Protection Program Manager at Rise to Inspire Africa Initiative

Rise to Inspire Africa Initiative is a youth-led, impact-driven, result-oriented, non-profit and non-governmental organization that is committed to alleviating the sufferings of the vulnerable and most marginalized people in sub-Saharan Africa. The organization aims to bring about positive changes and to inspire the victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters, especially women and children, to attain self-reliance and sufficiency while providing access to equal opportunities through advocacy, collaborative networking, capacity building, and empowerment. We seek to enhance the ability of our clients to make integrated and right decisions through the many and varied programs that will help them physically, psychologically, and intellectually grow and thrive.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Protection Program Manager

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Contract
Reports to: Executive Director
Position directly supervises: All Project Officers
Indirect Reporting: Other Internal and/or external contacts
Internal: Other Project, Finance and Operations Staff.
External: Donor Staff, Consortium Staff Members, Government Ministry/Agencies, Protection Sector, CPAOR, GBVAOR, EIE Cluster

Job Summary

• The Protection Program Manager will lead the implementation, management, and monitoring of protection programs to address the needs of displaced and vulnerable populations in conflict-affected regions.
• The role requires a strong focus on program planning, capacity building, and community-driven approaches, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and organizational policies.
• The manager will oversee staff, coordinate with partners, and engage with communities to provide protection services, including child protection, GBV prevention, and psychosocial support.
• This position demands leadership in grants management, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement to enhance program efficiency and impact.
• The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in protection programming within displacement settings, a strong knowledge of protection principles, and a track record of working with international donors.
• The candidate should demonstrate exceptional skills in project management, staff supervision, budget oversight, and coordination with government, NGOs, and local communities to achieve the program’s goals.

Major Responsibilities
Program Management & Development:

• Create and execute work plans, spending plans, Item Forecasts, procurement plans, and related systems to ensure that project deadlines are met and targets are achieved.
• Supervise and coach the Child Protection Officer, Protection Officer, and MHPSS Officer to conduct monitoring (site visits, observation, focus group discussions, key informant interviews) and/or community consultations focused on protection concerns and the identification of affected populations including Persons with Disabilities (PWD) within the target communities. Ensure that monitoring visits respect the principles of confidentiality of interviewees and that all incidents reported to RIA are handled with due regard to protection principles.
• Supervise and coach the Project Officers to deliver information dissemination/ awareness-raising activities on topics such as service availability and any other services being offered.
• Support the Project Officers in maintaining a good working knowledge of available services from RIA and partners, and an ability to make appropriate referrals to those services during protection monitoring and community outreach activities.
• Develop and maintain a good knowledge of the protection situation locally and the priority needs of the IDP population and host community. Compile protection assessment reports to inform RIA and partner programming in Gwoza LGA of Borno State
• Support project staff to convene and facilitate the monthly/semi-monthly community forum made up of NNGOs, community leaders, Protection Action Groups (PAGs), local authorities, women’s committee representatives, and others to discuss community priorities and NNGO plans.
• Contribute to ongoing assessments and analyses to better understand protection risks, map points of service for survivors of GBV and vulnerable individuals and identify support structures.
• Work with teams and communities to develop appropriate prevention and awareness-raising/behavioural change strategies.
• Analyze trends of GBV and develop/adjust program strategies to meet needs.
• Support the other project staff in capacity building of community-based structures and mechanisms through training, support, and maintenance of the PAGs throughout the LGA.
• Conduct protection mainstreaming activities, especially regarding partner programming to ensure that protection principles are prioritized in service delivery and that vulnerable IDPs and host community members have equal access to services.
• Participate in the development of budget narratives, log frames, Indicator Tracking Tools (ITT) and concept notes in coordination with the Consortium Prime, Technical partners and the Executive Director
• Support other protection programs as needed, including Child Protection and Women Empowerment Scheme (WES).
• Ensure that the programming is community-driven and that community leaders fully understand and participate in the design of the project.
• Ensure monthly data cleanup and review meetings with the CPIMS and GBVIMS focal persons at the location before they are shared with the IMR Officer for consolidation.

Staff Management:

• Recruit national staff in conjunction with the Human Resources Department.
• Maintain updated job descriptions, conduct interviews, and orient new staff to the RIA and the Protection Program.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to the Project Team through regular supervision and feedback on performance.
• Build the capacity of the Project Staff to improve their range of capabilities related to the Program and its activities.
• Ensure Performance Management System documentation for all staff is in place and followed regularly.

Grants Management and Reporting:

• Manage and oversee grants; develop and maintain work, spending and procurement plans for all projects.
• Participate in Grants Project Opening, Project Implementation, Lessons learnt, Mid-Term and Project Closing meetings.
• Prepare internal and external reports within agreed deadlines using RIA and donor formats, as required.
• Ensuring effective implementation of M&E systems throughout the lifetime of the project.
• Manage the project budget; review monthly Budget vs. Actual, Weekly consolidated PRTS and expenditure sheets and collaborate with the Procurement and Finance department to ensure accurate expenditures and reporting.
• Provide ongoing leadership, training, and guidance to staff and local partners to ensure programming meets best practice standards and prioritizes the security of beneficiaries and staff.
• Participate in program design and proposal writing.
• Conduct or participate in assessments to ensure appropriate interventions are implemented.

Representation & Coordination:

• Actively participate in coordination mechanisms with partners, IDPs, and host community leaders to ensure information sharing and coordination of interventions, and to enable meaningful participation of both IDPs and host communities.
• Liaise with partners, particularly through the protection sector working group/coordination mechanism, to share findings and any issues of relevance and/or concern related to the local context or broader trends.
• Establish relationships with other NGOs, international organizations, and government offices, particularly those working in protection and participate in relevant coordination forums.
• Ensure maximum visibility of Sirri Care amongst the Donor, UN and NGO community.
• Contribute to the positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of the organisation’s Code of Conduct.

Qualifications

• Higher National Diploma or B.Sc. in Law, International Law, Human Rights, Social Sciences, Social work or International Affairs. 
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in protection programming in a displacement setting.
• Strong understanding of protection principles and likely protection concerns arising in the Nigeria context as well as conflict sensitivity
• Experience in complex emergencies and the ability to live and work in a very remote environment.
• Ability to work under pressure and without daily supervision.
• Demonstrated skill in staff management in a cross-cultural environment.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and report writing experience required.
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills.
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note
Additional Information:

• Standards of Professional Conduct:  The RIA Initiative and its workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the i-CHAIR values - Code of Conduct.  These are Integrity, Compassion, Humanity Accountability, Impact and Respect.  In accordance with these values, the RIA Initiative operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Gender-equality, Whistleblowing, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.
• Gender Equality: RIA Initiative is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
• RIA Initiative is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• RIA Initiative considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.