nationality. CRS welcomes individuals from all religions and secular traditions who share the values and commitment to serve those in need as part of its staff or as partners. In El Salvador, CRS operates in areas such as Peacebuilding and Youth, Emergencies, and Agriculture, organizing its work across various municipalities with diverse partners and allies.

Job Overview:
The position will facilitate the achievement of project objectives by coordinating field actions at the departmental and municipal levels, ensuring that agreed actions at the central level are implemented effectively. The role will link directives with municipalities within the coverage area, ensuring quality implementation, collection of learnings, and evidence that informs project leadership for decision-making, programmatic adaptation, and achievement of established project milestones. Additionally, the coordinator will support the strengthening of child protection systems, comprehensive child development services, family strengthening, service referrals, family care, case management, monitoring, and reporting to advance the work of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in serving the poor and vulnerable. Coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the project applies best practices and continuously works to improve the impact of its benefits on those served.

Duties and Responsibilities:
General Responsibilities: Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned project activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan, in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Ensure that learning accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Support accountability by coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in reflecting on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to implementation plans and schedules. Coordinate and supervise working relationships with all local project stakeholders and serve as a liaison between them and the project team to mobilize local actors and promote project activities and impact. Supervise and conduct ad hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to ensure timely activities, implementation, and compliance with established standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget milestone reviews and follow-up and assistance to the implementing partner. Support and coordinate capacity strengthening and technical support activities to ensure that assigned activities are implemented according to project guidelines and standards. Coordinate the provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners. Ensure that project documentation for assigned activities is complete with all required documents and archived according to agency and donor requirements. Assist in preparing trend analysis reports and documenting case studies and promising practices. Specific Responsibilities: Support municipal governments in the project coverage area in developing action plans, staffing structures, and budgets necessary to implement child protection policies and respond to child protection and care needs in areas with a high concentration of children in residential care. Strengthen monitoring mechanisms and improve coordination of referrals to services for children and families, ensuring they receive necessary support and reducing reliance on residential care in the project coverage area. Collaborate on capacity strengthening strategies for staff to implement the national positive parenting curriculum endorsed by relevant entities. Increase awareness and commitment among departmental and municipal actors to prevent institutionalization and promote the return of children to family care. Participate in advocacy and influence working groups and forums in favor of children, promoting the establishment of child-focused services in the coverage area. In coordination with the project monitoring team, collect information and evidence to document strengthening processes of the system, family strengthening, and service referrals, to inform decision-making and adaptive management while generating information to document project milestones. Provide technical assistance and capacity development to local partner staff, ensuring comprehensive implementation and exchange of learnings among project components.

Required Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field. Postgraduate or Master's degree in Child Protection, Child Development, or a related field (preferred). Experience: Minimum of 4 years of work experience supporting projects, ideally in the area of Child Protection and in an NGO. Experience working with partners, planning participatory actions, and community engagement. Experience in monitoring projects and collecting relevant data. Personal Skills: Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound decisions. Good relationship management skills at the local (municipal and departmental) level. Ability to work closely with local partners, strengthen their capacities, and provide technical support. Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented mindset. Attention to detail, accuracy, and punctuality in executing assigned responsibilities. Ability to effectively use MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Educational Background:
A Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field is required, with a preference for candidates holding a postgraduate or Master's degree in Child Protection, Child Development, or a related field.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience, particularly in supporting projects related to Child Protection within an NGO context. Candidates should have experience working collaboratively with partners, engaging in participatory planning, and community involvement, as well as experience in project monitoring and data collection.

Languages:
The position requires proficiency in English at an intermediate level. Knowledge of additional languages may be beneficial but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in San Salvador, but the nature of the work requires the individual to be available for travel to project implementation sites. The duration of the contract is subject to the availability of project funding and other internal processes based on local law. CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff, and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse. Candidates should be aware that they will undergo a comprehensive background check and that references will be requested to evaluate behaviors related to safeguarding issues. CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.