Job Description

LWF World Service is the humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation. We are a widely recognized, international, faith-based organization working in over 20 countries. We seek to bring people of all backgrounds together in the common quest for justice, peace, and reconciliation in an increasingly complex and fragmented world. 

A commitment to the human rights of every individual, regardless of their status, guides our work, actions, and operations. We are particularly known for our timely, compassionate, and professional humanitarian work, and for our field presence in hard-to-reach areas. Our work is people-centered and community-based. Above all, we work with the most vulnerable, and in order to claim and uphold their rights, we engage proactively with local government and community structures. 

Our partners in Ethiopia, including Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), diaconal arms of Lutheran churches, UN Agencies, Global Affairs Canada, the EU/ECHO and USAID with whom we are a key implementing partner. 

LWF World Service Ethiopia is a registered foreign charity that has been operating in Ethiopia since 1973 implementing various development and humanitarian projects in different parts of Ethiopia.

LWF World Service Ethiopia is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants based on merit regardless of sex, color, religion, ethnicity, age, marital status, or disability.

Position Description

The Protection Officer is responsible for the implementation of the LWF/WS Protection project aimed at providing lifesaving assistance to conflict affected communities in Chinaksen Woreda of East Hararghe Zone in the Oromia Region and Tuluguled Woredas of Fafan Zone in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The incumbent will provide technical guidance to other staffs in the protection project. He/she shall be based in Chinaksen Town and will be reporting to the Project Team Leader.

The Protection Officer shall have the following roles and responsibilities:

Key Responsibilities as a Protection Officer

The Protection Officer leads and coordinates the protection project and activities aimed at providing timely and effective protection to populations of concern. His/her responsibilities, among others include the following. He/She;

• Leads technical support and the implementation of project activities pertaining to child protection, gender-based violence (GBV) and psychosocial support

• Train community structure leaders on CBPA/Community based protection approach.

• Facilitate reactivation and or creation of complaints response mechanism (CRM) committees to increase community voice, promote community empowerment and participation in decisions making, and to build and maintain trust and transparency with the community.

• Facilitate monitoring of the established CRMs committees to ensure that they carry out their responsibilities in line with LWFs guidelines.

• Facilitate training of staffs and community structures on protection guidelines and protection mainstreaming based on approved training modules.

• Facilitate identification and registration of UASC, persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups to ensure that they are actively involved and targeted in the project.    

• Facilitate awareness creation on the rights of vulnerable groups in the community.

• In partnership with the local health facilities, develop appropriate GBV/PSEA treatment kits. 

• Work with other partners to develop/update referral pathway in the IDP camps. 

• Work together with Peace Building Officer to facilitate community dialogue meetings with the community.

• Work with the Peace Building Officer in Carrying out CBPS and community based protection approaches.

• Work with the various formal and informal community institutions to establish support structures for the affected communities,

• Represent LWF in all forums relevant to protection including protection cluster at regional and local levels as appropriate

• Maintain LWF presence through regular field monitoring and reports, making direct contact with persons of concern, host communities, local authorities and partners

• Ensure that the perspectives, capacities, needs and resources of the persons of concerns are reflected in the protection planning processes and operation plans addressing the specific protection needs of women and men, children, youth and older persons and persons with disabilities

• Lead the operation team in reviewing progress and results, identify gaps and solutions and share technical ideas for the project staff as well as his/her supervisors

• Select target communities and project priority groups jointly with project staff, local government and community representatives and other relevant stakeholders,

• Provide technical backstopping and facilitation, work closely with partners, field staff, and cluster based stakeholders, networks, and community members to ensure achievement of objectives in timely and cost effective manner;

• Establish sustainability mechanisms and structures that will emphasize participation of vulnerable groups including children, GBV survivors and other individuals in need of protection.

• Attend co-ordination meetings in order to connect with other actors in the child protection sector and link LWFs child protection efforts with those of UN agencies and other NGOs together with the Child Protection and GBV officer

• Work with other staffs to ensure that weekly situation reports, monthly, quarterly, midyear and annual reports that reflect the impact of the projects meet donor requirements and are in accordance with LWF standards and procedures.

• Identify and assess potential funding sources and develop funding proposals.

• Prepare and share donor reports as per LWF and donor guidelines.

• Monitor and manage budget for protection project and carry out regular expenditure reviews to ensure funds are utilized within the project timeline.

• Perform other additional duties as assigned by his/her supervisor

Job Requirements

Required qualification and Work Experience:  

• Masters of Bachelor Degree in Law, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology or other related fields and Minimum of 3 years relevant experience for Bachelor degree and 1 year for Master’s Degree holder.

• Minimum of 1 year relevant work experience for Master’s Degree and 3 years for Bachelor Degree

 Key competencies:

• Strong communication skill in English (written and oral)

• Ability to interact with people

• Experience in the areas of protection including GBV, child protection and psychosocial support

• Interested to work under pressure and in harsh environment

• Previous related experience in NGO setup is an advantage

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the above requirement can apply using THIS LINK

Women are encouraged to apply and only short-listed applicants will be contacted.