Protection Officer

Who we are

SOS Childrens Villages Ethiopia is an International Non-governmental organization and a member of SOS Childrens Villages International Federation. We started our humanitarian work in Ethiopia with the opening of our first Village in Mekelle, Northern part of Ethiopia in 1974. Since then, we have expanded our programs to different regions where there are significant needs for intervention and where we believe we can work in partnership with all relevant actors to bring sustainable positive outcomes for childrens and young people.

Today, we have grown significantly to meet the persistent challenges that confront Ethiopian children who have lost parental care and those that are at risk of losing their parental care. Working in close collaboration with international donors, local government and community based organizations across seven program locations; we aspire that every child grows up with love, respect and security.

Why we need you?

The Protection Officer plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable groups, including children, youth, persons with disabilities, women, and elders, who are affected by recurring drought and conflict in the project intervention area. The officer will integrate protection activities across all sectors of the Dutch Relief Alliance, Ethiopia Joint Response (DRA, EJR) Project, aligning them with the Sphere handbook and Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) commitment.

As a Protection Officer, she/he will be responsible to encompass various aspects of protection and safeguarding. This includes strengthening the capacity of protection service providers and providing assistance to vulnerable children. She/he will also be responsible for enhancing gender-based violence prevention and response services, ensuring that proper measures are in place to address such issues effectively. Conducting trainings on psychosocial support and child protection in emergencies is another crucial aspect of her/his role.

Implementing community-based protection mechanisms and mainstreaming protection within the community is vital to create a safe and protective environment for this position holder. She/he will also play a crucial role in promoting positive parenting and implementing gender transformative programming. Managing, planning, and reporting on program activities are essential to ensure smooth implementation and monitoring of projects.

What we provide?

An amazing work environment that promotes personal growth through providing professional space to grow and advance your career!

Your role?

While working with us you will be in charge of the following,

PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDING

• Organize protection and safeguarding awareness creation campaign and report the status;
• Ensure the implementation of the protection activities as per the timeframe
• Contribute to the programme of results-based management in protection programming through a consultative process with the line supervisor.
• Ensure gender, age and diversity issues are analyzed and updated regularly to respond to beneficiaries' needs in the area of operation.
• Proactively exchange learning and synergy with all involved partners and stakeholders.
• In collaboration with EJR partners identify protection risks in the area and consult with concerned bodies to design new intervention
• Prepare relevant sections of reports required for donors, government, management, and annual reports.
• Conduct regular follow-up and monitoring of the protection activities and project participants on the field
• Carry out additional duties within his/her level of skills and experience ordered by his/her line supervisor.
• Coordinate activities with all stakeholders and the community to build cooperative working relationships at the Woreda level.
• Attend protection cluster (GBV and CP) meetings and represent GE in protection meetings, visits, assessments etc
• Work on the monthly progress reports and weekly update and share to the S/P/P manager
• Support periodic need assessments, baseline survey, beneficiary targeting & verification, and post-distribution monitoring on the field.

CHILD PROTECTION

• Conduct community dialogues on Child protection, HTP, PSHEA, FGM, GBV prevention & response and others in the project implementation in each Kebele;
• Strength the capacity of formal government structures, informal community structures and community leaders in the protection of children, women and the most vulnerable;
• Adapt TeamUp, and Positive Parenting in targeted schools of Midhaga Tola Woreda;
• Furnish/establish and technically support child-safe corner in targeted schools;
• Provide need-based support to school clubs and vulnerable children & school-going adolescent girls in targeted schools;
• Regular supervision to ensure all child protection activities meet quality standards as per the child protection minimum standards;
• Develop internal system for identification of children needs during activities and ensure linkage between children services and other partners and stakeholders activities including CFS;
• Coordinate with all agencies on child protection while working with GE in Charge to ensure compliance to inter agency and GE International standards for implementing child protection and GBV activities. activities

GBV

• Establish and support the women in IGA to empower them with livelihood resources;
• Facilitate training on SGBV, HTP, early marriage, FGM, PFA, Protection Mainstreaming, MHPSS, CPiE, life skills and other relevant capacity building interventions;
• Strength case identification, referral linkage and response service to provide need-based protection assistance to protection risk cases and GBV survivors;
• Establish/strengthen and support a one-stop center at woreda level for GBV support;
• Establish, equip and support the operation of women and girl-friendly space;
• Train and mobilize case workers/WFS facilitators and community members on GBV and Sexual Exploitation and Assault (SEA); and
• Train staff, other implementing partners as well as community members on SGBV/SHEA.

SAFEGUARDING/COMPLIANCE ISSUES

• Ensure compliance with SOS CV Sexual Misconduct Regulation, Child Safeguarding Policy, Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption policy;
• Ensure the Prevention from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy (PSEA), and Code of Conduct and uphold the highest standards according to his/her area of responsibility;
• Ensure that program participants, partners and other stakeholders are properly introduced and refreshed to the safeguarding principles of the organization.
• Foster a working environment that is non-threatening, safe, and actively addressing safeguarding in its processes; and
• Take proactive steps to ensure that potential safeguarding risks are identified and work to eliminate and mitigate those risks.

MAINSTREAMING PROTECTION

• Mainstream protection components in FSL, MPC and WASH interventions and across all areas of the project implementation;

Must Criteria

• Possesses a minimum BSc/BA degree in relevant fields such as Psychology, Gender and Development Studies, Sociology, Social Work, or related areas of focus from a recognized University.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in protection mainstreaming, child protection, safeguarding, and gender;
• Experience in implementing protection, child protection in emergencies, and gender projects in remote areas
• Proficient in training, facilitation, and community mobilization;
• Skilled in project monitoring at the field level and report writing
• Proven experience working for NGOs in hard-to-reach areas; and
• Sound understanding and application of SPHERE, Core Humanitarian Standard, and Red Cross Codes of Conduct.

Competencies Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Skills

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, effectively conveying information and building positive relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds;
• Proficient in documentation management and experienced in utilizing project management tools to ensure organized and efficient workflows;
• Strong time management skills, adept at prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines without compromising quality;
• Demonstrates accountability and responsiveness in fulfilling areas of responsibility, taking ownership of tasks and delivering results;
• Capable of safeguarding the well-being of children and adults at risk, understanding and implementing appropriate measures to ensure their safety and protection;
• Possesses good computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office and internet usage, enabling efficient data management and research;
• Fluent in oral and written English, Afaan Oromoo, and Amharic, facilitating effective communication with diverse language speakers; and
• Holds a valid motorbike driving license, enabling safe and reliable transportation for fieldwork or other relevant activities.

Abilities

• Maintains strict personal integrity and upholds a high level of confidentiality;
• Demonstrates creativity, innovation, and flexibility as a valuable team player, effectively managing a demanding workload;
• Committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, including gender and disability, fostering an environment that values and respects all individuals;
• Possesses sensitivity and cross-cultural competence, effectively engaging with diverse communities;
• Shows a strong willingness to immerse oneself in the field, spending significant time with communities;
• Driven by targets and results, consistently striving to achieve goals and make a tangible impact; and
• Exhibits genuine care and a deep commitment to the well-being and progress of the target community

CORE COMPETENCY

• Kindness: Act with empathy towards everyone he/she works with.
• Continuous Learning: Make an effort to learn, understand and grow as a person, admitting your own mistakes
• Inclusiveness: In any actions show respect and care for others
• Initiative: speak up when things are not right, do not hesitate to act and adapt to change when necessary
• Results Orientation: prioritize safeguarding, look for solutions and focus on desired results