The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict-affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state, and Damaturu of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs for primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods

Job Overview/Summary

Under the supervision of the Protection Manager, the Protection Officer will work extensively with other sectors, to ensure that protection principles are being incorporated into the Nigeria sector programs, and in particular with the Women’s Protection and Empowerment Coordinator, the Child Youth and Protection Development Coordinator and the Food Security team to strengthen the integrated nature of IRC’s protection and assistance programs in Nigeria. The Protection Officer will be the focal point in conducting protection monitoring in target areas and will conduct case intake for individual protection cases. The Protection Officer will also ensure the smooth formation and running of community-based protection structures and mechanisms.

Major Responsibilities

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

Take the lead in conducting protection monitoring (community and individual level) visits in target communities to identify protection trends.  Establish, oversee, and ensure the smooth running of Community-Based Protection Structures or Protection Action Groups (PAGs). Identify, document, and report on key protection issues, concerns, and threats in the target location.  Ensure that minimum standards of protection are consistently applied through community-based protection methods. In coordination with the Legal officer and Assistant, oversee and manage individual protection cases. Support Information Assistants in conducting community mobilization, awareness raising, and information dissemination activities. Support and participate in the organization and facilitation of Protection training at the community and state level. Identify and refer to the most vulnerable individuals to appropriate services and assistance. Ensure that all reporting is disaggregated by age and sex and that information is effectively shared

Program Development

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

Prepare periodic program reports in consultation with the Protection Manager, Reporting/Database Assistant, and other IRC Protection staff.  Take part in the design, planning, execution, and monitoring of protection activities. Take the lead in budgeting and accountability for all community-based protection activities. Take part in developing monthly work plans and visiting the field sites, regularly holding FGD and community meetings Participate in data collection, vulnerability screening, and assessments such as needs assessments, baseline/end-line surveys, etc. Develop and maintain good working relationships with relevant stakeholders such as government authorities, community leaders, INGO staff, etc. Take good quality activity pictures and submit them to the Reporting/Database Assistant and Protection Manager  Work together with the Training and Capacity Building Officer to build and strengthen the capacity of community-based structure and mechanism  Keep a record of all protection activities and attend regular program meetings  Carry out other tasks assigned by the supervisor  

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to : Protection and Rule Of Manager.

Indirect/Technical Reporting: protection manager

Position directly Supervises:  Protection assistant and community engagement assistant.

Key Internal Contacts:

Country Program: 

Region/Global: