NRC has been present in Nigeria since 2015 and has been working to help displacement-affected communities meet their basic needs, improve their livelihoods, access essential services, and enhance their resilience to future shocks through our six core competencies: water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), Shelter, Education, Information-Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS), Camp Management, and Protection. NRC provides immediate assistance during the onset of emergencies through the rapid response mechanism (RRM). With a workforce of 370 staff and a presence in key locations such as Maiduguri (in Borno State), Yola (in Adamawa State) and Jos (in Plateau State), NRC can respond to the needs of those affected by the conflict across North-East, and North Central Nigeria.

These strategic locations have allowed NRC greater reach from the north and south parts of the North-East and North Central region and allowed NRC to contribute to bridging the gap between humanitarian aid and development cooperation, including by focusing on equitable access to basic services and strengthening the rights of displaced people and returnees. In addition to the Country Office and the above-mentioned Area Offices, NRC has sub-office structures in Dikwa, Monguno, Biu, Mubi, Pulka and Gwoza.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee.

If you are those people, the Norwegian Refugee Council in Nigeria is looking for an enthusiastic and passionate Protection From Violence Officer to join our team in Mafa, Borno State. You will provide day-to-day support to program and support teams in Return, Host, and IDP communities to identify and address protection gaps.

Generic Responsibilities

1. Implement NRC’s protection policy in the field and promote the usage of internal protection SOPs and guidelines.
2. Contribute to the achievement of Protection program outcomes in designated areas by promoting protection for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other conflict-affected communities, including women, children, vulnerable individuals, and persons with special protection needs. Liaise with relevant stakeholders internally and externally.
3. Ensure that protection is an integral part of program activities.
4. Support and advise staff on protection mainstreaming in collaboration with the Protection Coordinator.
5. Produce data collection, reports, and analysis on Protection as required.
6. Represent NRC alongside the Protection Coordinator in field-level protection meetings and coordination with relevant partners.
7. Promote and share ideas for technical improvement.

Specific responsibilities 

. Provide day-to-day support to program and support teams in Return, Host, and IDP communities to                      identify and address protection gaps. Regularly review NRC Vulnerability and Targeting criteria.

• Conduct regular visits to assigned field locations and collect information using NRC procedures and forms.
• Flag any immediate protection risks observed during protection field visits to the Protection Manager.
• Ensure that the space for focus groups is comfortable and appropriate for the group in question. Ensure privacy for key informant interviews.
• Proactively engage with program teams in the field to ensure that safe programming tools are up to date and relevant to their needs. This includes designing and implementing the NRC referral pathway.
• Enter information on all referrals into the Referral matrix and contribute to data analysis as appropriate, adhering to confidentiality and safety principles.
• Support program safe programming initiatives and ensure that protection Risk Assessments are integrated into all NRC Multi-sectoral assessments, in collaboration with the Protection Coordinator.
• Contribute to the design and planning of relevant trainings and awareness raising sessions for NRC staff, community members, LNGOs, and duty bearers.
• Build the capacity of NRC program and support teams on protection safe programming through regular awareness raising sessions, inductions, and follow-up on Core Protection training.
• Identify information needs of IDPs through visits to IDP camps, IDP interviews, and focus group discussions.

Generic professional competencies for this position: 

• University Degree in a relevant discipline (Law, Political Science, Social Science, Psychology, or any other relevant education profile
• Experience working in a protection role in emergency or protracted crisis settings.
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities.
• Proficiency in English and Hausa.
• Strong communication, coordination, and representational skills.

Context/specific skills, knowledge, and experience:

Contextual knowledge of northeast Nigeria (Borno State) preferred.

What’s in it for you? 

Join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility:

At NRC we think creatively. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Learn on the job: NRC’s collaborative working style favours the exchange of good practice and lessons learnt. At NRC, employees learn on the job and are encouraged to look for opportunities to develop new competencies. NRC managers prioritise the quality work and the competency development of their staff. This entails giving newcomers a good start, following up, training and mentoring employees to allow them to perform well in their current job, and offering learning and development programmes.

Additional Information: 

Duty Stations: Mafa, Borno State Nigeria

Duration of contract: 4 months (Renewable).

Grade Level:  Grade 5 in NRC’s grading structure

Reporting line:  Field Coordinator

This position is open to Nigeria Nationals only. We invite applications from all qualified and interested candidates. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications may be screened prior to the vacancy deadline. Female candidates are strongly advised to apply.