Protection Officer at Care Best Initiative (CBI)

Background

• CBI employs a multi-sectorial stakeholder-engagement and community-inclusion approach to the implementation of all her programs and activities, and is well experienced in advocacy, influencing, awareness creation and behavioral change programming.
• Our thematic areas of operations cut across sectors like Health (FP, SRH, HIV/AIDS & RI), Education, Nutrition (CMAM, MIYCN), Protection (GBV, Child Protection, GE&I), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Food Security & Livelihood (FSL) among others with the objectives to improve access to basic and reproductive health services, and support distressed families.
• We also facilitate developmental programs, such as stakeholders’ advocacy campaigns against systemic and deep-rooted gender inequalities and barriers that will improve the socio-economic status of the most vulnerable (including orphans, PLWHA, PWDs, out-of-school children, Almajiri students and Islamiyya students), promote infrastructural and environmental development, and promote equitable gender and social activities in communities.
• As our activities are also aimed at strengthening the resilience of the most vulnerable and build their capacity and self-reliance through education, sensitization and awareness creation, CBI works in partnership with the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Health as well as other relevant line-ministries for implementation.
• CBI also collaborates with other local and international partners and is an active member of several Clusters, Working groups and CSO Networks in all her states of operation and at the national level is a member of the Coalition of NGOs in Nigeria.

Job Purpose

• The Protection Officer will be responsible for protection mainstreaming in the project implementation of “Provision of Curative and Integrated Nutrition Services in selected locations of Borno and Yobe States, Northeast Nigeria” “Provision of Curative and Integrated Nutrition Services in selected locations of Borno and Yobe States, Northeast Nigeria” project in two LGAs of Borno State.
• Under guidance of the CBI Protection Focal Person, the role supports implementation of the CBI Nigeria's protection programme with the objective of providing timely and effective protection to targeted populations.
• Supervises protection interventions including the provision of appropriate and timely supervision of case management services, identifying training needs of protection assistants, and ensuring that protection issues are effectively embedded in all project activities.
• The role supports during protection and ensures protection services and activities are delivered in line with CBI and international quality standards.
• The Protection Officer will be a member of PCO Project Team and report to Programme Coordinator (PC). The staff is also expected to be responsible for the entire process of management of protection mainstreaming activities at the field.
• Furthermore, He/she will assist the PC regarding regular updates and progress of the project on project and strategic interventions with regard to protection mainstreaming.
• Through strategic implementation of this project, he/she will directly work to contribute to the execution of CBI overall mission and strategic plan goals for 2023 and 2024.

Tasks and Main Responsibilities

• Supports in developing tools to ensure up to date and technically sound mechanisms are in place for gender and protection mainstreaming.
• Provides guidance to outreach volunteers and social workers in the planning and implementation of participatory community activities, awareness sessions and campaigns and in the general communication with communities;
• Supports the planning, implementation and reporting on all protection activities via monthly work plans, schedules and team management;
• Assists in decision-making vis-à-vis material assistance to beneficiaries, documenting for both technical and financial reporting;
• Provides individual supervision sessions on a weekly basis to each field volunteer, supporting and coaching them in their duties using various methods. Support the field volunteers’ ability to find solutions and respond appropriately to daily challenges;
• Identifies gaps and training needs for the project team and request support from the Protection Focal Person to provide the same. Provide learning opportunities via the delivery of trainings, workshops and role modelling;
• Compiles information from protection focal points and provide weekly reports to the Program Coordinator and the relevant thematic manager with observations and recommendations to enhance the protection environment.
• Provides verbal and written feedback on a daily basis to direct supervisor; assist in writing regular narrative and quantitative reports when requested.
• Conducts field visits to distribution sites, areas of operation, centers, and other areas where Human Appeal conducts activities.

Job Holder Entry Requirements
Knowledge (Education & Related Experience):
Professional Requirements:

• University Degree in a related field (e.g. Social Work, Psychology, Law)
• Minimum of 2 years relevant work experience in psychology, social work, case management, counselling, etc.;
• Minimum of 1 year work experience with an INGO, NGOs and/or local authorities in years Nigeria in the protection sector;
• Minimum of 1 year of supervisory experience with an INGO, NGOs and/or local authorities in Nigeria

Personal Requirements:

• Advanced computer literacy (Microsoft Office Suite, e-mail, internet, etc.)
• Excellent interpersonal, communication skills, writing and reporting skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability and motivation to work well with local authorities, local leaders and local community.
• Willing to work extra hours and available at the weekend for emergency cases.
• Capacity to work under pressure and willingness to work and live in a complex context.
• Excellent leadership, planning, organization, people management and time management skills;

Skills (Special Training or Competence):

• Ability to observe and understand cultural and social contexts and reflect the understandings in programming
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills
• Strong community engagement and facilitation skill
• Ability to infuse positive energy to the team
• Attention to detail, keen at following procedures and meeting deadlines
• Ability to organize tasks simultaneously and prioritize work
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills working with cross cultural and multi diverse teams
• Ability to build strong working relationships for partnerships
• Standards of Professional Conduct especially on integrity, service, and accountability

Key Behaviors:

• Interpersonal and intercultural sensitivity.
• Social and receptive (active listener).
• High degree of integrity.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of the team, as the situation dictates.
• Pro-active and ready to take initiative.
• Ability to assimilate and handle a wide range of information efficiently and effectively.
• High level of stress tolerance and ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.
• Willingness to undertake extensive field trip within PCO working area.

Key Relationships (excluding own line manager and staff):
Internal:

• Program Coordinator
• Finance and Support Services team
• Various staff based in all CBI core departments, as and when necessary (e.g. funding, PDA, MEAL, finance, PPA)

External:

• Partners
• Consultants
• Service Providers/Stakeholders (Other NGOs)
• Government agencies
• Community leaders/CBOs.