Protection Officer _ Aftit Metema

Medical Teams International holds strict child and vulnerable adult safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for misconduct related to sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment & selection, hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing candidates’ eligibility thorough background checks, police clearance, and professional reference check processes.

JOB SUMMARY

Protection Officer contributes to the calling of Medical Teams International by implement response activities which include case management, psychosocial support, safe space activity and other related project. The response officer will train and supervise social workers and community activists in Refugee camps to prevent and respond to GBV issues. This includes providing ongoing training and mentorship for community workers, and community activists, developing a weekly, monthly, and quarterly work plan, and utilizing monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure high-quality services. The response officer will encourage smooth communication, collaboration, and coordination among partners from the protection, health, legal, and psychosocial sectors committed to reducing the incidence of violence against women. Conduct workshops, training and disseminating information to all relevant stakeholders and conducting response-related training for service providers to promote quality services. Establish and strengthen the referral system in coordination with other implementing partners.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare and develop weekly and monthly work plans for GBV-related prevention activities, ensuring alignment with the overall program objectives and objectives.
• Implement GBV prevention and response activities, including fieldwork and community-based programs, ensuring that activities are in line with GBV IASC guidelines and best practices.
• Process and maintain accurate case documentation, including case histories, assessments, interventions, and progress reports, ensuring all information complies with confidentiality standards.
• Apply protection principles such as confidentiality, safety, and non-discrimination in all program activities, ensuring that GBV survivors are treated with respect and dignity.
• Prepare outreach materials and awareness campaigns tailored to local communities, ensuring that the information is relevant and culturally appropriate.
• Implement community-based interventions in partnership with relevant stakeholders such as women and children’s affairs, teachers, medical providers, and law enforcement.
• Process referrals to appropriate service providers for GBV survivors, ensuring that their needs are met and all required documentation is provided.
• Apply the necessary legal frameworks to all protection activities, ensuring that the rights of survivors are upheld in accordance with national laws and international standards.
• Prepare regular reports, including weekly updates, case progress reports, and activity summaries for submission to the Protection Manager and field coordinator.
• Implement and support the delivery of capacity-building initiatives for community workers and partners, ensuring effective coordination in response to GBV incidents.
• Process requests for protection supplies and services, ensuring adherence to the logistical and financial policies of the organization.
• Apply best practices in the integration of GBV response activities into health, education, and legal services to ensure holistic support for survivors.
• Prepare documentation and reports for submission to relevant authorities as required, ensuring that the information complies with legal standards and confidentiality policies.
• Implement any other duties as assigned by the Protection Manager or senior leadership to support the effective delivery of the GBV program.
• Ensure accountability is integrated into country strategies, program design, monitoring and evaluations, recruitment, staff onboarding, training and performance management, partnership agreements, and highlighted in reporting.
• Support safeguarding of program participants and employees through promoting an environment of awareness and upholding the code of conduct provisions of Medical Teams Protection from Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Child & Vulnerable Adult protection, and harassment-free workplace policies. Incumbents will remain alert and responsive to any child and adult safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child and adult safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Safeguarding.

Other Duties

• Support other areas of the health activities as requested or needed to ensure efficiency and quality
• Maintain a clean and safe working environment, disposing of waste and sharps appropriately.
• Other duties as assigned
• Utilize volunteers when appropriate.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and reaches their potential as individuals and teams and collaborates to do the best work of their lives. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to adhere to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policies.

Safeguarding & Code of Conduct

Medical Teams International is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Medical Teams International Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Children and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Policy, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy Training upon hire and on an annual basis.

NOTE: The above job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed

by staff assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of staff in this position. Duties, responsibilities, and skills are also subject to change based on the changing needs of the job, department, or organization. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned; The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by Medical Teams International as the requirements of the job change.

EDUCATION, LICENSES, & CERTIFICATIONS

• First degree in psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Public Health, Gender Studies, or any other Social Science related field.
• Must be computer literate, including Microsoft word, excel, outlook and power-point

EXPERIENCE

• At least 3 years’ experience in GBV (Gender Based Violence), and Gender-related humanitarian and development programming.
• Work in remote areas is preferable.
• Clear understanding of gender, power abuse, and issues surrounding violence against women.
• Field-based experience on GBV response and child protection is advantageous
• Able to maintain GBV and protection principles at all times.
• NGO working experience is an added value

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of humanitarian standards, donors, systems and principles, e.g., Sphere, CHS, Red Cross Code of Conduct etc.
• A basic understanding of health systems.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for cross-cultural teamwork.
• Adaptable and resilient under pressure, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Knowledge of development & humanitarian issues and concepts
• Fluent spoken and written Amharic and English local language is advantageous
• Proven ability to be flexible in demanding situations
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment
• Negotiation and representation skills
• Analytical and problem-solving Computer literate, able to work efficiently in Microsoft office on standard or mobile platforms.
• Ability to lead, train, supervise, facilitate and motivate other PROTECTION field workers in their respective tasks in a professional, respectful and supportive manner.
• Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, work overtime when needed and able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Possess interest and commitment to human rights and gender equality.

Skills:

• Moderately skilled with office software: Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Moderately skilled with communication software: Outlook, Skype, Internet, CRM (or other database programs).
• Humanitarian motivation
• Emotionally and spiritually mature
• Team player – practical, desire to support the field teams.
• Willingness to pitch in and get the job done
• Understanding and sensitivity to cross cultural issues
• Flexible and adaptable to ever changing environments
• Ability to remain calm under pressure
• Able to build new relationships and gain people’s trust quickly
• Integrity in representing Medical Teams Willing to travel to insecure environments

Abilities:

• Ability to work flexible schedule and weekends as needed.
• Ability and willingness to travel to country programs on short notice up to 16 weeks a year.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment
• Ability to prioritize tasks
• Ability to embrace and promote Medical Teams International mission and vision
• Ability to uphold and exemplify the organization’s core values
• Ability to represent the organization in a professional manner to donors, volunteers, and the public

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements:

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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent use of a personal computer, database and digital platforms, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine and computer printer.
• Frequently uses hands, fingers, and arms to reach, handle, touch or feel equipment, medical instruments, materials, computer.
• Frequent communication and exchange of information among colleagues and persons of concern which requires the ability to speak, hear, convey and express oneself.
• Frequent close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs, steps, or ladder
• Occasionally move about inside an office to access file cabinets, office machinery, meet with colleagues, etc.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to ___ pounds.
• Seldom to occasionally positions oneself to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• If in travel status, occasional to frequent traversing over rough or steep terrain in either a motor vehicle or on foot.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.
• The employee may be required to travel to remote areas of the world where there are potential health hazards and risks, limited hygiene facilities, extreme weather, and very basic living conditions.