Description of the Unit/Department

CST Ethiopia represents the overseas development and humanitarian agencies of the Catholic Church from England and Wales (CAFOD), Scotland (SCIAF), and Ireland (Trócaire) in Ethiopia. The three agencies have over 40 years’ of experience in international development and humanitarian response and are each members of worldwide networks, including Caritas Internationalis. Currently, the three agencies jointly operate a single, integrated country programme in Ethiopia through the legal entity CST Ethiopia.

Currently, CST Ethiopia is implementing a Women Empowerment Programme that focuses on building the capacity of women at individual, household-, and community level both economically and socially. In addition, recently the issue of women’s participation in peace building, protection ,PSS , and GBV has become a focus of intervention within the Women Empowerment intervention of CST.The Protection Programme Officer role will responsible t to provide technical support to GBV/protection Implmneting  Partners in the delivery of effective, efficient, and timely Protection services that includes GBV and Child protection. S/he is going to facilitate a capacity building trainings for Partners and other key stakeholders in relation to Protection,PSS and GBV. 

CST  Ethiopia is implementing a 2017-21 country strategic plan focused on two programmes – Women’s Empowerment and Resilient Communities, which integrates sustainable livelihoods, humanitarian and other (e.g. peacebuilding) programming.

For the candidate with the required experience and passion for the role, CST Ethiopia offers a competitive package of salary and benefits.

Scope of Role

The Protection Programme Officer reports to the Protection Manager  in Tigray .The Protection Programme Officer  works closely with the GBV team in Tigray, Women’s Empowerment  Programme, Resilient Communities Programme team , Consortium Manager, CST Programme Staff, Regional Humanitarian Coordinator, HQ colleagues, partners and other stakeholders to:

• Provides technical support on Protection  and  GBV response interventions  of GBV implmneting  partners in Tigray

• Facilitate capacity development of local partners in the Protection sector (GBV response, PSS)

• Support partners to implement protection interventions, with a particular focus on GBV response (Health, Psychosocial, GBV Case Management, Women’s and Girls’ Safe Spaces, Referral Systems), risk mitigation (Dignity Kits, cash and voucher assistance) and community based psychosocial support, in line with the Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies Programming and GBV/CP sub-cluster strategies and priorities. 

• Monitor Protection works of Partners and ensure that they are in line with the contractual agreements and legal requirements

• Prepare and support the development of concept notes and proposals in collaboration with Partners and relevant CST Team.

• Represent CST Ethiopia in the Protection cluster, CP/GBV sub-cluster, and other relevant working groups and meetings. 

Commitment to Safeguarding Programme Participants from Exploitation and Abuse  :

CST Ethiopia is committed to safeguarding people within our programmes from exploitation and abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Behaviour), which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives.  Additionally, CST recognises the personal dignity and rights of children, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect. CST Ethiopia and all its staff and volunteers undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for all people, including children and young people, and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse.  Any candidate offered a job with CST will be expected to sign CST’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Behaviour as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. All roles will require reference checks, which include reference to safeguarding, child protection and code of behaviour, while specific roles may require additional police vetting. 

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Project Design and Management 

• Provide technical oversight of project activities and capacity building support to the partners’ Protection/GBV prevention and response interventions.

• Lead on technical aspects of the Protection works of CST Ethiopia in Tigray Region, including technical design of project activities and proposals in line with donor requirements and global standards. 

• Support the development of standard procedures and guidance for the Protection/GBV prevention and response programme in close coordination and cooperation with local partner organisations and CST Ethiopia Programme, in line with national and international standards including the Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies Programming, 2019, Inter-Agency GBV Case Management Guidelines, 2017, WHO Clinical Management of Rape and IPV Survivors Guidance, 2014, 2019.

• Support partners to implement CST standards relating to Safeguarding, Protection Mainstreaming and Accountability to Affected Populations.

• Ensure that the GBV programme approaches are consistent, technically sound and effective, drawing on both evidence-based strategies and innovative approaches that consider the context and the capacities of implementing partners.

• With support from the MEAL Advisor, support CST Ethiopia  Programme officers and partners in conducting assessments and base-/end line surveys as needed, ensuring compliance with safety and ethical standards. 

• In close coordination with Women Empowerment Programme Coordinator, Programme Manager, Business Development & Compliance Advisor, and Finance & Administration Manager ensure that reporting complies with CST Ethiopia and donor requirements within agreed timeframes. 

• In collaboration with Women Empowerment Programme Coordinator and other relevant CST Teams,  responsible for the design Protection/GBV related project concept notes and proposals  

• Ensures protection of IDPs and returnees by developing and maintaining close working relations with governments, legislators, NGOs and other interesed entities

•  Ensure dissemination of clear and reliable information on service provision

Build Capacity of Partners and Key Stakeholders :

• In collaboration  with Women Empowerment Programme Coordinator, conduct capacity gap assessment of Partners  on Protection & GBV and design an action plan to address the gap 

• Design and facilitate capacity building (training, mentoring, accompaniment) with partner staff on Psychosocial Support, GBV Case Management, Psychosocial First aid, Health responses to GBV, Women’s and Girls’ Safe Spaces,  facilitation skills, and other relevant trainings to Partner staff and other stakeholders and monitor its effectiveness.  

• In close coordination with the regional Protection cluster and CP/GBV sub-cluster, produce, publish and distribute relevant ICT materials to all stakeholders working on Protection and GBV interventions

• Ensure adherence of partners delivering case management services to the GBV in humanitarian settings Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for GBV in Emergencies Programmingand Inter-Agency Case Management Guidelines. 

• Participate in the development or update of service mapping and referral pathway for Tigray Region with the Protection cluster and relevant service providers

• In close coordination with the regional Protection cluster, organize experience sharing forums and capture the learnings

• Develop lessons learnt documents and tools to actively share best practices across CST Ethiopia Partners and CAFOD/SCIAF/Trócaire, and to ensure that lessons learnt feed into future programme design. 

Financial Management 

• Prepares and monitors project budgets relating to both CST Ethiopia and partner-led expenditure in collaboration with the  Women Empowerment  Programme Coordinator

• Ensures the partner budgets are correct and supports the project objectives with support from Programme Accountant. 

• Provides feedback to partners on budgets and financial reports with support from Programme Accountant 

• Delivers institutionally funded projects within agreed budgets 

Represent CST Ethiopia  

• Consolidate and strengthen relationships with CST Ethiopia  partners and other key stakeholders working on Protection/ GBV in Tigray Region

• Participate in relevant coordination forum and cluster meetings of Protection, GBV, and other relevant meetings and actively contribute to sector analysis.

• In close coordination with the Protection cluster, participate in drafting advocacy notes.  

Other

• Undertake any and all other duties as may be assigned by the Women Empowerment  Programme Coordinator  or Consortium Manager that are consistent with the nature of the job, its level of responsibility and requirements of the CST country programme

Location: Mekelle frequst travel to project site

Reporting: To  Protection Manager

Managing: No direct line management; partner management required

Team: Women Empowerment Programme; CST Programme Team 

Contact type:    Fixed Term Contract 

Contract Duration : 24 months 

Job Requirements

Qualification

• Minimum first degree  in Social Work, Public Health, Psychology, International Development or other relevant field of study humanitarian related fields and development studies 

Experience

• At least 5 years of project management experience with at least 2 years of Protection/GBV project management experience in humanitarian settings

• Experience providing psychosocial support to at-risk women, girls, in particular GBV survivors.  

• Excellent management, project planning, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills

• Experience working with capacity building of local NGOs on PSS, GBV case management, Psychosocial first aid, health responses to GBV, and or other related topics 

• Academic and/or practical experience in designing and implementing trainings for adults

• Demonstrated experience of mainstreaming including gender, Safeguarding, Protection and accountability 

• Experience working in a partnership led NGO 

• Practical experience of monitoring and managing budgets 

Skills

• Must be able to work independently while being a strong team player 

• Ability to transfer skills and knowledge through, training, mentorship and accompaniment.

• Familiarity with standards and guidelines on Protection, MHPSS and GBV interventions and coordination. 

• Practicing gender & cultural diversity

• Familiarity with international humanitarian operations, coordination structures, and the mandates of donors, UN agencies, and NGOs

• Ability to exercise sound judgment, to remain flexible to a changing environment, and to make decisions independently

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written

• Fluency in English and Amharic (Tigrayan language skills an asset)

• Strong computer skills: must be competent in the use of Windows, MS office programs (Word, Excel)

Qualities

• Strong commitment to principles of partnership, solidarity, social justice and localisation

• Excellent networking skills with the ability to establish good relationships, confident in engaging with colleagues, partners and stakeholders 

• Constructively critical and analytical 

• Entrepreneurial, affinity to creativity and innovations 

• Open-minded and flexible in approach 

• Effective communication 

•  Readiness to work outside of the framed job description

Other

• Availability to work outside regular hours to meet deadlines and travel within Tigray Region and outside when necessary and sometimes on short notice.

• As this role involves providing technical accompaniment within GBV services and women only spaces, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. 

• Tigrayan language skills are strongly desirable

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants can apply through the link: CLICK HERE