Protection Officer at Grassroots Life Saving Outreach (LESGO)

Grassroots Lifesaving Outreach (LESGO) is an impartial, neutral and independent Non-Governmental Organization whose mission exclusively established to promote life in underserved communities through empowering communities to know and protect lives including their environment towards ensuring safe habitation through participatory methodology. Established in Grassroots Lifesaving Outreach was established in 2010 but was incorporated in the year 2011 with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). LESGO exists to partner with government and relevant agencies to promote and strengthen humanitarian law and a universal principle that seeks to honor the dignity of mankind with support and believe that Life is worth living and living well.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Protection Officer

Location: Madagali / Yola South, Adamawa
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Summary

• We are looking for a Protection/GBV Officer to provide day to day management of GBV prevention related activities in project locations. The holder of the position will work under the overall supervision of the Project Manager.
• S/he will coordinate, manage, & supervise the direct implementation of community based GBV Prevention and Women & Girls Safe Spaces activities in Yola South and Madagali LGAs in Adamawa State.
• S/he will work and liaise closely with the Health Coordinator and M&E Officer, on coordination of all GBV related activities as per the donor requirements.
• The position holder will work closely with relevant state ministries, LGA representatives and community structures.

Responsibilities 
Planning and Implementing protection, GBV & HLP activities in the field:

• Take lead in the consultation, planning and implementation of programmes and activities aimed at increasing Women and Girls participation and involvement in LESGO project activities as well as their improved access to services.
• Identify and promote culturally appropriate/relevant interventions geared towards improved physical and reproductive health, social skills (conflict resolution, problem-solving, empathy and relationship building) and self-sufficiency of target beneficiaries.
• Identify Housing Land and Property (HLP) cases at project locations, refer same to the HLP sub-sector, and follow through to ascertain that the cases are attended to solved to an appreciable outcome.
• Support in the identification of extremely vulnerable girls and young women for appropriate direct LESGO support or referral to other actors for services not offered at LESGO.
• Actively support in implementation of social norms transformation activities like SAA and other GBV prevention approaches when requested and required to by the supervisor.
• Ensure awareness raising activities at the community level are conducted and key messages on GBV prevention and response shared appropriately.
• Manage and mentor the community-based protection committees including GBV champions, community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure quality in their work and better community engagement techniques.
• Support day to day activities at the women and girls’ safe spaces including consultations with the project participants, information sharing and psychosocial support.

Coordination and Networking:

• Maintain and strengthen existing networks through other service providers at LGA level, to ensure that survivors receive quality services and support.
• Coordinate with other operating partners including CSOs, local and International NGOs, local women and youth groups and State and LGA departments in all actions relating to improved quality of GBV programming in the project locations in Adamawa
• Strengthen existing referral systems and identify new networks to work with to ensure holistic support to the clients.
• In collaboration with other partners, awareness-raising interventions within the community focusing on the protection needs of all.
• Participate in conducting trainings for partners on relevant organizational development areas and support peer learning between LESGO and other partner agencies.

Community Engagement and Outreach:

• Conduct sensitization, dialogues and awareness sessions with the wider population about issues of Sexual and Gender-based violence and women HLP rights.
• Identify and strengthen Community structures through engaging community leaders and other stakeholders to ensure that the survivors receive adequate support at the community level.
• Ensure monthly work plans are developed and reviewed regularly.
• Hold regular meetings with staff to plan and address any concerns and share feedback.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning:

• Assist in preparing monthly progress report
• Use appropriate data collection tools and submit assessments and reports in a timely and accurate manner to the MEAL team
• Assist in the designing, planning, implementing and facilitating of external trainings for numerous target groups.
• Ensure Core Humanitarian Accountability Standards are mainstreamed in the day-to-day project implementation.
• Assist with any other related activities as deemed necessary by the supervisor.
• Support in conducting assessment and analysis of camp and host community dynamics and in recommending how the project can position itself to better serve the interests of the community.
• Support the MEAL staff to develop project monitoring and evaluation tools and assist in mid-term and end of project evaluations. Ensure safe and proper documentation and storage/filling of all GBV related program materials.
• Monitor work plan and its effectiveness and efficient implementation.
• Support document success/human interest stories in collaboration with the communication team
• Conduct comprehensive report and documentation of lessons learnt and best practices to achieve project goals and activities.

Staff Supervision & Capacity Development:

• Ensure monthly work plans are developed and reviewed regularly.
• Hold regular meetings with staff to plan and address any concerns and share feedback.
• Monitor and provide objective feedback related to staff performance, including completing staff performance development evaluations to promote growth and professional development.
• Provide leadership and support to ensure staff well-being, i.e. monitor and manage stress management by providing regular opportunities for staff debriefing to address secondary trauma.
• Organize for internal peer to peer capacity building forums on GBV

Other Responsibilities:

• Other Responsibilities as Assigned
• Contribute to LESGO’s resource mobilization efforts

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree (Social Sciences; Psychology, Community Health, International Relations, Law, Community Development or relevant Social Sciences.
• At least 3 years’ experience in protection work supervisory responsibilities over national staff, program development, planning and implementation.
• Must have in-depth technical expertise on Protection, Women and Girls’ safe spaces programming and Gender Based Violence related issues including having a clear understanding of gender inequality, Housing Land and Property (HLP) and issues surrounding discrimination and violence against women and girls.
• Must have experience with operationalizing GBV principles; Human Rights Law, Housing Land and Property Laws, Humanitarian principles and other relevant international standards in a humanitarian aid setting; Well versed with Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS).
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff, beneficiaries, duty bearers and other stakeholders.
• Proficient in Microsoft office -word, presentation, excel, access and outlook.

Desired:

• Proficient in community mobilization, challenging social norms/relations, Behavior Change Communication and Case Management with good facilitation skills.
• Proven record of providing trainings and workshops on gender and GBV, SRH, topics in a variety of settings.
• Excellent Analytical, Communication and Report writing skills; Excellent Negotiation and Conflict Resolution skills

Success Factors:

• The successful candidate will be capable of multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive, and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building.
• S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level. Successful LESGO team members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority.

Travel:

• The successful candidate will be willing to travel to field locations in the Northeast based on program needs. This will mean sometimes staying and working in stressful environments with very basic living conditions, strictly following security protocols and sometimes working long and irregular hours.

Application Closing Date
24th June, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit copies of their CV and cover letter to our Yola Office at:
1A Hong Road, Karewa Extension,
Behind Airforce Quarters,
Opposite Ramat College Jimeta-Yola,
Yola North LGA, Adamawa State
Or
Click here to apply online

Note

• Only qualified candidates will be contacted.
• Our employees enjoy a work culture that promotes diversity and inclusion
• LESGOprovides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
• This is an emergency recruitment, and we are looking to fill this role as soon as possible. Candidates available to start immediately are highly preferred.
• Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply