JOB POSTING – Child Protection & Psychosocial Support Specialist
Organization: Right To Play International
Department/Division: Global Program Development
Work Location: One of Right To Play offices (Burundi, Canada, Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan,
Lebanon, Mali, Mozambique, Pakistan, the Palestinian Territories, Rwanda,
Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda or United Kingdom)
Work Arrangement: A combination of in-office and remote-working in accordance with Right To Play’s
work arrangement and the operational needs of the department
Authorized to work in: One of the countries listed above (eligible to work legally without visa or work
permit sponsorship)
Target Hiring Range: Local salary scale applies (Grade 8). Hiring range and benefits will be shared with
applicants as part of the recruitment process.
Target Start Date: Immediate
Contract Duration: Full-time, long-term engagement
Application Closing Date: Open until position is filled
ABOUT US:
Right To Play is a global organisation that protects, educates and empowers children to rise above adversity
through the power of play. We help millions of children each year to stay in school and out of work, to prevent
life-threatening diseases and to stay safe from exploitation and abuse. We are the leading global development
organization that uses play to transform the lives of children and youth impacted by poverty, war, disease and
inequality.
Established in 2000, Right To Play reaches children through experiential programming in 15 countries in Africa,
Asia, the Middle East, and North America. These programs are supported by our headquarters in Toronto, Canada;
London, UK and seven national offices across Europe and North America.
With a shared passion for our mission, our Culture Code guides how we act and interact based on five core pillars:
• Accept Everyone – Be intentional about inclusion
• Make Things Happen – Seek opportunities to lead and innovate
• Display Courage – Act with integrity
• Demonstrate Care – Look after yourself and one another
• Be Playful – Have fun at work
Please visit our website to learn more about who we are and what we do, and watch this video to find out about
the five pillars of our Culture Code.
Mailing Address: PO Box 108, Toronto Adelaide Retail, Toronto, ON M5C 2H8
Street and Courier Address: 43 Front St E, Unit 200, Toronto, ON M5E 1B3
Phone: + 1 416 498 1922 Website: righttoplay.com
ROLE SUMMARY:
Right To Play is a global leader in leveraging the power of play to address child protection issues, with a specific
focus on psychosocial support for children and young people. We support work across the continuum of
development and humanitarian contexts. Our approach to PSS centres on delivering focused non-specialised
support, family and community supports, and safe referral systems for children in education and community
settings.
The Child Protection & Psychosocial Support (PSS) Specialist will provide strategic and technical leadership and
support to guide the effective integration and achievement of child protection and psychosocial wellbeing
outcomes across Right To Play’s (RTP’s) programs. You will provide technical guidance on child protection and
PSS standards and approaches. This position will also be responsible for providing skills building, resource
development, coaching and mentorship support, including facilitating a PSS community of practice and
encouraging learning and best practice in child protection and PSS amongst teams. You will guide the
development of new project models to address the protection and psychosocial support needs of children in
diverse contexts.
Reporting to the Global Technical Lead, Gender Equality and Health, you will work closely with a diverse team of
program specialists within the Program Quality and Impact (PQI) teams. You will work in partnership with
Country Office based Child Protection Specialists and focal points to ensure that child protection and
psychosocial wellbeing programs are developed, implemented, and measured in line with global best practice
and learning on what works from the sector. You will also be responsible for ensuring that child protection and
psychosocial wellbeing program results are achieved and appropriately measured to further RTP’s thought
leadership and advocacy efforts.
This position will include international travel up to 20% per year.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
#1: Strategic Leadership on Child Protection and PSS (30% of Time):
• Design and manage Child Protection/PSS Strategy, build on existing strategies, theory of change and
evidence of what works to support children’s PSS through play
• Support RTP to align strategy and programs to Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS) and Mental
Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Minimum Standards
• Provide guidance and collaborate with other subject matter specialists to integrate child protection and
PSS approaches into global programming and guidance documents, toolkits, MEL guidance documents,
resources, and quality assurance processes.
• In partnership with Country Offices and the Global Program Unit, establish quality assurance mechanisms,
document learnings and report on delivery of RTP’s Strategic Plan goals related to child protection and
psychosocial wellbeing.
• Collaborate with MEL team to effectively integrate child participation and protection considerations
within MEL approaches, standards and guidelines.
• Collaborate with GPD and Global MEL team to manage RTP’s global research agenda and evaluation
approaches, including identifying appropriate partners and methodologies for monitoring and evaluating
Mailing Address: PO Box 108, Toronto Adelaide Retail, Toronto, ON M5C 2H8
Street and Courier Address: 43 Front St E, Unit 200, Toronto, ON M5E 1B3
Phone: + 1 416 498 1922 Website: righttoplay.com
child protection and psychosocial wellbeing.
• Contribute to organizational initiatives at the global level to implement and reinforce RTP’s thought
leadership strategy for psychosocial wellbeing of children.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
#2: Drive Innovation and Program Design (25% of Time):
• Develop new, or revise existing, child protection and psychosocial wellbeing project models based on
evidence from RTP’s programs and learning from what works in organisations delivering similar work.
• Collaborate with Country Offices to strengthen program adaptation based on results and learnings of
what works in programming to support children’s wellbeing through child protection and PSS,
particularly in relation to education.
• Collaborate with GPD, MEL and country technical specialists to develop standards and guidance on play-
based approaches and methodology to achieve child protection and psychosocial wellbeing programs
outcomes.
• Collaborate with MEL and Scale and Innovation functions to align Child Protection and PSS portfolio with
RTP’s emerging approach to piloting, research and development.
____________________________________________________________________________________
#3: Support Quality Programming (25% of Time):
• Support ongoing learning and knowledge sharing with Country Office Child Protection Specialists/Focal
Points and Program and MEL Teams on child protection and psychosocial wellbeing programming and
measurement approaches.
• Coordinate and facilitate Child Protection and PSS technical trainings t.
• Train and mentor RTP staff to train volunteers and service providers on basic, focused, non-specialised
PSS services (level 3).
• Provide technical backstopping on child protection and psychosocial wellbeing programming, based on
needs and priorities identified by Country Offices.
• Lead global initiatives for child protection and psychosocial wellbeing related to coaching and capacity
building, including facilitating a Child Protection and PSS community of practice.
• Provide child protection and psychosocial wellbeing technical leadership on multi-country and strategic
business development opportunities.
• Work in partnership with Global Partnerships Team and Fundraising Offices to communicate RTP’s
strengths related to play, child protection and psychosocial wellbeing programming and outcomes,
including contributing to capacity statements, proposal development and representing RTP in key donor
forums.
____________________________________________________________________________________
#4: Thought Leadership, Representation and Partnership (15% of Time):
• Identify and liaise with global child protection and MHPSS networks, working groups, conferences and
coalitions (e.g. Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, Global Protection Cluster, and other
child relevant protection organizations or networks).
• Ensure exchange of information, experience, identify new strategies and courses of action to accelerate
and improve the delivery of PSS interventions and achieve broader child protection program
requirements and objectives.
Contribute to internal and external communication products, research reports, case studies, technical
notes and training resources on child protection and psychosocial wellbeing.
• Stay abreast of child protection issues, policies, research and best practices and help ensure that
innovative, sustainable and effective approaches and methodologies are pursued in Right To Play’s
programs.
• Develop and strengthens core partnerships and networks with key universities, research institutions,
and international/regional NGOs to contribute to the broader Play based PSS advocacy and research.
• Support Country Offices in strategic partnership development on child protection and psychosocial
wellbeing related themes.
___________________________________________________________________________________
#5: Other Tasks as Assigned (5% of Time) including:
• Promoting and upholding high standards of child and youth safeguarding, participation and accountability
across all of RTP’s work
• Understanding and embedding the principles of gender equality and social inclusion into project and
program design, implementation and quality assurance
• Upholding a commitment to learn about, promote and embed play-based approaches to learning
• Engage in ongoing learning and upskilling related to gender equality and social inclusion through play-
based learning
___________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT YOU’LL BRING (ESSENTIAL):
EDUCATION/TRAINING/CERTIFICATION:
• Master’s degree in related field (Psychology, Social Work, Child Protection, Social Science, International
Development, or related field or equivalent professional experience
EXPERIENCE:
• Proven experience in child protection programming in a humanitarian or development child centered
organization.
• Lived experience in Africa, Asia, or the Middle East working within a humanitarian or international
development setting.
• Familiarity and active involvement with the global child protection and MHPSS networks, including
experience of working with government and child protection partners at national and international level
• Demonstrated experience in program design for child protection and/or child focused PSS programming.
• Experience developing and facilitating training and mentoring programs on child protection issues,
including PSS.
• Experience providing technical oversight and guidance to support the delivery of quality outcomes in
child protection programming, particularly within the area of PSS.
• Demonstrated experience in policy processes, including research, reviews and formulation with evidence
of similar assignments in other countries; and experience to advocate and provide policy advice
COMPETENCIES/PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:
• Ability to multi-task, maintain a high degree of organization, and meet deadlines
Mailing Address: PO Box 108, Toronto Adelaide Retail, Toronto, ON M5C 2H8
Street and Courier Address: 43 Front St E, Unit 200, Toronto, ON M5E 1B3
Phone: + 1 416 498 1922 Website: righttoplay.com
• Highly adaptable, demonstrating a flexible attitude and an ability to work with people from various
backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to lead strategically and collaboratively, including team management skills.
• Demonstrated change management skills, including the ability to lead implementation of new systems
and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change.
• Excellent relationship building and management with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to address the intersectionality of child protection issues and program with gender, inclusion,
poverty and racism.
• Open to feedback and actively engaged in continuous learning and development.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
• Technical and practical knowledge and understanding of key principles and best practice in child focused
PSS programming and its application in different contexts.
• Knowledge of key child protection issues in development and humanitarian contexts, and applying
humanitarian principles and standards, including do no harm principles.
• Knowledge of child centred and participatory approaches to program design and/or research.
• Outstanding communication skills, oral and written, including presentation skills and reporting writing.
• Ability to support the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development
programs and projects.
LANGUAGES:
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
BONUS IF YOU’LL BRING (NOT ESSENTIAL):
• Experience with child focused, non specialized PSS programming.
• Knowledge of Arabic and/or French.
• MHPSS course and/or certificates.
• Child rights and protection courses and/or certificates.
• Training/professional experience in gender equality and/or inclusion.
WHAT YOU’LL GET:
The opportunity to collaborate with an innovative global team who are passionate about working with children
and youth. You will gain experience working for a globally recognized organization with a healthy culture premised
on our Culture Code (accept everyone, make things happen, display courage, demonstrate care and be playful).
You will be immersed in an environment where learning and development is encouraged and valued, and “play”
is appreciated as a core avenue to building community.
• Competitive salary and benefits
• Flexible work arrangements (e.g. work from home and flex hours)
• 5 personal learning and development (L&D) days per year
• Annual learning week
• Annual staff recognition awards
Mailing Address: PO Box 108, Toronto Adelaide Retail, Toronto, ON M5C 2H8
Street and Courier Address: 43 Front St E, Unit 200, Toronto, ON M5E 1B3
Phone: + 1 416 498 1922 Website: righttoplay.com
• Opportunity to connect with employees across our offices (Global Buddy Chat, Facebook Workplace)
• Opportunity to engage in global projects and initiatives
• Wellness programs
• Playful activities and events
HOW TO APPLY:
If you are interested in applying for this position, please apply with your resume and cover letter in English via the
application link.
Application Link: https://righttoplay.hiringplatform.ca/142621-child-protection-and-psychosocial-support-
specialist/579785-application-form/en
While we thank all applicants for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Shortlisting
of applications will begin immediately and interviews may be held before the closing date.
Right To Play provides equal employment opportunities to employees regardless of their gender, race, religion,
age, disability, sexual orientation or marital status. As such, we encourage groups who have been historically
disadvantaged with respect to employment to apply for positions at Right To Play. We offer a family-friendly
environment that allows for flexible work arrangements in order to support staff diversity and ensure a healthy
work-life balance.
We value and promote a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Should you require
any accessibility related accommodations or specific adjustments to ensure fair and equitable access throughout
the recruitment and selection process, and thereafter, please reach out to the People & Culture team by email
at careers@righttoplay.com. All information provided will be treated as confidential and used only to provide an
accessible candidate experience.
We are a child-centered organization. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to the
safety and protection of children in our programs. The successful candidate will be required to provide a
satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Screening or equivalent criminal check as a condition of employment.
EMPLOYEE VACCINE POLICY:
To protect the health and safety of our employees and the communities we serve, Right To Play requires all
employees and volunteers based in Canada to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The successful candidate will
be required to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.
To learn more about who we are and what we do, please visit our website at www.righttoplay.com.