Protection Officer, NOA at World Food Programme (WFP)

Ref Id: 83721
Location: Damaturu, Yobe

Organizational Context

• The Protection Officer will be based in the Sub Office in Damaturu but the position will require travel to WFP field sites in the outskirts of Damaturu within Yobe State
• The selected candidate will report to the Protection Officer and will be responsible for assisting the Programme Unit to mainstream protection and AAP as well as assist in providing technical guidance to Program Units to undertake conflict sensitive programming.

Job Purpose

• To provide support to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs.

Key Accountabilities (not all-inclusive)
Specific Tasks related to Protection Mainstreaming:

• Work with the Program Units in coordination with Protection Officer to integrate protection concerns into the project management cycle
• Undertake research to assist in contributing to WFPs Nigeria context analysis
• Provide regular information on protection concerns and trends in Nigeria in WFP’s internal meetings
• Contribute in developing tools and guidelines for specific Program Units to mainstream protection based on WFPs policy
• Coordinate with the Protection Officer on mainstreaming protection into all WFP Programs

Training and Related Activities:

• Assist in organizing and conducting protection mainstreaming / conflict sensitive program - trainings for WFP and Cooperating Partner staff
• Undertake field travels to WFP Field locations to conduct protection monitoring and integrate protection concerns into interventions through trainings, workshops and briefings at field level

Representation:

• Assist in strengthening inter-agency understanding of WFPs protection policy and its operational impact
• Liaise with government authorities, Protection Cluster representatives, UN agencies and INGO staff on protection issue

Mainstreaming Protection into Country Office Programs and Interventions:

• Assist Protection Officer in providing technical guidance in how to include protection into programming to safely deliver food beneficiaries, cash and vouchers to beneficiaries before, at and after the distribution
• Undertake and contribute to research if necessary
• Assist in drafting advocacy notes and reports on protection in WFP

4Ps Core Organisational Capabilities
Purpose:

• Understand and communicate the Strategic Objectives: Understands WFP’s Strategic Objectives and the link to own work objectives.
• Be a force for positive change: Flexibly adapts individual contributions to accommodate changes in direction from supervisors and internal/external changes (such as evolving needs of beneficiaries, new requirements of partners).
•  Make the mission inspiring to our team: Recognizes and shares with team members the ways in which individual contributions relate to WFP’s mission.
•  Make our mission visible in everyday actions: Sets own goals in alignment with WFP’s overall operations, and is able to communicate this link to others.

People:

• Look for ways to strengthen people's skills: Assesses own strengths and weaknesses to increase self-awareness, and includes these in conversations on own developmental needs.
• Create an inclusive culture: Participates in open dialogue, and values the diverse opinion of others, regardless of background, culture, experience, or country assignment.
• Be a coach & provide constructive feedback: Proactively seeks feedback and coaching to build confidence, and develop and improve individual skills.
• Create an “I will”/”We will” spirit: Participates in accomplishing team activities and goals in the face of challenging circumstances.

Performance:

• Encourage innovation & creative solutions: Shows willingness to explore and experiment with new ideas and approaches in own work.
• Focus on getting results: Consistently delivers results within individual scope of work on time, on budget and without errors.
• Make commitments and make good on commitments: Commits to upholding individual accountabilities and responsibilities in the face of ever-changing country or functional priorities.
• Be Decisive: Makes rational decisions about individual activities when faced with uncertain circumstances, including in times of ambiguity regarding information or manager direction.

Partnership:

• Connect and share across WFP units: Seeks to understand and adapt to internal or cross-unit teams’ priorities and preferred working styles.
• Build strong external partnerships: Demonstrates ability to understand and appropriately respond to and/or escalate needs of external partners.
• Be politically agile & adaptable: Portrays an informed and professional demeanor toward internal and external partners and stakeholders.
• Be clear about the value WFP brings to partnerships: Provides operational support on analyses and assessments that quantifies and demonstrates WFP’s unique value as a partner.

Standard Minimum Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Science, International Affairs, International Law or other fields relevant to international development/ humanitarian assistance. A Master's Degree in the above fields is a requirement.

Language: 

• Fluency (level C) in English language. Excellent English communication and writing skills.
• Knowledge of local languages of Hausa and/or  Kanuri is an advantage.

Experience:

• At least 3-5 years of professional experience relevant to the position in addressing protection issues in humanitarian responses
• Experiences working in the field, in both development and emergency response, understanding the operational aspects of local, state and national level of food-security programs in complex conflict environments
• Experience in delivering trainings and debriefings
• Knowledge of protection mainstreaming
• Experience in implementing protection programs in emergency contexts
• Experience in drafting reports and advocacy notes.

Technical Expertise for Entry into the Role
Technical Expertise:

• In-depth knowledge of protection and protection mainstreaming tools
• In-depth knowledge about international standards and policies, especially those centered around food-insecurity
• Knowledge of WFPs mandate
• Knowledge of WFPs protection and AAP policy desirable
• Understanding of procedures and policies of the U.N. system is a plus
• Previous work experience with a U.N. agency is a plus
• Knowledge of International Humanitarian Law, International Human Rights Law and Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women is a plus

Competencies:

• Initiative and maturity of judgment
• Good analytical and negotiating skills
• Ability to multi task while working under pressure
• Ability to maintain and establish professional working relationships with a variety of actors
• Ability to gain cooperation of others in a team through technical inputs in a broad range of operational issues