|
Purpose
The Protection Officer is responsible for supporting the implementation of protection activities by conducting protection assessments, vulnerability screening, beneficiary identification, case referrals, community engagement, and protection monitoring. The position works closely with the legal team and community-based structures to facilitate access to legal and protection services while ensuring that interventions are delivered in accordance with protection principles, organisational policies, and donor requirements.
|
|
Key Responsibilities
Protection Programming
- Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of protection activities in accordance with approved project plans and organisational standards.
- Conduct protection screenings and vulnerability assessments to identify individuals requiring legal and protection services.
- Facilitate access to appropriate legal, protection, and referral services based on assessed needs.
- Serve as the complaint and response focal point at the assigned office, managing receipt, documentation, screening, referral, and follow-up of all incoming requests, complaints, and legal assistance needs.
- Monitor protection concerns and emerging risks affecting target communities and report findings to the Project Manager.
Case Identification and Referral
- Identify individuals requiring specialised legal or protection assistance through community engagement and field activities.
- Coordinate referrals between legal, protection, and other service providers in accordance with established referral pathways.
- Maintain appropriate follow-up of referred cases and document outcomes.
- Ensure confidentiality and informed consent throughout the referral process.
- Conduct vulnerability screening and assess individuals for Cash for Protection (CfP) eligibility criteria, referring qualifying cases in accordance with agreed referral procedures and project SOPs
Protection Monitoring and Community Engagement
- Coordinate and support protection monitoring activities, including household surveys, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and other approved assessment activities.
- Support collection, verification, and documentation of protection-related information to inform programme implementation.
- Identify protection trends, service gaps, and community concerns, and communicate findings through established reporting mechanisms.
- Maintain regular engagement with community representatives and relevant stakeholders to strengthen community-based protection approaches.
- Lead protection risk assessment exercises across assigned locations in collaboration with Community Mobilisers
- Ensure all protection monitoring activities comply with ethical data collection principles, Do No Harm, confidentiality, and safeguarding standards
Community Outreach and Awareness
- Support planning and implementation of community outreach activities, legal awareness sessions, and legal camps.
- Facilitate dissemination of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and project information within target communities.
- Promote awareness of available legal and protection services, referral pathways, and community feedback mechanisms.
- Support community mobilisation activities in collaboration with Community Mobilisers.
- Conduct project-specific orientation for Community Mobilisers and Outreach Volunteers on legal referral protocols, beneficiary identification criteria, and safe referral pathways
- Promote access to dedicated helplines through community outreach activities and the Outreach Volunteer network
Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation
- Maintain accurate records of protection activities, referrals, community engagement, and monitoring findings.
- Prepare activity reports, field visit reports, assessment summaries, and supporting documentation.
- Coordinate with the Information Management & Data Officer to ensure timely submission of quality data and project documentation.
- Contribute to project monitoring, reporting, and learning processes.
- Ensure all case records and protection monitoring data are maintained with full AGD disaggregation in the project case management system
Coordination and Collaboration
- Work closely with Lawyers, Community Mobilisers, and the Information Management & Data Officer to ensure coordinated service delivery.
- Participate in internal coordination meetings, case discussions, and planning sessions.
- Coordinate with local service providers, community structures, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen referral mechanisms and service accessibility.
Compliance, Safeguarding and Accountability
- Ensure all activities are implemented in accordance with organisational safeguarding, PSEAH, Child Protection, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), and Code of Conduct policies.
- Promote protection principles, confidentiality, non-discrimination, and a survivor-centred approach throughout programme implementation.
- Ensure community members are informed of available complaints and feedback mechanisms.
- Report safeguarding concerns and protection risks through established organisational procedures.
Other Duties
- Perform any other duties related to the position, as reasonably assigned by the Supervisor, in line with organisational policies and operational requirements.
|
|
Qualifications & Experience
- Preferably Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Development Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Law, Human Rights, or a related field.
- Minimum 2-4 years of relevant experience in protection programming, humanitarian response, community-based protection, case management, or related programmes.
- Experience managing CRM systems, case management databases, or humanitarian information platforms is an added value.
- Experience conducting community assessments, beneficiary screening, referrals, and protection monitoring.
- Experience working with vulnerable communities and humanitarian organisations will be considered an advantage.
- Knowledge of protection principles, referral mechanisms, safeguarding, and community engagement approaches.
- Fluency in both the languages; English/Urdu, required; Pashto and/or Dari an advantage.
|
