Protection Officer at INTERSOS

JOB PURPOSE

• S/he is responsible for the technical supervision and coordination of all protection-related activities in the assigned area.
• S/he provides appropriate and timely supervision of case management services; supporting, coaching, and overseeing the work of team leads, ensuring that the training needs and capacity building for case workers and case worker team leads are addressed in a timely fashion and that protection services and activities are delivered in line with INTERSOS and international quality standards.
• Drafts and oversees the monthly work plan for the teams under her/his purview, including case management, supervision, team meetings, general protection activities and reporting.

RESPONSIBILITIES

CASE MANAGEMENT & SUPERVISION

• Oversee the distribution of cases among the caseworkers by the Case Worker Team Leader, ensuring that team and individual caseloads are reflective of INTERSOS guidelines and SOPs.
• Ensure case management activities are conducted in line with INTERSOS guidelines and SOPs.
• Regularly verify the status of the case management database, conduct case reviews, and provide feedback to the CASE Worker Team Leader and Case Workers.
• Conduct case audits to ensure that cases meet and maintain compliance with established SOPs and minimum standards in case management.
• Provide guidance to outreach volunteers and social workers in the planning and implementation of participatory community activities, awareness sessions and campaigns and in general communication with communities.

REPORTING, ADMINISTRATIVE & TECHNICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the planning, implementation, and reporting of all protection activities via monthly work plans, schedules, and team management.
• Support positive team dynamics and a healthy work environment where case workers feel comfortable and supported in sharing experiences, challenges, and feelings.
• Ensure an equal division of the overall workload, timely follow-up on targets and flag issues to the Senior Protection Officer. Regularly review team caseloads to ensure compliance with INTERSOS policies and provide quality service to beneficiaries.
• Assist in decision-making vis-à-vis material assistance to beneficiaries, documenting same for both technical and financial reporting.
• Supervise the accuracy of case documentation, ensuring that any progress is duly recorded in a timely fashion via regular case file review and using the case management platform. Provide feedback on the same to case worker team leads.
• Monitor team timeframes for response, decision-making and follow-up via the internal case management platform.
• Participate in individual supervision sessions on a weekly basis with the Senior Protection Officer, bringing immediate attention to any case of special/emergency needs, discussing ongoing issues and strategizing on project and programme development.
• Provide individual supervision sessions on a weekly basis to each caseworker team leader, supporting and coaching them in their duties using various methods. Support the case worker team leaders’ ability to find solutions and respond appropriately to daily challenges.
• Identify gaps and training needs for the caseworkers and request support from the Senior Protection Officer to provide the same. Provide learning opportunities via the delivery of training, workshops, and role modelling.
• Coordinate and supervise psychosocial support activities that are conducted in the CC/WGFS and/or communities.
• Compile all reporting on case management general protection activities and PSS activities as per INTERSOS and donor reporting regulations and transmit these on a weekly basis to the Senior Protection Officer for further handling. Engage in regular feedback and dialogue with the Senior Protection Officer on quantitative and qualitative reporting.

DATA PROTECTION, CONFIDENTIALITY & ADHERENCE TO PROTECTION PRINCIPLES

• Oversee the proper and safe filing and archiving of case management files to maintain data confidentiality as per INTERSOS and international standards. Ensure that all teams are trained in data protection and confidentiality.
• Ensure adherence of team members to protection principles, codes of conduct and internal SOPs. Conduct regular case audits to ensure that work is following established SOPs and minimum standards.
• Conduct all tasks respecting key protection principles, including but not limited to.
  • do no harm.
  • non-discrimination.
  • confidentiality,
  • accountability, and.
  • need-to-know principles.

OTHER GENERAL PROTECTION ACTIVITIES

• Contribute to the design and execution of regular service mapping, and updates to the service directory and support the development of referral systems with different service providers and the local NGO/CSO partner. Identify and report gaps in the availability, access, and quality of protection services in the assigned area.
• Flag protection and security issues and contribute to the identification of appropriate responses via regular data review and the submission of protection reports.
• Identify and assist in the analysis of protection trends in the assigned area.
• Provide guidance and support for the planning and implementation of awareness-raising activities, focus group discussions, PSS activities in the WGFS and training workshops as instructed by the supervisory/managerial team.
• Collaborate and coordinate with INTERSOS teams from other departments (WASH, Health & Nutrition, Livelihoods, etc.…) to ensure holistic solutions to beneficiaries’ needs.
• Performs any other activities specified by the supervisory/managerial team.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum 3 years of work experience with an INGO, NGOs, or local authorities in Nigeria in the protection sector.
• Minimum 2 years of supervisory experience with an INGO, NGOs, 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, case management, PSS activities, design, and delivery of training, etc.…)
• Advanced computer literacy (Microsoft Office Suite, e-mail, internet, etc.…).
• Excellent interpersonal and communications 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 the 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.
• Experience in UNDP is also an added advantage for this position.