The ongoing crisis in Sudan has resulted in a significant influx of refugees into the northeastern region of the Central African Republic (CAR), particularly in Birao, Vakaga Prefecture. As of March 2025, an estimated 26,000 refugees have settled in the Korsi site, with women and children comprising approximately 80% of this population (UNHCR Dashboard, March 2025). These refugees face acute protection risks, including a growing number of incidents involving the recruitment and use of children by armed actors. Humanitarian reports and community-based networks have highlighted the covert presence of suspected Rapid Support Forces (RSF) elements within displacement sites such as Korsi. This has heightened the vulnerability of refugee children and underscores the need for sensitive and context-specific prevention programs.
The volatile and complex environment in Korsi marked by community mistrust, linguistic barriers, and the presence of armed actors poses additional challenges. The suspension of UNICEF’s activities in the area due to funding constraints has further limited the reach and impact of child protection interventions. Both local and international NGOs have raised concerns about the absence of culturally and linguistically appropriate engagement approaches, leaving significant gaps in preventive measures to safeguard children.
To address these urgent protection needs, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and UNICEF have signed an agreement to scale up child protection interventions for refugees in Korsi site in Birao and have agreed to deploy a Child Protection Consultant with a Sudanese cultural and linguistic background to provide immediate support.
The consultant will work closely with the community, and provide the following activities:
· Build the capacity of community-based child protection networks (Reseau Communautaires de Protection de l’enfant), parents, and youth to prevent and respond to child protection risks.
· Strengthening case management and referral pathways to ensure timely and appropriate support for vulnerable children.
· Designing and delivering culturally sensitive training modules to address the specific needs of Sudanese refugee children and their families.
Given the high need for someone who speaks the language, IRC (based on the agreement with UNICEF) is looking for a dedicated Child Protection Consultant to reinforce community resilience, support establishment of community based child protection structures in the site.
1. Objective of the individual consultancy
The objective of this consultancy is to strengthen the capacity of Sudanese refugee communities in the Korsi site to prevent and respond to child protection risks. Specifically, the consultant will:
Build the capacity of community-based child protection networks (RECOPE), parents, and youth to identify, prevent, and address protection risks, including the recruitment and use of children by armed actors.Strengthen case management systems and referral pathways to ensure timely and appropriate support for vulnerable children.Design and deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate training modules tailored to the specific needs of Sudanese refugee children and their families, fostering community resilience and self-reliance in child protection.2. Scope of Work and Responsibilities
Under the joint supervision of the IRC Child Protection Coordinator, and technical guidance from UNICEF, the consultant will:
1. Conduct community-level participatory risk assessments to understand drivers of child recruitment and identify context-specific preventive measures.
2. Design and guide the implementation of community outreach and awareness sessions in relevant Sudanese dialects, with the following group:
- Children and adolescents.
- Women and parents.
- Child Protection Community Based Structures
- Youth Committees.
3. Train child protection community-based child protection structures (such as RECOPE) and support their regular engagement with families and children.
4. Establish confidential identification and referral of at-risk or already-recruited children to appropriate services.
5. Design structured life skills and resilience activities for adolescent girls and boys in Korsi site, including organization of TOT on life skills.
3. Deliverables and timeline
Tasks
Deliverables
Timeline
1) Design and guide the implementation of outreach and awareness sessions in relevant Sudanese dialects for different groups in the Korsi site.
A detailed plan of action developed; at least 100 Sudanese refugees trained to cascade outreach activities.
5 days
2) Conduct trainings for child protection community-based structures (RECOPE) on child protection and case management and support their regular engagement with families and children.Protection basic principles, communication with children and sensitization in in line with the national guideline.
At least 100 RECOPE members trained on child protection and case management for improved identification, prevention, and referrals.
7days
3) Organise a training for volunteers onCase Management – level 1 of the curriculum
20 community case managers are capable of case management.
15 days with 4 days preparations
4) Training of the Members of youth clubs on child rights and child protection principles
the 20 youth clubs have their action plan
5 days
5) Conduct specialized training for Sudanese educated refugees and teachers on life skills and MHPSS to enhance resilience and psychosocial support for adolescents.
At least 30 community-based teachers and facilitators trained on life skills and MHPSS programming.
10 working days
5) Create and support the establishment of confidential identification and referral mechanisms for at-risk or already-recruited children.
Secure, community-based mechanisms for identification and referral established.
5 days
8) Develop and submit a comprehensive final mission report summarizing activities, results, and recommendations.
Final consultancy report submitted.
5working days
UpdateMinimum Qualifications:· Advanced degree in social science, or 5 years of experience in lieu of the advanced degree.
· Minimum of 5 years’ experience in child protection within humanitarian settings.
· Highly familiar with Sudanese culture and language.
· Highly familiar with programing with and for adolescents.
· Experience in the prevention and response to child recruitment.
· Highly skilled in training and facilitation.
· Demonstrated capacity for community engagement and awareness-raising in displacement or refugee settings.
· Experience working with Sudanese communities from Darfur is desired.
· Familiarity with international child protection standards and humanitarian principles.
· Experience in the establishment of referral mechanisms.
· Experience in community engagement.
· Experience working with UN agencies or INGOs on child protection in emergencies.
Fluent in spoken and written Arabic.1. Administrative and Logistical Arrangements
IRC covers all travel-related expenses, including tickets, accommodation in Bangui and Birao, and visa fees.
Working Environment: The consultation will take place in Birao, Northeast of the Central Africa Republic. Travel to 21 July to 21 September.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.
Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.