Terms of Reference (ToR)
Protection Advisor – ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR)
Recruiting office: ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR)
Job title: Protection Advisor
Host location: Jordan, Syria, or Lebanon
Other countries supported: Frequent visits to countries in the Arab Region where ActionAid is active
Contract duration: Delivery / Milestone based and within 6 months.
Primary focus
Protection, SGBV, safeguarding, nexus programming, and partner capacity strengthening
1. Introduction
ActionAid is a global movement dedicated to advancing human rights, fighting injustice, and eradicating poverty. This ToR outlines the scope and expectations for a Protection Advisor who will support ActionAid Arab Region (AAAR) and its local partners to strengthen nexus programming with a particular focus on protection, SGBV, safeguarding, capacity development, and quality implementation across fragile and humanitarian settings.
2. Purpose of Consultancy
The consultant/ Advisor will support AAAR and local partners in strengthening protection components within nexus programming. The advisor will lead the refinement of protection-related policies, manuals, training curricula, and Terms of Reference, while also strengthening staff and partner capacity through training, mentoring, technical accompaniment, and representation in relevant protection coordination mechanisms.
3. Objectives
- Support AAAR and local partners to strengthen protection and SGBV components within nexus programming.
- Review, refine, and strengthen protection-related policies, manuals, training curricula, and TORs.
- Lead the design of youth-friendly protection training curricula and learning materials suited to the regional context.
- Build the capacity of AAAR staff and local partners through training, mentorship, and technical support.
- Enhance the quality, consistency, and standards compliance of AAAR protection and safeguarding programming.
4. Scope of Work / Deliverables
A. Technical Support and Programme Quality
- Review and refine existing protection-related policies, manuals, training curricula, TORs, and related tools in close collaboration with AAAR technical colleagues and local partners.
- Lead the design of youth-friendly protection training curricula and other nexus-related learning materials.
- Develop context-appropriate training packages and learning materials on protection, SGBV, and safeguarding.
- Support the design and review of protection projects and programmes to ensure alignment with inter-agency guidelines, standards, and a nexus approach.
- Undertake participatory monitoring visits with relevant programme managers to assess quality standards, identify gaps, and recommend improvements.
- Support research and needs assessments on protection, SGBV, MHPSS, and related vulnerability issues.
B. Capacity Development and Mentoring
- Serve as a focal point for the roll-out of protection training and capacity development for local partners.
- Coordinate and facilitate training sessions for AAAR staff and local partners on protection and SGBV in emergencies and protracted crises.
- Provide ongoing mentoring and learning support to strengthen the delivery and quality of partner-led protection activities.
- Support induction processes for partners and new staff on protection, safeguarding, and nexus-related issues.
- Support in-country and cross-country learning processes and contribute to professional learning networks and relevant working groups.
C. Coordination, Representation, and Safeguarding
- Work with AAAR local partners, and affected communities to ensure participatory analysis informs programme design and implementation.
- Represent AAAR in relevant protection and SGBV coordination forums, including clusters, sub-working groups, global networks, and other coordination meetings with government, UN agencies, civil society, and donors.
- Support the AAAR regional safeguarding focal point in the implementation and strengthening of safeguarding measures and policies.
- Provide technical support to the AAAR fundraising team in the development of proposals and strategies related to protection and nexus programming.
5. Expected Results
Timeline and Milestone will be agreed between ActionAid and Consultant at the proposal stage.
- Improved and updated protection-related manuals, policies, training curricula, and TORs are in place.
- AAAR staff and local partners demonstrate strengthened technical capacity through training, mentoring, and applied support.
- Protection and SGBV programming quality is enhanced across AAAR nexus interventions.
- Safeguarding and protection mainstreaming are better integrated into programme design and implementation.
- AAAR has stronger technical positioning and engagement in relevant protection coordination spaces.
6. Reporting and Collaboration
The advisor will work closely with AAAR Head of Program, programme managers, safeguarding focal points, country teams, and local partners. Regular coordination and reporting arrangements will be agreed at the start of the placement to ensure quality delivery, accountability, and alignment with AAAR priorities.
7 Required skills and professional experience
- Extensive experience providing technical support in the humanitarian sector and strengthening technical teams and local partners.
- Experience in the design and implementation of training on protection and nexus-related issues.
- Past experience in Capacity Building and Mentoring, Understnading of Youth Programming and Gender
- At least 5 years of experience in the protection sector, preferably with refugees or internally displaced populations, including at least 3 years in protection projects and MHPSS / SGBV prevention and response.
- Experience in case management and psychosocial support, directly or in a supervisory role.
- Previous experience advising on or managing protection-related projects, particularly in MHPSS, child protection, and SGBV.
- Strong understanding of humanitarian principles, standards, and practices.
- Experience in conducting needs assessments, including rapid gender analysis or similar approaches.
- Experience supporting the development and implementation of safeguarding policies.
- Strong knowledge of humanitarian issues in the MENA region.
Education and language requirements
- University degree in social work, psychology, counseling, international human rights law, international relations, political science, or a related field.
- Fluent English, both written and spoken.
- Arabic is an advantage.
How to apply
How to apply:
With your CV, the motivation cover letter should be sent to: ari.jobs@actionaid.org (only received CVs on this email will be considered) please clearly indicate which position you are applying for, you will not be considered without putting this title in the subject bar. We respect all candidates, but we can only respond to shortlisted candidates.