Education and Child Protection Officer (Training Facilitator)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

In Poland, IRC is supporting refugees and host communities with economic recovery, livelihood programs, and social protection initiatives to foster resilience and self-reliance.

JOB OVERVIEW:

REAL Talk is a two-year, EU-funded project that prevents gender-based violence (GBV) and cyber GBV among adolescents aged 11–16 in Poland, Italy and Estonia. It works with adolescents and with the adults around them: caregivers, especially fathers and male caregivers, and school staff and educators. IRC Poland leads the project’s work with caregivers and delivers all activities in Poland, together with IRC Italia (coordinator), Una Casa per l’Uomo, the University of Tartu and the International Child Development Initiatives (ICDI).

The Education and Child Protection Officer (Training Facilitator) is IRC Poland’s facilitator for REAL Talk. Working in tandem with another facilitator, the post holder delivers sessions of the project’s Cross-Cultural Socio-Emotional and Relational Education Model: dedicated sessions for adolescent boys, the “Cycle of Aware Fatherhood” workshops for fathers and male caregivers, and training for teachers and educators. The post holder also takes part in the project’s mandatory transnational training for facilitators, which starts on 12 November 2026.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Facilitation and delivery

• Facilitate sessions of the Model with adolescents aged 11–16 at the partner school: dedicated sessions for boys, and mixed-gender groups co-facilitated with the female facilitator. Groups have 10–15 adolescents and follow a series of 5–8 sessions of 100–120 minutes, reaching around 40 adolescents in Poland.
• Deliver the “Cycle of Aware Fatherhood”: a series of 4–6 workshops of 60–90 minutes for small groups of 3–8 fathers and male caregivers (around 15 in total), on masculinity, emotional literacy, non-violent role modelling and parenting in the digital age.
• Co-facilitate, with the female facilitator, mixed-gender information sessions for parents and caregivers on adolescent relationship violence, social media and online safety (around 80 caregivers).
• Co-deliver training for school staff (around 30 teachers, in groups of about 10) and online basic training sessions for educators across Poland (around 80 participants).
• Create a safe, trauma-informed and non-judgmental space in every session. Respond to disclosures following IRC procedures and refer participants to support services through the agreed referral pathways.

2. Preparation and learning

• Take part in, and prepare for, the mandatory transnational capacity-building sessions for facilitators (online, in English). The first session is on 12 November 2026, and further sessions follow through January 2027.
• Study the Model and adapt session plans and materials to the Polish context and to participants with migrant or refugee backgrounds, together with the female facilitator and the project lead.
• Prepare sessions, materials and logistics, and stay in contact with participants, especially fathers, in line with the project’s engagement and retention strategy for caregivers.
• In November 2026, support colleagues, where needed, in focus group discussions and key informant interviews for the project’s research on online masculinity norms.

3. Partnerships and coordination

• Coordinate with the partner school (leadership, teachers and school counsellors) on schedules, venues, consent procedures and the recruitment of participants.
• Plan, deliver and debrief sessions jointly with the female facilitator, and exchange practice with facilitators from the project’s partner organizations in Italy and Estonia.
• When requested, support other REAL Talk activities in Poland, such as consultations with adolescents and caregivers, the Champions workshop, the national webinar and the study visit to Poland.

4. Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL), safeguarding and compliance

• Administer pre- and post-session questionnaires and feedback tools, and collect signed attendance lists and consent forms, following MEAL guidance and data protection (GDPR) requirements.
• Record sex-disaggregated session data and write short session reports. Contribute lessons learned to the project’s deliverables and donor reports.
• Apply the IRC Child Safeguarding Policy, the IRC Poland Child Protection Response Procedure and the IRC Way standards at all times. Report any concern immediately to the Protection and Safeguarding Coordinator.
• Make sure session materials carry the EU funding acknowledgement required by the donor.
• Mainstream gender equality, inclusion and a Do No Harm approach in all activities.
• Carry out other duties assigned by the supervisor, within the scope of the project.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Working time: part-time. The indicative workload is around 230 hours over the assignment; the exact working time is confirmed in the offer.
• November 2026 – January 2027: onboarding, five online transnational training sessions of about two hours each (the first on 12 November 2026) and, if needed, support to the research activities. The successful candidate must be able to start in time for the first session.
• February – May 2027 (dates to be confirmed): delivery of sessions with adolescents, fathers, parents, teachers and educators, as the partner school is confirmed and the school semester allows. The rest of the assignment covers follow-up and reporting.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in education, pedagogy, psychology, social work, sociology, gender studies or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Additional training in facilitation, child protection or trauma-informed practice is an asset.

Experience

• At least 2 years of experience facilitating group sessions or workshops with adolescents and/or adults (such as parents or teachers) in a school, NGO, youth or community setting.
• Experience addressing sensitive topics, such as relationships, consent, violence, masculinity or online risks, in a participatory and non-judgmental way.
• Experience in gender equality, GBV prevention, engaging men and boys, positive parenting or child protection is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with approaches such as Engaging Men through Accountable Practice (EMAP), Engaging Adolescent Boys in Accountable Practice (EABAP) or My Safety, My Wellbeing is an asset.
• Experience working with refugee or migrant communities, or in EU- or donor-funded projects, is an asset.

Skills and competencies

• Strong facilitation skills: able to build trust quickly with adolescent boys, fathers and teachers, and to manage group dynamics.
• Commitment to gender equality, an anti-racist and Do No Harm approach, and to modelling respectful behaviour. Ability to work in close tandem with a co-facilitator and in an international team.
• Good planning and organizational skills, attention to detail and reliable record keeping.
• Good digital skills: Microsoft Office, Teams, Zoom or Google Meet, confidence delivering online sessions, and an understanding of social media and online safety.
• Languages: Polish (fluent or native) and English (upper-intermediate or higher, as the transnational training is delivered in English). Ukrainian and/or Russian is an asset.
• Willingness to travel within Poland, and to deliver some sessions in the late afternoon or evening.
• Right to work in Poland.

Appointment is subject to the safeguarding screening for work with minors required by Polish law and IRC policy, including a certificate from the National Criminal Register, a check in the Register of Sexual Offenders and, where applicable, certificates from other countries of residence.

We encourage male candidates to apply as the sessions are to be delivered to adolescent boys.

This position is expected to end on December 31, 2027.

Compensation: (Pay Rate: 100 PLN/hr). Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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