Protection and Gender Officer (2 Positions)

ONLY for Female Applicants.

Summary of Position

Under the supervision of the Senior Program Manager or similar, the Protection and Gender Officer will be responsible for assisting in the implementation of the project activities in the Oromia region. This will include working with other sectors, NGOs, UN agencies and government services, on providing support to some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Activities will include supporting training and capacity building, advocacy, communicating key messages and increasing awareness, working with the community and local services to increase capacity of services related to protection, provide basic psychosocial support, conduct assessments and provide monitoring information.

Purpose

• To implement the GBV standalone project in West and Kelem Wollega with direct support for the local partner implementing the project
• To represent Action Against Hunger Protection sector internally and externally with partners and stakeholders.
• To effectively report the achievements of the project implementation for government and donor reports.

Engagement:

Internal

Senior Program Manager, Field Coordinator: hierarchical relationship + exchange of information Protection deputy head of department and capital Protection team exchange of information + technical support.

External

Local governmental and non-governmental partners: exchange of information, coordination, training, supervision, influence on the choice of technical options Local authorities: exchange of information, participation in regular protection activities Local representatives of international aid organizations: exchange of information.

Major Duties and Deliverables:

• Advocate for the rights of vulnerable people and targeted beneficiaries through contact with local authorities, government officials, community leaders and elders, humanitarian partners and other relevant actors
• Support the delivery of formal and on-the-job training and coaching for health and social workers, and other key stakeholders on protection principles, gender and MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support)
• Participate in rapid needs assessments (including protection, gender analysis and psychosocial support) through field visits in villages, camps and other informal settlements with persons of concern within the community and identify individuals at risk and humanitarian needs
• Provide support to other agencies and local authorities in order to map services, collect data and provide monitoring reports.
• Monitor, assess, observe and report on key protection concerns and rights violations in the field
• Support the delivery of awareness raising and training for associations and community groups, teachers and other key influencers to increase awareness, capacity and support.
• Provide support to other sectors (for instance WASH, NUT, Health and FSL) as needed to deliver the program and mainstreaming activities.
• Ensure that activities are recorded and activity reports are provided to the line manager by the agreed deadline and are of high quality.
• Provide individual and group Psychosocial Support and counselling to child and adult beneficiaries/survivors either directly or thought supporting health/social workers
• Support the process of referring cases of vulnerable people internally, through government primary care services and specialist partners or UN agencies.
• Participate in the assessment, monitoring and auditing of mainstreaming activities

Supervisory Responsibilities

• N/A

Gender Equality Commitments

• Foster an environment that supports values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion. race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect in all cultures.

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA)

• Beware of minimum operating standards of SEA
• Protect and prevent others from SEA.
• Report SEA.
• Strictly adhere and respect Action Against Hunger child protection and SEA policies.

Safeguarding Commitments

• Action Against Hunger has a zero tolerance to child safeguarding violation and SEA. Our selection process includes rigorous reference and background checks. Successful applicants will be expected to sign up and carry out their duties in accordance with our Child Safeguarding and PSEA policies.

Fiscal Responsibility

• N/A

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• The duties of the job require regular job attendance of at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or at the weekends as required.
• Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• BA Degree or Diploma in Psychology, Social work, Health, Sociology, Gender, or related field
• Relevant work-related field experience in humanitarian response, minimum 2 years for BA and 4 years for Diploma
• Excellent understanding of protection principles, human rights and case management
• Excellent communication skills including ability to gain trust and build relationships with new communities
• Good understanding of humanitarian principles
• Experience in regular report writing
• Language – high level of written and spoken English
• Good knowledge of local customs and language (Oromifa language is mandatory)