JOB DESCRIPTION

State Coordinator

JOB PURPOSE

The State Coordinator leads state-level coordination, government liaison, and MOU management for the organisation's child protection programme. The role provides guidance and support to District Programme Officers (DPOs), builds and sustains working relationships with state government departments and law enforcement agencies, and drives convergence among stakeholders working on the prevention, protection, and rehabilitation of children affected by Child Labour (CL), Child Trafficking (CT), Child Marriage (CM), and Child Sexual Abuse (CSA).

KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS (KRA)

• Provide guidance, support, and facilitation to Child Right Associates (CRAs) across the state's ADP districts.

• Facilitate administrative and operational support to DPOs for district-level programme implementation, in alignment with state policies, for smooth engagement and execution with the District Administration.

• Identify good practices at the district level and support their replication across the state.

• Coordinate with other NGOs operating in the child protection space within the state.

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with state government officials, ensuring alignment with policy priorities.

• Act as liaison between the organisation and government departments, securing necessary approvals and support for projects.

• Represent the organisation in meetings, forums, and policy discussions with government stakeholders.

• Ensure coordination and convergence among all child protection and law enforcement agencies within the state on prevention, protection, and rehabilitation activities.

• Maintain compliance with state government regulations and policies, and ensure effective collaboration with government entities at the state level.

• Facilitate issuance of notifications on CL/CT/CM, organise consultations, and support Department Orders (DOs) and drives against CL/CT/CM with the respective state departments.

• Ensure the rescue and rehabilitation of victims of CL/CT/CM/CSA.

• Develop formal partnerships with government departments within the state.

• Ensure the smooth, timely functioning of all MOUs in the state as per guidance from the Central Office.

• Develop an action plan for MOU implementation with the concerned department and share it with the Central Office for finalisation.

• Serve as the Nodal Person for MOUs, ensuring all aspects are implemented as agreed.

• Plan and execute MOU-related activities as directed by the Central Office.

• Hold regular review meetings with the government Nodal Person to track MOU activities.

• Prepare monthly reports on actions taken and outputs/outcomes achieved under each MOU.

• Undertake any other work assigned by the Supervisor.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)

• Number of children rescued from CL/CT/CM through partners, government LEAs, and directly by the State Coordinator.

• Number of notifications / Government Orders (GO) or Department Orders (DO) issued by the state government on CL/CT/CM/CSA.

• Number of victims of CL/CT/CM/CSA who received compensation and were rehabilitated.

• Number of partners and DPAs supported in implementing notifications/GO/DO and their related work.

• Number of policies, action plans, and capacity-building initiatives completed under MOUs.

• Support extended to cases filed under CL/CT/CM/CSA/CSEAM.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Post-graduate degree in MSW (Master of Social Work), Sociology, Social Sciences, Law, or any relevant field from a recognised university.

• A PhD or additional post-graduate certification in Child Rights, Human Rights, Public Policy, or a related area will be an added advantage.

• Minimum 5 years of progressive, hands-on experience in the child protection sector or a closely related development/social sector field is mandatory for this role.

• Demonstrated experience working with government departments, law enforcement agencies (LEAs), and civil society organisations on issues related to Child Labour (CL), Child Trafficking (CT), Child Marriage (CM), and Child Sexual Abuse (CSA).

• Prior experience in programme coordination, MOU management, or state-level advocacy is preferred.

• Familiarity with the POCSO Act, JJ Act, Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Act, and other relevant legislations is essential.

• Policy & Advocacy: Ability to engage with state-level policymakers, draft policy briefs, and facilitate issuance of Government Orders / Department Orders related to child protection.

• Programme & MOU Management: Proficiency in developing action plans, monitoring MOU implementation, and reporting on outputs and outcomes.

• Stakeholder & Government Liaison: Strong ability to build and sustain relationships with government officials, law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and community stakeholders.

• Legal Literacy: Working knowledge of child protection laws, rescue and rehabilitation protocols, and survivor-centred approaches.

• Data & Documentation: Strong skills in maintaining case records, preparing monthly/quarterly reports, and tracking KPIs.

• Capacity Building: Experience designing and delivering training for government functionaries, NGO partners, or community volunteers.

• Communication & Representation: Confident, articulate representation of the organisation in government forums, meetings, and policy discussions.

• Leadership & Team Coordination: Ability to guide and support District Programme Officers and ensure consistent, quality programme delivery across districts.

• Experience with MIS platforms or child protection information systems.

• Prior exposure to national-level child protection programmes (e.g., Mission Vatsalya, CHILDLINE, ICPS).