Protection and Gender Assistant at Global Village Healthcare Initiative for Africa (GHIV Africa)

Contract Duration: 10 Months.
Reports to: Protection Officer/Gender Specialist

Job Purpose: 

The Gender and Protection Assistant will support the implementation of gender, protection, and safeguarding activities within project communities. The role will focus on integrating gender and protection components into projects and ensuring effective mainstreaming of gender and protection principles across all project activities. The position involves assisting in case management, community awareness, referrals, protection monitoring, data collection, and ensuring that vulnerable individuals have safe access to services. The assistant will also support Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), gender mainstreaming, and child protection activities in line with organizational policies and humanitarian standards.

Key Responsibilities

Protection and Gender Programming

• Support integration of gender and protection components across all project sectors and activities.
• Ensure gender and protection mainstreaming in project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
• Provide technical support to project teams on gender-sensitive and protection-focused approaches.
• Support the implementation of gender and protection activities in target communities.
• Conduct awareness sessions on gender-based violence (GBV), child protection, PSEA, rights, and available support services.
• Identify vulnerable individuals and facilitate referrals to appropriate service providers.
• Assist in conducting protection monitoring and documenting protection concerns.
• Support safe and confidential handling of sensitive information.
• Promote inclusion, gender equality, and protection mainstreaming across project activities.

Community Engagement

• Mobilize community members for sensitization sessions and protection activities.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with community leaders, women groups, youth groups, and stakeholders.
• Receive and respond appropriately to complaints and feedback from beneficiaries.
• Support awareness campaigns and advocacy activities related to protection concerns.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of activities, referrals, and case documentation where applicable.
• Support preparation of weekly and monthly activity reports.
• Assist in data collection, entry, and analysis for protection activities.
• Ensure confidentiality and secure storage of protection-related information.

Coordination and Compliance

• Work closely with other program teams to ensure integration of protection principles.
• Adhere to organizational safeguarding, PSEA, and protection policies at all times.
• Participate in trainings, meetings, and capacity-building sessions.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Data Collection and Reporting

• Collect and compile activity data, beneficiary information, and reports
• Support preparation of weekly and monthly activity reports
• Ensure data protection and confidentiality at all times

Safeguarding and Ethics

• Uphold confidentiality, dignity, and respect in all interactions
• Adhere strictly to PSEA, child protection, and safeguarding policies
• Report any safeguarding concerns through appropriate channels

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Gender Studies, International Relations, or related field.
• Minimum of 1–2 years experience in gender, protection, GBV, child protection, or humanitarian programming.
• Good understanding of protection principles, PSEA, safeguarding, and gender issues.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive cases professionally.
• Experience working with NGOs or humanitarian organizations is an added advantage.
• Good report writing and documentation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of local languages spoken in the target area is an added advantage.

Core Competencies

• Teamwork and collaboration
• Empathy and professionalism
• Problem-solving skills
• Accountability and integrity
• Cultural sensitivity
• Ability to work under pressure and in challenging environments.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Basic knowledge of PSEA principles
• Strong communication and facilitation skills
• Ability to handle sensitive issues with confidentiality and empathy
• Good report writing and documentation skills
• Ability to work with diverse communities and vulnerable populations
• Fluency in English and local languages (e.g., Hausa/Kanuri)

Key Working Relationships

• Internal: MHPSS Team, Protection Team and MEAL Team
• External: Community leaders, health workers, NGOs, government partners

Essential Skills

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, internal controls, and financial policies. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook). 
• Experience with electronic financial management systems and data collection tools. 
• Strong organizational, analytical, and reporting skills. 
• Ability to work independently and in multi-disciplinary teams. 
• Fluency in English; knowledge of relevant local languages is an advantage. 

 Desirable

• Previous experience working in the BAY states (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe). 
• Familiarity with NGO or donor financial reporting requirements (ECHO, NHF, WFP, etc.)
• Training in Psychological First Aid (PFA)
• Experience in peer support group facilitation
• Familiarity with referral pathways and protection services
• Females are encouraged to apply.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

• EMPATHY AND COMPASSION: Demonstrates a genuine concern for the well-being of vulnerable individuals.
• INTEGRITY: Maintains the highest ethical standards in all professional activities.
• RESILIENCE: Capable of working under challenging conditions and managing stress effectively.
• PROBLEM-SOLVING: Proactive in identifying issues and implementing solutions.