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.

RIA commenced operations fully in Oct. 2020 in Borno State complimenting the efforts of partners and humanitarian actors by providing humanitarian support to unreached internally displaced populations hosted in IDP camps, camp-like settings, host communities and returnee populations. We are working consciously hard to improve lives in the following thematic areas, education in emergencies, protection: child protection, gender-based violence and peacebuilding and conflict resolution, and software component of WaSH.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Protection Officer will be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of protection activities within IDP camps and host communities. The role involves identifying protection concerns, managing cases of gender-based violence (GBV), managing safeguarding issues, and other protection risks, as well as ensuring the well-being and dignity of vulnerable individuals and communities. The successful candidate will coordinate closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the delivery of protection services and interventions are in line with humanitarian standards.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Program Manager
Position directly supervises:  GBV Caseworker

Indirect Reporting:
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Operations Staff, Other Program Staff.

External: GBVAOR, Government Ministries, Consortium Staff, GBV/Protection Partners

Major Responsibilities:

Protection Programming:

• Identify protection risks, including GBV, child protection, and human rights violations, and refer cases for appropriate intervention.
• Implement protection activities and outreach programs to vulnerable individuals and communities.
• Provide psychosocial support and case management services to individuals affected by protection concerns.
• Monitor the delivery of protection services to ensure they meet humanitarian standards.

Case Management:

• Conduct individual interviews and assess the specific needs of persons at risk.
• Develop case management plans and ensure timely follow-up.
• Refer cases to relevant service providers for specialized support, including healthcare, psychosocial support, legal aid, and shelter.

Community Engagement and Protection Mainstreaming:

• Facilitate awareness-raising sessions and training on protection principles, rights, and entitlements for community members, including camp residents and host communities.
• Ensure that protection mainstreaming principles (e.g., safety, dignity, accountability) are integrated into all camp and program activities.
• Encourage the active participation of vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, and elderly persons, in all protection activities.

Coordination and Advocacy:

• Liaise with relevant authorities, NGOs, and UN agencies to strengthen protection coordination and referral pathways.
• Represent the organization in protection cluster meetings, advocating for the protection needs of IDPs and other vulnerable populations.
• Support advocacy efforts aimed at promoting respect for human rights and adherence to international protection standards.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Data Collection:

• Conduct regular protection monitoring in camps and communities to identify emerging trends and protection risks.
• Maintain accurate records of protection activities, case files, and referrals.
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly reports on protection activities, case outcomes, and challenges.
• Participate in assessments and surveys to inform the design and improvement of protection programs.

Requirements:

Essential Qualifications:

• HND/B.Sc. in social work, Law, Psychology, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in protection, GBV, or child protection within humanitarian contexts.
• Experience working with IDPs, refugees, or other vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas.
• Knowledge of international humanitarian law, human rights principles, and protection standards.

Essential skills

• Experience in facilitation and training in Gender Based Violence and case management.
• Demonstrated a high level of conceptual and analytical thinking skills.
• Staff management skills and effective leadership
• The ability to maintain expected performance in diverse contexts, and potentially challenging environments with limited resources.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively and build relationships at all levels, considering cultural and language differences and sensitivities.
• Excellent skills in written and spoken English and local languages in Gwoza.
• Effective report-writing skills

• 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.