Back Assistant Technical Officer, Protection

Position Title: Assistant Technical Officer - Protection (ATO-Protection)

Locations: Dikwa, Borno State

Overall Supervisor: Project Coordinator

Technical Supervisor: Senior Technical Officer- GBV/CP &PSS

1.Project Description:

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff include experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, and technology - creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories. As we evolve to meet the challenges of the future, we stand committed to the principles that have guided our organization for the last 40+ years. Our work continues to be grounded in research and science, strengthened by partnerships, and focused on building the capacity of individuals, communities, and countries to succeed.

FHI 360 has been working in Nigeria for over 30 years and has expanded its scope of coverage into humanitarian assistance with an aim to provide emergency services to populations affected by conflict in the Northeast, specifically in newly liberated areas.

In September 2024, the peak of the rainy season has triggered widespread flooding across Borno State, severely affecting several Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the state capital. Nearly 400,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been registered across 30 relocation sites after being evacuated from flood-hit areas in MMC, Jere, and Dikwa LGAs. The flooding has disrupted the livelihoods of the affected populations, leaving them unable to meet basic needs, thereby increasing their vulnerability.

According to the Borno State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) updates, the priority needs of the flood-affected populations include food assistance, potable water, WASH facilities, safe shelter but also protection services are needed to mitigate risks of GBV, support separated or unaccompanied children as well as psychosocial support services for children and individuals traumatized by the crisis.

FHI 360 is expecting funding from IOM to implement lifesaving WASH, Shelter and Protection services to flood-affected communities in Dikwa, MMC and Jere Local Government Authorities (LGAs) of Borno state, North-East Nigeria.

Under the Protection Sector, FHI 360 aims at improving the wellbeing of vulnerable individuals impacted by the floods by providing integrated gender-based violence (GBV), child protection, and psychosocial support services for IDPs and host communities.

In anticipation of the new project, FHI360 seeks two experienced Assistant Technical Officers – Protection (ATOs- Protection) to support its response to the flooding in MMC and Jere LGAs, Borno State.

2. Job Purpose:

Under the overall supervision of the Project Coordinator and technical supervision of the Senior Technical Officer – GBV & CP-PSS, the Assistant Technical Officer Protection will in day-to-day activities implement Gender- Based Violence (GBV), child protection (CP) and psychosocial support (PSS) prevention and response activities at the field sites including IDP camp and host communities within MMC, Jere LGAs.

3. Duties and responsibilities:

• Prepare and facilitate community entry meetings and meeting with the registration committee in the target location in the support /guidance of STOs and Protection Coordinator.
• Responsible for implementation of the overall GBV, CP & PSS response in the assigned location, including identification of unaccompanied and separated children and other children at risk, provision of reinsertion kits, distribution of dignity kits to vulnerable women and girls (who meet related criteria), individual and group counselling, psychological first aid, provision of PSS reintegration kits and other direct support to the beneficiaries in need.
• Provide confidential referral based on the best interest of the child to other CP service providers for family tracing and reunification (UASC) and other support to children at risk of violence, abuse, neglect, early marriage and exploitation; and do regular follow-up to ensure that all the cases adequately receiving needed support.
• Provide confidential and appropriate referrals of GBV cases to critical services including case management, accompany of survivors to services where appropriate and do all necessary follow- ups to ensure appropriate support services have been provided to the survivor.
• Provide appropriate referral of beneficiaries with critical psychological issues for specialized MHPSS and do necessary follow-up.
• Provide training, weekly coaching, on-the-job training and daily mentoring to community volunteers and community facilitators; perform all tasks related to their contracts in VMS.
• Contribute to the development of appropriate IEC materials on GBV, Child Protection and PSS for the target communities.
• Monitor quality of message dissemination by community volunteers and community facilitators by conducting joint awareness sessions (on GBV, child protection, PSS, human trafficking) together with the community volunteers and community facilitators.
• Oversee awareness campaigns in handy collaboration with other project sectors (WASH, Shelter), and various stakeholders (government authorities, local and religious leaders) especially during the celebration of Child Protection, GBV and PSS related special events.
• Serve as organizational liaison to external organizations working in GBG, CP and PSS at coordination meetings in the LGA as assigned.
• Liaise with other FHI 360 sectors; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and shelter) to ensure protection mainstreaming and oversee related sessions.
• Conduct protection service mapping and facilitate referral pathway meeting in the assigned location in the support and guidance of STOs.
• Work closely with ATO-MEL to ensure the accuracy of protection data and related tools ( e.g. registers ) are well kept.
• Develop weekly and monthly project report and share with STO- GBV/CP &PSS for review.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisors.

  4. Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

  • Extensive knowledge of GBV, Child protection and PSS and Counselling in crisis situations.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • At least 3-year experience in GBV, child protection and PSS prevention and response services in humanitarian context.
  • Proven experience in working with IDPs or refugees, returnees and host communities.
  • Proven experience in working with women, children and people with specific needs (older people and people with disabilities).
  • Experience in facilitating training and mentorship of local communities to support child protection, GBV and PSS activities.
  • Understanding Protection related coordination mechanisms in emergencies.
  • Excellent reporting writing skills.
  • Strong communication and negotiation skills.
  • Strong community mobilization skills.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • Understanding and commitment to child’s rights and child protection and GBV issues.
  • Excellent computer skills
  • Dynamic, pro-active, and self-motivated.
  • Ability to meet tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
  • Mandatory fluent in English and local languages – Hausa, Kanuri
  • Acts according to FHI360 values; uses ethical considerations to guide decisions.
  • Solid understanding of Safeguarding and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP).
  • Flexible, respectful, willing to cooperate with and support project stakeholders including colleagues, beneficiaries, local community, and local leaders.
  • Safeguarding of Children: FHI 360 is committed to protecting the dignity, rights and well-being of all children involved in its programs and activities around the world.

    5. Qualifications and Requirements:

    • BA/BSc in Social Work, Sociology, Social Sciences, Psychology, or a similar degree with at least 1-3 years relevant experience in GBV, child protection and PSS programming in humanitarian settings.
    • Extensive knowledge of GBV, CP, PSS in humanitarian context.
    • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
    • Proven experience in working with IDPs or refugees, returnees, and host communities.
    • Familiarity with Nigerian law enforcement systems and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable.

      Safeguarding:

      FHI 360 is committed to providing a safe environment for all employees, beneficiaries and anyone contracted by FHI 360. This includes taking measures to protect vulnerable people from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by either FHI 360 employees or associated personnel. FHI 360 abides by child safeguarding principles. FHI 360’s Safeguarding Policies apply and flow out to all FHI 360 staff, board members, volunteers, and partner staff (subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and subrecipients), regardless of the funding mechanism or amount of contract, agreement, or purchase order.

      This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

      FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

      Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

      FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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