Protection Officer (national position) At INTERSOS

JOB TITLE: Protection Officer

LOCATION: Gusau & Anka inclusive, Zamfara State, Nigeria (with frequent visits between sites)

REPORTING TO: Senior Protection Officer

JOB PURPOSE

Protection function

Ensure rapid protection assessment and monitoring, protection mainstreaming, capacity building of staff and varying stakeholders including, among others, local authorities, community volunteers, community & IDP leadership and partners. General protection monitoring thus ensuring equal access to assistance to the most vulnerable families. He/she will ensure coordination of all protection monitoring related activities under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer, who will remotely supervise him from INTERSOS Maiduguri Office.

HoFO – as supporting function

Manages HR, logistics, admin functions and project support functions, keeping direct contact with Maiduguri office. The incumbent will work closely with all the Support Departments (Administration [Finance], Logistics, Security, and Human Resources), and the sector leads to ensure organization policies, processes, and procedures are followed. He/she will be the focal point for the field office & security to the rest of the organization. He/she will also create and maintain close relationships with local government, IDPs & host community representatives, local and international NGOs and international organizations, and other stakeholders.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Protection

• Conduct rapid protection assessment and monitoring to identify protection risks, trend and produce regular protection reports/information on the situation the intervention areas;
• Ensure protection mainstreaming in all the sites to ensure that implementation and services adhere to protection standards;
• Regularly visit sites to carry out protection monitoring of IDPs, returnees to assess their living conditions to inform program planning, design, referrals, and informed advocacy;
• Ensure constant communication with the community and community-based structures in their own language while respecting culture/traditions to identify potential protection problems, formulate recommendations, solutions, and report;
• Conduct capacity building training/workshop on protection topics among varying stakeholders (SEMA, LEMA, community & IDP leaders, volunteers, and partners) to increase protection knowledge and outcomes;
• With support from the Senior Protection Officer guided by the Protection Coordinator, develop and operate appropriate protection tools to assess and document vulnerable cases among the beneficiaries;
• Collect protection data through Key Informant Interviews, Focus Groups Discussions, Direct Observation and Safety Audits;
• Review data and information collected during protection monitoring and compile regular protection reports highlighting gaps, concerns, and trends to inform future programming, advocacy, and referrals;
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationship with stakeholders, particularly protection actors, to ensure synergy between INTERSOS and the protection actors’ activities enhancing the protective environment;
• Attend the Protection Working Group and other regular meetings to discuss protection concerns of the affected population, identify gaps, and discuss way forward to address those concerns/issues and gaps;
• Ensure data protection for both hard and soft copies and maintain records to ensure appropriate means of verification for each of the activity conducted as per work plan;
• Conduct awareness raising/sensitization on protection topics (such as human rights, GBV prevention and response, child protection, PSEA, etc.) among affected population in the intervention locations;
• Carry out all tasks respecting key protection principles, including Child Protection, Child Safeguarding and PSEA policy;
• Provide protection input for the preparation of internal and external reports highlighting key protection concerns and suggested recommendations for Northwest (Zamfara)
• Manage, including coaching, mentoring and guidance) Protection Monitors to ensure proper implementation of protection activities in the intervention locations;
• Performs any additional task as assigned by the supervisor.
• Administration/Logistics/Finance
• Supervises the payment of volunteers and other support staff
• Monitors the fields staff pending aging and liaises with them to close the pending in accordance to the specified maximum aging in INTERSOS Control Model
• Collects and checks field financial documents (invoices, receipts, attendance sheets, etc) and forward to Maiduguri finance office to ensure timely processing and payment of vendors
• Ensure regular performance appraisal and career management of staff under supervision
• Ensure a positive working environment and good team dynamics
• Contribute to the development of project procurement plans and gather needs of the base and channel them to Logistics in Maiduguri office
• Coordination with logistics department, ensuring INTERSOS and Donor requirements are met, and proper documentation is collected and maintained for all procurements
• In close collaboration with Finance Department and PMs, manage office cash in the field office, including distribution of cash payments;
• Organize fleet management, ensuring there are enough vehicles available for all project activities;
• Ensure that drivers operate and maintain their vehicles according to the contract, including maintaining vehicle logbooks
• HR Support
• Be the focal point to explain and enforce HR policies and tasks – such as : timely collection of timesheets and staff leave forms and forwarding them to the HR Department;
• Liaising with project managers for the payment of volunteers and daily workers;
• Conduct regular meetings with staff and liaise with the HR Department to solve HR-related issues, if any;
• Facilitate the recruitment process of staff in the specific work location, if necessary;
• Liaise with HR Department to arrange the arrival of a new staff;
• Liaise with HR Department, Head of Base, and Security Department in case of medical evacuation
• MEAL
• Provides support to MEAL team as they conduct assessments of community needs, by providing input into the assessment, arranging the logistics of the visit, and support analysis of the assessment results
• Provides input in development of concept notes, proposals, intervention strategies and budgets taking in consideration community needs, cultural and environmental appropriateness, and feasibility.
• Consolidate from both centers and submit weekly, monthly, and quarterly narrative reports on field interventions.
• And any other task as assigned.
• Office Management
• Daily maintain office premises to a high standard (maintenance, cleaning, etc.). Work closely with Logistics, Security, and Head of Base to address all identified needs;
• Supervise cleaners to ensure they complete their jobs thoroughly and professionally;
• Security
• Serve as Security Focal point, working closely with Security Coordinator and Head of Base;
• Regularly update context and analysis or area’s security;
• Secures INTERSOS premises and personnel and ensure monitoring surveillance equipment; inspecting office compound, equipment, and access points and entry gates;
• Ensure all staff know, practice, and follow all security standard operating procedures;
• Ensure Security guards are aware of their responsibilities and present 24/7 on duty; ensure the guards have equipment necessary to perform their responsibilities;
• Ensure INTERSOS offices and GHs are well equipped with fire extinguishers, first aid kits and emergency contact list.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 3-years of work experience with an INGO, NGOs and/or local authorities in Nigeria in the protection sector;
• Minimum 2-year of supervisory experience with an INGO, NGOs and/or local authorities in Nigeria;
• University degree in a related field (e.g. Social Work, Psychology, Law, etc…);
• Strong technical knowledge of general protection (protection monitoring, community mapping and assessment, protection mainstreaming, design and delivery of trainings, etc…)
• Advanced computer literacy (Microsoft Office Suite, e-mail, internet, etc…);
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Excellent writing and reporting skills;
• Excellent leadership, planning, organisation, people management and time management skills;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Ability and motivation to work well with local authorities, local leaders and local community;
• Willing to work extra hours and available at the weekend for emergency cases;
• Capacity to work under pressure and willingness to work and live in a complex context;
• Fluency in English, Kanuri and Hausa