Anti-Trafficking Project Officer at Heartland Alliance

Background: Heartland Alliance International’s “Strengthening Services for Victims of Human Trafficking in Northeast Nigeria” was initially two-year project funded by the Office to Monitor and Combat Human Trafficking (J/TIP) that was launched in January 2018 and implemented by Heartland Alliance International (HAI). This project was recently extended for additional two years 2020 through 2022. Project’s activities take place in Northeast Nigeria (Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states) and aim to improve comprehensive services for victims of trafficking, including former child soldiers and women and girls trafficked for forced marriage and sexual exploitation.

Project Focus: Northeast Nigeria: Combatting trafficking in persons (TiP) in Humanitarian/Conflict Settings and TiP perpetrated by non-state armed opposition groups. The project approach is through:

• Protection/Technical Assistance: Capacity building of government actors and social service providers, including trainings on efficient procedures for victims screening and identification using victims’ centered approach, police officers, civilian defense corps officers, immigration officers, National Human Rights Commission officers, NAPTIP officers; case management trainings for social workers, protection officers and case managers, working with victims of human trafficking, including children.
• Prevention/Awareness Raising and Sensitization: in IDP camps and host communities, with communal leaders (district heads), religious leaders, and civil society networks, work with the Northeast Nigeria Protection Sector, and its GBV and CP sub-sectors to mainstream  TiP among the cluster system in Northeast Nigeria.
• Partnerships/Improving Coordination and Referrals: Working with IOM, NAPTIP, MoWASD, SEMA, UNHCR and other partners to support coordination of services and referral mechanisms. Operationalizing of Yobe State Referral Pathway for victims and survivors of trafficking.

Additional information on Heartland Alliance International can be found at: http://www.heartlandalliance.org/heartland-alliance-international/

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The Yobe Anti-Trafficking Project Officer will collaborate with the Project Director and Project Coordinator to coordinate program design, planning, and implementation of project activities in Yobe State.

RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to the Anti-Trafficking Project Director, communicating regularly and submitting activities and training reports, plans, assessments, and situation analyses as requested

• Collaborates closely with Project Coordinator and staff in HAI-Abuja Office
• Communicates and facilitate collaboration with country federal and state governmental institutions, ministries, UN agencies, local and international NGOs and civil society

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program implementation and coordination of activities

• Conduct a partnership mapping and Identify and contact new project partners and stakeholders for project expansion in Yobe State and manage effective communication with them with support from the Project Director
• Monitor project goals and key stakeholder activities to ensure project success in Yobe State
• Ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of project activities, applying quality assurance tools and writing project reports following designated formats
• Assists Project Director and Project Coordinator to write program reports as needed
• Organize trainings, roundtables, events, and other activities to achieve project objectives
• Participate in developing and adjusting specific trainings to meet the identified needs within the relevant sectors
• Participate in coordination meetings and represent HAI in the Protection Sector Coordination system in Yobe State
• Prepare meeting agendas, take and distribute minutes of meetings
• Represent HAI at program-related events, meetings and workshop and raise awareness about organization’s project in Northeast Nigeria and especially Yobe State
• Write weekly and monthly project progress reports and contribute to the quarterly report with relevant information from the state including success stories and progress made.

External representation and program development

• Coordinate with local stakeholders, including service providers and government agents, and engage on protection cluster meetings, raising HAI’s presence and profile in Northeast Nigeria
• Interacting with the humanitarian community (NGOs, UN), state government officials and donors on all topics related to providing services for victims of trafficking
• Supports program development initiatives by providing information in a timely manner when requested
• Contribute to the preparation of new proposals or reports to donors

Financial and admin support

• Assess project risks and issues and collaborate with Project Director to find solutions
• Assist in budget preparation and expense management activities for programs
• Monitor project plans, schedules, work, budget, and expenditure ensuring project deadlines are met in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with project director and project coordinator to develop yearly work plan and budget towards ensuring effective delivery of program fulfilling each goal and objective.
• Perform administrative duties based on needs, such as making travel arrangements, booking hotels, training venues and communicating with vendors

Based in Damaturu, Yobe State and with occasional travel to Maiduguri, Yola and Abuja

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, plus a minimum of 2 years professional experience in an NGO setting
• Previous experience working in issues related to human trafficking in Northeast Nigeria, including in interaction with stakeholders involved in emergency response in the region.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with partners, government officials, local NGOs, media, and staff.
• Demonstrated success in delivery of services.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as a part of a team
• Effective leadership, interpersonal and communication skills
• Flexibility to travel within Northeast Nigeria

Preferred

• Previous experience with anti-human trafficking and MHPSS programming and implementation
• Previous experience planning and delivering training activities to diverse audiences
• Experience of work in inter-cultural context
• Experience and knowledge working in Northeast Nigeria.
• Understanding of the cultural nuances in the state would be an added advantage

Languages

• Essential – Proficient in English
• Preferred – Proficient in Hausa, Kanuri and other local languages

Computer Skills: Ability to effectively work using Microsoft Office (e.g. Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel), and other software applicable to the area of work.

Resilience: This project responds to a devastating human rights crisis and will address sensitive issues in a region strongly affected by conflict. Interested applicants should have a strong commitment to addressing the rights of victims of trafficking (VoT) with cultural sensitivity, respect, and confidentiality.  Candidates should be flexible, patient, positive, and able to work effectively independently and as a member of a team.