In line with FRC’s Country Strategy and Protection Strategy, the Protection Officer will be primarily responsible for ensuring protection mainstreaming within the overall design and implementation of the FRC’s Inclusive Education and livelihoods interventions serving refugees and host communities in Gambella Region of Ethiopia. The Officer will closely work with the FRC Country Office and Gambella Field Office teams in planning and executing strategies to enhance the safety, dignity, gender equality, and inclusion of PWD and other vulnerable members of the refugees and host communities through promoting accountable service delivery practices. The Officer will also play key role in the coordination of collaboration with regional and local government bodies and non-government agencies that FRC works in partnership with, in the spirit of working together to maximize impacts for rights holders as well as to reduce duplication of efforts and promote efficient use of resources through collective action.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

Project Design and Implementation (20%)

• Contribute to the design of tools for assessments of the needs and assets and associated risks and vulnerabilities of refugee and host communities including those related to Women and PWDs

• Support the design and implementation of integrated and standalone protection interventions to enhance the safety, dignity, equality, and empowerment of right holders

• Work closely work with Education officers and program Officers to identify and ensure the benefit of women, PWD, and other legible members of the communities from the functional literacy, life skills, and economic integration activities

• Contribute to the design of context-specific tools and guidelines for gender analysis, protection, inclusion, accountability, and other relevant areas

• In collaboration with other colleagues, ensure the implementation of the Standard Operating Procedures for different aspects of the adult learning program

• Design / adopt referral pathways at the camp and host community levels for linkages to protection services 

Community Mobilization and Empowerment (20%)

• Work with the camp management, local administration, and community leaders on ensuring proper targeting of learners with due consideration to the inclusion

• Ensure community participation and input in the selection and continual assessment of the suitability of learning spaces and course contents

• Provide inputs into the design of community-based awareness raising and other protection interventions to bring about attitudinal and practice changes on negative norms governing gender and disability issues

• Support the establishment and strengthening of community-based protection mechanisms

Accountability to Rights Holders (20%)

• Act as Accountability Focal Person, including receiving and responding to feedback and complaints from target groups, regularly monitor the functionality of CBFCRMs and ensure necessary adjustments through the active participation of right holders

• Act as a focal point for receiving, investigating, and responding to Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse (SHEA) related allegations. 

• Contribute to the design and implementation of effective two-way information and communication exchange between FRC and target groups

• Contribute to the design and implementation of context specific and functional Community Based Feedback and Complaints Response Mechanisms (CBFCRM)

• Ensure adherence to FRC’s data protection and communication guidelines including the use of photos in official publications to ensure the protection of FRC’s rights holders

• Take an active role in the organization of international and local events on protection, refugees, gender, PWD, and other themes

• Work with RCC, local administration and the wider community to identify and include women, PWD, elderly and other vulnerable groups during the targeting of adult learners from refugee and host communities to ensure their participation in FRC’s education program

• Facilitate the timely assessment and verification of target PWD’s status and facilitate the inclusive environment for reasonable accommodation in FRC’s program

• Coordinate the timely procurement and proper distribution of assistive devices and access to medical care

• Establish mechanisms for structured and sustained collaboration with other implementing agencies for facilitating access to services at field level

Capacity Building (5%)

• Closely work with the Field Office team during screening and selection of Peer Facilitators to ensure gender representation and inclusion of PWD

• By working closely with Protection Specialist and Education Specialist and other colleagues continually assess the capacity of Peer Facilitators and other Community based incentive workers and develop a capacity building plan

• Support the design and implementation of training and capacity building activities to Field Office staff, government representatives and other relevant actors on protection and other relevant topics based on the identified gaps and emerging needs

Coordination and Representation (10%)

• Liaise with other agencies/NGOs/government bodies/donors to ensure coordination of the implementation of common standards in the field and consideration of protection issues in assistance programs.  

• Actively represent FRC in the camp level coordination platforms led by UNHCR and other implementing agencies in key thematic areas including Protection, Gender Based Violence, Inclusion, Accountability and other relevant themes

• Take an active role in the preparation and participation in periodic meetings and events jointly with the government and other implementing partners

Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Documentation (20%)

• Make regular field visits to monitor the progress of protection mainstreaming and ensure timely response to the concerns of adult learners and groups

• Contribute to/ prepare periodic activity and based on the prescribed template

• Support the Program officer in designing and implementing baseline and end line surveys and mid term and final evaluation of program and project performance

• Regularly compile feedback and complaints from communities

• Compile monthly, quarterly, and annual PSEA reports for submission to field office and CO

• Generate periodic reports and information dashboard on protection activities

• Regularly collect and compile general and specific progress on learners (including success stories as input into periodic reports and publications

Other (5%)

• Undertake any other duties as directed by the Field Office Manager 

Location :Gambella Regional State, Ethiopia (refugee camps and host communities across Gambella region)  

Reports to: Field Manager

Job Requirements

Professional Standards: 

  FRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the FRC Code of Conduct. 

 EDUCATION

• MA/BA in Sociology, Social Work, Law, Gender Studies or other relevant social science fields

EXPERIENCE:

• At least 4 and 6 respective years of experience working in the humanitarian sector preferably on protection-related issues

• Demonstrated understanding of the basic principles of humanitarian work, human rights, protection, and contextual issues related to refugees and host communities in Ethiopia

• Demonstrated experience in community mobilization and working with grassroots communities including displaced populations and refugees

• Experience working with vulnerable populations affected by conflict and displacement preferably in the refugee community

• Working knowledge of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) is preferable

 Skills, Attitudes and Attributes

• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, set priorities, and meet deadlines 

• Fluent in English; excellent written and oral communication skills, including facilitation and cross-cultural communication. 

• Willingness to collaborate with and support people from different ethnic groups and different religions and other social diversity

• Strong qualities of keeping confidentiality

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Team player with strong interpersonal and communication and facilitation skills Strong attention to detail, and time management skills

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, etc

How to Apply

Fill out the Application Form through this LINK and Send the filled FRC Application Form, CV and cover letter only via email: recruitment.ethiopia@refugeecouncil.fi

Note: Please refer in the subject line of your email to the following code: FRC/GAMB/PO/02/23. Women are highly encouraged to apply!