Protection Officer- Roster at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

Job Summary

JRS is currently looking for skilled and experienced protection officers to be included in a talent pool of candidates for the various locations within which JRS serves. Under the direct supervision of the Project Director. The Protection Officer of the project will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality and protection services to target beneficiaries, provide oversight, lead, and coordinate protection activities (awareness creation, case management and referrals). S/He will provide counselling, mentorship, and guidance on the activities, in compliance with project guidelines and JRS strategy. The Protection Officer will respect the principle of confidentiality of the information received during the activities. The position holder will be responsible for initiating, directing, and coordinating all protection activities in these locations.

Key Responsibilities of the position

Role/Mission

• Lead all implementation of protection activities including training to target beneficiaries along with providing basic emotional regulation exercises to release trauma stress patterns.
• Establish and maintain a recordkeeping system to keep confidential information (including questionnaires, histories, critical incidents, beneficiaries ‘communication) about beneficiaries.
• Attend Psychosocial Review Meetings and provide support to beneficiaries involved.
• Develop appropriate referral pathways between case managers, partners, other organizations including specialized mental health and utilize these agreed referral pathways for critical incidents to ensure effective and efficient case management process.
• Write monthly summary reports highlighting achievements against indicators, trainings conducted, lessons learnt, challenges, and recommendations including success highlights, feedback from participants, and recommendations for the next stages of JRS’s program (sent to line supervisor).
• Attend protection local coordination meetings for information sharing, collaboration with other INGOs/ NGOs, sector working groups, government partners and other relevant stakeholders to develop, implement and monitor referral pathways.
• Support psychosocial needs assessment among the affected populations using internationally validated tools. Work with local health authorities, Program Coordinators, medical staff, and Team Leader to design and implement a MEAL system for reporting the protection outcomes.
• Make frequent site visits to facilities to ensure that appropriate care and training are being conducted.
• The Officer will also support and debrief staff on protection recommendations from noted issues that arise during his/her work, identify and address professional development needs.
• Ensure ethical and confidential data collection during, case management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Monitor the progress of the program and identify any delays that have been or may be expected.
• Ensure linkage, coordination and sharing of information on activities with national NGOs, international organizations, donors and the government.
• Participate in Protection Cluster (including GBV and CP AoRs) meetings and other humanitarian coordination meetings as will be assigned by the Project Director from time to time.
• Ensure completion of 5 Ws of the Protection Cluster
• Promote PSEA and safeguarding standards within JRS and amongst the beneficiaries it serves.

Qualification

• University Degree or equivalent in any Social Science related field. A master’s degree will be an added advantage.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in NGOs.
• Significant previous experience in similar programming working with IDPs and Refugees.
• Good analytical and writing skills.
• Extensive knowledge of MS office.
• Ability to work in stressful locations, under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of humanitarian actors.
• Excellent communication skills to manage relationships.
• Flexible and adaptable to the needs of the team and organization.
• Familiarity with IASC MHPSS guidelines and other international protocols
• Experience in PFA, mh-GAP, STAR models and other evidence based mental health intervention.
• Experience in implementing projects.
• Good knowledge and understanding of DO NO HARM principles and established international child protection standards.
• Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to details.
• Experience working in emergency settings (deep field), particularly in Northeast Nigeria and good knowledge of key stakeholders in the area are desirable.
• Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Qualities

• Adhere to JRS values and abide by the code of conduct and other policies.
• Good command of the English language (written and oral).
• Knowledge of Hausa and any other local language is highly desirable.
• Proven work experience in multicultural and stressful environments.
• Ability to adapt to working conditions and tasks that may change with the reality of the field.
• Ability to communicate with impact and respect.
• Honesty and integrity