Protection Assistant at Sahei Gender Development Initiative

Job summary

The Protection Assistant plays a vital role in advancing initiatives designed to uphold the safety, dignity, human rights, and overall well-being of at-risk individuals and communities. This position is essential for executing protection strategies that foster resilience and security within target populations.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate the execution of protection programs and lead community engagement efforts.
• Help identify, assess, and formally document potential protection risks and concerns.
• Contribute to initiatives focused on raising awareness and building local capacity.
• Coordinate necessary referrals and manage follow-up procedures as needed.
• Ensure the maintenance of precise records and documentation regarding all activities.
• Assist in drafting and compiling comprehensive reports on program activities.
• Adhere to SGDI policies, tools, handbooks and guidelines.
• Implement assigned Protection activities in accordance with approved work plans, project targets, SGDI’s SOPs and protection standards.
• Conduct protection monitoring, case management, referrals and Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) assessments within delegated responsibilities.
• Plan, prioritise and deliver field tasks on schedule, work under pressure with minimal supervision, and escalate delays and protection concerns promptly.
• Prepare accurate weekly activity and protection monitoring reports, timely case updates and other reports requested by the Protection Officer.
• Maintain complete, accurate and securely stored protection case management, referral, monitoring and IPA assessment records in accordance with SGDI information-management procedures.
• Apply protection principles, safeguarding, PSEA, anti-fraud and anti-corruption requirements; promote accountability and technical improvement.
• Build respectful, trusted relationships with affected communities, community representatives and relevant duty bearers, ensuring safe, inclusive and accountable engagement.
• Conduct regular household and community-level protection monitoring, including interviews, focus group discussions and observation as appropriate; identify, document and analyse threats, vulnerabilities, capacities and emerging protection trends using approved tools.
• Identify people facing protection risks, assess needs safely and obtain informed consent for appropriate internal or external referrals; maintain referral tracking and follow up on outcomes without disclosing confidential case information.
• Facilitate accessible, age- and gender-sensitive protection information sessions with Community members, using approved messages and safe communication approaches.
• Supervise day-to-day activities of caseworkers agree weekly tasks, verify completion, review community feedback, provide coaching and ensure safe identification, information sharing and referral practices; promptly address gaps or misconduct through established channels.
• Directly undertake protection case management for assigned non-GBV/non-CP cases, including safe identification, informed consent, assessment, risk analysis, case planning, service coordination, follow-up and case closure, in line with approved SOPs and technical oversight.
• Conduct protection-risk and eligibility assessments, document the causal link between assistance and mitigation of a specific protection threat, prepare case files and recommendations for authorised review and approval, and follow up on assistance and protection outcomes. 
• Maintain complete and timely case notes, assessments, case plans, referral records and documentation; safeguard confidential information, restrict access on a need-to-know basis and follow SGDI data protection and safe information-sharing procedures.
• Maintain updated service mapping and functional referral pathways; coordinate with specialised protection, CP, VAWG and other service providers to facilitate safe, timely referrals and flag service gaps or urgent cases to the Protection Officer.
• Develop and implement weekly field work plans aligned with the Protection Officer’s priorities; submit weekly activity and protection monitoring reports, maintain indicator and case-tracking records, report urgent protection incidents immediately and contribute to monthly reporting and corrective action follow-up.
• Coordinate daily with the Protection Officer, case workers, local implementing partners, other NGOs, relevant government services and community structures to support quality implementation, avoid duplication and address operational constraints.
• Work closely with MEAL colleagues on data quality checks, participant feedback and complaints referral, verification and monitoring, while preserving the independence of MEAL functions and confidentiality of sensitive case data.
• Follow SGDI’s security procedures, uphold professional boundaries and zero tolerance for exploitation, bribery, diversion, favouritism and falsification of records; immediately report suspected misconduct through approved channels.

Qualifications

• Relevant experience in community-based protection, protection monitoring, case management, referrals and/or IPA in humanitarian settings; practical experience directly engaging affected communities.
• Experience operating in complex, insecure or volatile contexts, with the ability to manage competing priorities and work under pressure with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct protection assessments, document protection risks, maintain case files and apply safe referral procedures and approved SOPs.
• Sound knowledge of protection principles, confidentiality, informed consent, do no harm, safeguarding, PSEA and accountable, corruption-free programme delivery.
• Good practical computer skills, including MS Word, Excel, email and digital data collection tools; ability to coordinate with MEAL and partners.
• Good written and spoken English for case documentation and reporting; ability to communicate effectively in relevant local languages.
• Experience from working directly with affected/local communities within an international or local organization in a humanitarian context.
• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Knowledge of protection risks, humanitarian actors, service availability and community structures in Bama, Geidam, Monguno, konduga is an advantage.
• Knowledge of relevant local languages and experience coordinating with local NGOs, service providers and community-based structures.
• Ability to gather, record and manage data and information from different sources.
• Mastery of IT tools (MS Office package, internet, e-mail, etc.).
• Some knowledge of English.

SGDI is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

SGDI reserves the right to close the advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

SGDI has a PSEA Policy that the successful candidate will be expected to comply with and promote.