Gender and Protection Sector Lead at CARE International

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

Preparations, Orientation and Priorities Setting

• Compile background information on gender, social relations, GBV, and protection issues affecting the population.
• Gather and disseminate guidance and policies on GBV, protection, and SEA specific to NE Nigeria.
• Set priorities, deliverables, and timelines with senior CO leadership.
• Review CARE systems, structures, HR and administrative policies to ensure gender and protection sensitivity; recommend improvements as needed.
• Establish internal and external networks with staff, partners, coordination bodies, government ministries, local leaders, and GBV/Protection actors.
• Ensure assessments, registries and information systems adhere to GBV and protection principles.
• Review and ensure adherence to PSEA policies and conduct orientations for staff and partners.

 Information, Assessments, Analysis and Monitoring

• Lead gender- and protection-sensitive assessments using sex- and age-disaggregated data (SADD).
• Enhance tools and methodologies to ensure protection mainstreaming in all assessments.
• Assess protection needs of diverse groups—especially women, girls, and vulnerable populations—to inform program design and strategies.

Program and Strategy Development Support

• Lead development of strategies and technical approaches for gender, protection, and GBV programming across the CO.
• Support proposal development and engage with sector leads, donors, and partners on protection priorities.
• Integrate GBV and protection prevention, mitigation, and response perspectives across all sectors in line with IASC GBV Guidelines and CARE standards.
• Support sectors in establishing mechanisms to monitor progress in protection mainstreaming.
• Provide guidance on establishing safe, confidential, and functional referral systems and feedback/complaints mechanisms.
• Ensure sensitive exploration of GBV/SEA issues and proper follow-up in line with global best practice.
• Review project plans and budgets to ensure adequate resourcing for gender equality and protection outcomes.

Partnership and Capacity-building

• Conduct orientations and refresher trainings on gender, protection, GBV, and PSEA for staff and partners.
• Deliver specialized technical briefings to teams as required.
• Build capacity of focal points across program, HR, and program support units through ongoing coaching and mentoring.
• Strengthen partnerships with UN Women, UNFPA, UNICEF, peer agencies, and relevant ministries.
• Maintain constructive relationships with donors; develop and share briefs, fact sheets, and updates on Gender/Protection.
• Represent CARE in national and subnational coordination platforms (Protection Sector, GBV Sub-Sector, etc.).
• Conduct capacity gap analyses and recommend actions for improvement.
• Support emergency response capacity strengthening for staff and partners. Provide emergency response related training modules and capacity building (where necessary) directly to staff and partners in Gender and Protection topics.

Coordination, Advocacy and Learning

• Build alliances with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen Gender and Protection programming.
• Provide technical support to advocacy and communication efforts on protection and GBV issues.
• Prepare and disseminate technical reports internally and externally.
• Represent CARE in technical forums, discussions, and working groups
• Identify, document and share good practices and lessons learned.
• Advise CO leadership on opportunities to expand protection expertise.

Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and reporting

• Provide technical guidance on MEAL for Gender/GBV and Protection programs.
• Support development of MEAL tools to ensure high-quality data collection, accountability, and learning.
• Support development of multi-sectoral GBV prevention and response guidelines, referral pathways, and reporting mechanisms.
• Conduct field monitoring visits to ensure program quality and operational excellence.
• Analyze and report on progress and outcomes using MEAL tools.
• Guide teams on technical standards for design, reporting, and evaluations (baseline, midline, endline, mid-term review).
• Ensure learning is consolidated and disseminated.

Resource Mobilization

• Contribute to CARE’s fundraising and resource mobilization efforts, including donor engagement and development of high-quality proposals.

Other Responsibilities:

• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Director of Programs or senior leadership.

Requirements

QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE/TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Required

• Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Human Rights, Gender Studies, or International Humanitarian Law.
• 8-10 years of progressive experience leading Gender and Protection programs in humanitarian contexts.
• Proven expertise in strategic Gender/Protection interventions and mainstreaming across sectors.
• Prior experience with INGOs is a strong asset.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong computer skills (Microsoft Office).
• Demonstrated analytical skills in MEAL, data collection, and program evaluation.
• Minimum two years of experience in Protection/GBV programming in medium- to large-scale emergencies.
• Familiarity with humanitarian coordination systems.
• Experience mainstreaming GBV and protection in sectors such as WASH, Shelter, SRH, Livelihoods, or Food Security & Nutrition.
• Proven experience managing protection/GBV-specific projects.
• Experience in training delivery on GBV/protection-sensitive programming.
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively across cultures.
• Knowledge of Hausa, Kanuri, Shuwa, or other local languages (preferred).

Competencies:

• Approachability                                 
• Building Effective Teams
• Action Oriented
• Integrity and Trust
• Drive for Results
• Business Acumen
• Negotiating
• Organizational Agility