Job Description

Save the Children International

Save the Children International is a leading global humanitarian organization that has been protecting children's rights worldwide for over 100 years. We operate in more than 100 countries, responding to emergencies, implementing innovative development programs, and advocating for children's rights on a global scale.

Our work in Ukraine began in 2014. Since then, we have significantly expanded our presence, providing support to children and families affected by war. Our key areas of focus include education, child protection, food security, social support, and advocacy to drive lasting change in children's lives.

ROLE PURPOSE:

The CP, MHPSS & CM Coordinator is responsible for planning, coordinating, implementing, and monitoring integrated Child Protection (CP), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and Case Management (CM) programmes in Save the Children’s South Area Office (SAO), covering Mykolaiv and Kherson Oblasts. The role oversees both direct implementation and partner-led activities, ensuring high-quality, effective, evidence-based, and contextually appropriate services that promote children's safety, protection, mental well-being, and resilience.

Under the supervision of the Head of Programs or equivalent, and with guidance from relevant Technical Advisors and Specialists, the Coordinator oversees programme implementation, monitoring, reporting, budget management, procurement planning, partner coordination, and technical support to programme staff and caseworkers. The role ensures effective referral pathways, quality service delivery, and compliance with organizational policies and international standards, including the Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS) and IASC MHPSS Guidelines.

The Coordinator supervises the implementation of Save the Children’s Common Approaches and structured interventions, including Safe Families, HEART, TeamUp, ISMF, and other group-based activities delivered through Child-Friendly Spaces, learning centers, and community settings.

The role also contributes to strengthening local child protection systems and community-based mechanisms through capacity building, collaboration with local authorities and service providers, and cross-sectoral coordination with internal teams, including Case Management, Gender, Alternative Care, Education, MEAL, and Operations.

Additionally, the Coordinator supports advocacy, staff well-being, programme accountability, and evidence-based decision-making, while ensuring effective use of PRIME for programme planning, monitoring, and reporting.

In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities and adjust working hours accordingly.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

1. Programme Identification and Planning

• Conduct context analysis and needs assessments to identify priorities, gaps, and opportunities for CP, MHPSS & CM interventions.
• Contribute to programme design, proposal development, activity budgeting, and implementation planning in line with organizational priorities and donor requirements.
• Develop and maintain implementation, procurement, and activity plans in coordination with relevant teams and partners.
• Ensure integrated programming through collaboration with Education, FSL, Shelter/NFI, WASH, and other sectors.

1. Case Management Supervision and Coordination

• Supervise caseworkers throughout the case management process, including identification, registration, assessment, care planning, referrals, follow-up, and case closure.
• Ensure compliance with Case Management Guidelines, Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS), and humanitarian principles.
• Conduct case file reviews, oversee case planning and monitoring, and ensure timely, confidential, and quality service delivery.
• Promote family-based alternative care for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), including oversight of foster care interventions.
• Maintain updated service mapping and effective referral pathways in coordination with service providers.

1. Award Implementation and Management

• Coordinate the implementation of CP, MHPSS & CM activities, including Safe Families, HEART, TeamUp, ISMF, group-based psychosocial support, family outreach, and community awareness initiatives.
• Identify safe, accessible, and inclusive implementation locations, including Child-Friendly Spaces, learning centers, and community facilities, and ensure appropriate exit or handover strategies.
• Oversee programme budgets, financial forecasting, procurement planning, and compliance with donor and Save the Children policies.
• Ensure effective use of PRIME for programme planning, implementation tracking, and reporting.
• Coordinate with Education and other programme teams to integrate MHPSS interventions into relevant activities.
• Lead community engagement and collaboration with local authorities to strengthen child protection and prevent family separation.
• Ensure adherence to relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical guidelines, and quality standards.

1. Programme Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning

• Monitor programme quality and compliance with Save the Children Quality Benchmarks, CPMS, IASC MHPSS Guidelines, and Core Humanitarian Standards.
• Work closely with MEAL teams to ensure accurate data collection, appropriate use of CommCare, and timely monitoring of programme outputs and outcomes.
• Contribute to donor and internal reporting, documentation of lessons learned, and evidence-based programme improvements.
• Ensure meaningful child participation and accessible, child-friendly feedback and accountability mechanisms.
• Support project closure, final reporting, and after-action reviews.

1. Team Management and Capacity Building

• Line manage and supervise CP/MHPSS and CM Officers, as well as relevant specialists engaged under service contracts.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback to staff.
• Organise training and capacity-building activities for staff and partners on CP, MHPSS & CM approaches, including HEART, TeamUp, YRP, and ISMF.
• Promote staff well-being, professional development, and a positive, inclusive, and accountable team culture.

1. Partnership Management

• Coordinate with implementing partners to ensure quality programme delivery, effective reporting, and alignment with project objectives.
• Review partner reports, monitor implementation progress, and support adaptive planning.
• Strengthen partners' technical and organizational capacities and support the development of relationships with local NGOs, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders.

1. External Representation and Advocacy

• Represent Save the Children in relevant coordination mechanisms, clusters, and working groups, including Child Protection, MHPSS, and Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE).
• Support advocacy initiatives in collaboration with Advocacy, Communications, Campaigns, and Media teams.
• Promote effective coordination and information sharing with external stakeholders.

1. Internal Coordination and Collaboration

• Collaborate with Programme Development & Quality, MEAL, Awards, Finance, Operations, Safety and Security, and other programme teams to ensure integrated and effective implementation.
• Share programme learning, technical recommendations, and best practices to inform strategic planning and programme development.
• Coordinate with Safety and Security colleagues to adapt programme activities to changing operational and security conditions.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability

• Takes personal responsibility for decisions, effective use of resources, high-quality results, and acting in alignment with Save the Children values.
• Supports colleagues and partners to take ownership of their responsibilities by providing guidance, opportunities for development, and constructive feedback.
• Addresses underperformance proactively and fairly, ensuring accountability for outcomes.

Ambition

• Sets clear, ambitious goals for themselves and contributes to a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.
• Actively promotes and communicates the vision of Save the Children to inspire, motivate and engage others.
• Thinks creatively and strategically to drive progress and long-term impact for children.

Collaboration

• Builds positive, trusting, and inclusive relationships with staff, partners, and stakeholders.
• Values diversity and different perspectives as strengths that enhance the organization’s collective impact.
• Demonstrates strong communication skills, showing empathy, openness, and willingness to support others.

Creativity

• Proactively seeks and encourages innovative, practical solutions to improve effectiveness and staff experience.
• Confident in proposing new ideas and taking responsible, well-considered risks to enhance results.

Integrity

• Acts with honesty, fairness and professionalism in all interactions.
• Promotes an environment of transparency, trust, and mutual respect, upholding the highest ethical standards.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Education

• Postgraduate university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Psychology, Social Sciences, Mental Health, or a related field.

Experience (Required)

• Minimum 2 years of experience in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in a humanitarian context.
• 1–3 years of progressively responsible management experience in Case Management (CM), Child Protection (CP), MHPSS, or related sectors.
• At least 1 year of experience in emergency settings.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in project coordination or management, preferably within the NGO sector.
• Proven experience in project management, including collaboration with local NGOs and implementing partners.

Experience (Desirable)

• Proactive, self-motivated, and able to identify challenges and propose practical solutions.
• Strong teamwork skills, adaptability, patience, and ability to communicate effectively under pressure.
• Commitment to child safeguarding, humanitarian principles, inclusion, gender sensitivity, and non-discrimination.
• Strong dedication to protecting vulnerable and at-risk children.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Save the Children is committed to create a truly inclusive, effective and representative organisational culture, encouraging equity and diversity among its employees and eliminating discrimination. Having a diverse profile of employees, different age groups, backgrounds, cultures, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientation etc., including a range of different experiences and capabilities helps us understand, represent and serve children better. Therefore, all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or age.

Child Safeguarding Policy:

We are committed to ensuring children's safety. Our recruitment process includes strict background checks and reflects our commitment to protecting children from harm.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Safeguarding, Code of Conduct and other policies.

Health and Safety:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Application Information:

If you are interested in this position, please submit your CV and cover letter in English and include details of your salary expectation and English proficiency.

We need to keep children and their families safe, so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the safeguarding of children from abuse.

Disclaimer:

Please be cautious of individuals who may misuse the Save the Children name to solicit fees from job seekers. We do not engage third parties or agencies to recruit candidates. If someone contacts you promising recruitment or placement at Save the Children for a fee, please do not proceed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.