Protection Officer in FHI 360

Length of contract:  until 31 March 2026 with possibility of extension

FHI 360 is a US-based NGO dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions.  FHI 360’s Crisis Response team is responding to the humanitarian emergency in Ukraine through an integrated health, protection, MHPSS, and WASH program focused on decreasing morbidity and mortality among the conflict-affected population.  For more details, visit our website: www.fhi360.org  

Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer, the Protection Officer will be responsible for leading the implementation of protection activities, including but not limited to GBV and PSEA prevention and response activities in the eastern or southern regions.   S/he will support implementation of the protection component of the FHI 360 Crisis Response portfolio during the program cycle, starting from assessing the needs to identify the locations and to design the activities, and then to contributing to the evaluation process and submitting recommendations on the program changes. S/he will ensure that the activities are implemented as per the workplan under the direction of the Field Coordinator and technical lead, meeting the best technical standards and practices for protection, GBV, gender and PSEA mainstreaming. 

Accountabilities:

• Supervise the process of assessing protection needs activities, including but not limited to the prevention and response to GBV and SEA prevention, and response needs in the eastern and southern regions, compile the findings, and submit the Senior Protection Officer's recommendations on the most underserved locations for interventions. 
• Design the interventions modality, based on the identified needs and the context specifics, assign responsibilities to mobile teams which include psychologists, social workers, legal consultants and other staff members.
• Develop the intervention plan. Ensure the implementation of protection activities, including but not limited to mobile protection teams, namely identifying locations for interventions, participating in the management of the identified locations together with Protection Monitors, and being responsible for the schedule of protection mobile teams.
• Engage with the relevant state institutions and other stakeholders.
• Supervise implementation of Protection, GBV and SEA prevention and response activities in the eastern and southern regions, including but not limited to holding training, raising awareness sessions, distributing IEC materials, disseminating messages on available services for GBV and CRV survivors, and supervision and implementation of case management etc.   
• Ensure accurate referrals to available services if the requested support exceeds FHI 360's capacity. 
• Supervise the process of dignity kits distribution and reporting in accordance with relevant SOPs. 
• Contribute to managing budget and logistics of Protection, GBV and PSEA prevention and response activities in coordination with financial and logistic colleagues. 
• Contribute to developing monitoring and evaluation plan in coordination with MEAL colleagues. 
• Coordinate with colleagues from other sectors to ensure positive synergies.
• Ensure that members of the mobile team or other employees have the conditions and opportunities to undergo training (workshops, advanced training, etc.) to strengthen their professional capacities.
• Prepare regular reports on the activities of protection programs. Prepare reports on activities, including but not limited to the area of prevention and response to GBV and PSEA.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Senior Protection Officer, Field Coordinator, and/or Protection Program Manager.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Solid knowledge of the Ukrainian crisis context, understanding gaps in protection, including GBV response and appropriate mechanisms to cover them.
• Knowledge of the main types and causes of GBV, including intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence. Understand the consequences of GBV, especially IPV and sexual violence, for survivors.
• Apply GBV guiding principles to ensure survivor-centered support. Understand the limits of confidentiality and the importance of informed consent when working with survivors.
• Know the tools and processes required for service mapping, documenting the case management, information management, data protection, information sharing, and working with others in case management. Data protection protocols and the information management database.
• Understand: the main principles and approaches to protection programming; that protection is a sector in its own right; linkages with other sectors.
• Recognise whether a person is at heightened risk of a rights violation, including what type of rights violation and be able to determine the risk level of the case accurately.
• Ability to oversee concurrent tasks and follow on the implementation of activities and adapt planning as needed.
• Strong interpersonal skills, commitment to professional ethics principles, open-mindedness, flexibility in problem solving and adaptability to the changes. 
• Detailed knowledge of the crisis situation in Ukraine, understanding of the gaps in social protection, including the response to GBV, and appropriate mechanisms to fill these gaps.
• Knowledge of and compliance with Safeguarding policies, principles and methods of working and the basic roles and responsibilities of agencies involved with Safeguarding
• Operate in compliance with accountability principles and codes of conduct, show respect for beneficiaries, take responsibilities for actions and honour commitments, ensure openness and transparency.
• Able to work in a multi-cultural environment, and Work effectively with peoplefrom all backgrounds, avoid stereotypical responses by examining own behaviors and bias, show an openness and interest in learning about cultures. Act in a non-discriminatory way.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Exercises judgment within broadly defined practices and policies to select methods and techniques to obtain results.
• Quickly detect errors and work with the relevant staff to ensure minimal disruption or expense to correct.
• Find creative solutions and show initiative, examine difficult issues from different perspectives.
• Work with colleagues to contribute to team development; respect others’ opinions; promote their skills with joint action; give and receive constructive feedback.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Regularly interacts with staff of all levels
• Works closely with program staff, technical leads, MEAL, logistics, and security

Education: 

• University degree or equivalent in law, gender, psychology, social sciences, social work, or related discipline.

Experience: 

• 2-5 years of professional experience in social or humanitarian programs, preferably working with women and girls on protection or women’s rights-related issues. 
• Experience in service provision for vulnerable Ukrainian groups, especially women and girls
• Experience in developing and delivering training as well as raising awareness. 
• Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders 
• Fluent in Ukrainian and proficient in English, both written and oral

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift 5 - 50 lbs.
• Ability to travel to remote field site locations that lack basic essentials. 

Technology to be Used:

• Computer, Microsoft Office 365 (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, e-mail), office telephone, cell phone and printer/copier.

Travel Requirements:

25% 

This job description 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. management skills. 

 Please apply via the link above on the vacancy website or email your CV and Cover letter to [email protected] with "Protection Officer, Dnipro" in the subject line. 

Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply.