International Protection Officer

Job Title:                                           International Protection Officer

Function:                                          Programme Implementation

Job Group:                                        Programme

Duty Station:                                    Various

Administrative Line Manager:        Team Leader

Technical Line Manager:                 Team Leader

Line Management Responsibility:  N/A

ABOUT US

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organisation. We work to reduce violence and protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath. NP implements programming through the deployment of civilian protection teams to the field. NP is continuing to scale up to meet the growing needs in the communities we serve. In South Sudan, NP has a mobile protection response team and 11 field teams providing emergency protection programme for communities affected by violent conflict. Programming is founded on unarmed civilian protection and is thematically focused on protection in displacement, child protection, gender-based violence protection and inter-communal violence reduction.

JOB PURPOSE

To implement civilian protection and violence-prevention programming for those affected by the crisis/violent conflict in South Sudan.

ABOUT YOU

You are an experienced Protection Officer who will implement community-based violence reduction and prevention programming in various locations in South Sudan, in the context of an ongoing civil conflict and extremely high levels of displacement. You will be a person with a genuine commitment to working at the community level, to promote Human rights someone who is skilled at building trusting relationships in an extremely polarized political climate. You are not deterred by the complexity of conflict; you are able to analyse conflict dynamics; you are motivated and unendingly persistent in finding and implementing protection and prevention strategies. You will be responsible for working together with other international and national colleagues to directly implement the project and to participate in reporting and documentation. You are comfortable living and working in a remote, physically demanding environment, living full-time in a shared compound environment while enjoying a simple diet.

The successful candidate will have previous NP experience. They combine creativity, innovation and demonstrated knowledge of protection, conflict prevention and peacebuilding. They are experienced and skilled at converting protection, violence reduction and conflict analysis theory into practical, locally appropriate solutions that effectively increase safety and security of civilians affected by violent conflict. They have excellent interpersonal skills and a flair for connecting and building trust with people from various backgrounds. They are solutions focused, strategic and driven by a keen interest and personal commitment to civilian protection.

KEY OBJECTIVES/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide protective presence and accompaniment to vulnerable groups and persons with specific needs, focusing on improving child protection and combating gender-based violence.
• Assess security risks and implement mitigation strategies for both host and IDP communities.
• Continuously monitor conflict situations in order to track conflict trends and identify protection needs.
• Work and live within conflict-affected communities to build trust, establish deep contextual understanding and effect nonpartisan position
• Design and implement protection interventions appropriate to the context and need within the parameters of mandate and projects
• Identify and flag communities or individuals in need of specialised support services, maintain updated referral pathways, ensure effective dissemination of information
• Establish and support community protection mechanisms, provide technical skills training in conflict analysis, nonviolent conflict resolution and community-based protection strategies
• Facilitate active participation and leadership of women in community peace and security strategies
• Monitor all protection issues and coordinate with concerned local authorities and NGOs to ensure that relevant protection partners are fully informed on the situation in the region;
• Facilitate communications and relationships between communities in conflict, providing proactive engagement to mitigate potential conflict including facilitated dialogue, shuttle diplomacy and the development of specific implementable agreements

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

Education, Knowledge and Experience

• 3 -5 years of work experience in human security, child or civilian protection.
• Demonstrated successful experience in working in complex security environments
• Demonstrated experience working with state authorities, negotiation and mediation
• Demonstrated ability to live, work and solve problems independently and effectively in remote, highly challenging locations
• Demonstrated ability to analyse conflict, security and political contexts
• Post-secondary education in law, human rights, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, negotiation, mediation, human security or related, or equivalent experience

Skills

Independent Judgment/Analytical:

• Ability to set priorities, solve problems and analyse data
• Ability to manage information with discretion
• Demonstrable conflict analysis skills, identify entry points and design prevention and protection strategies

Interpersonal:

• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and motivate and provide leadership to the team and to work and live in a multi-cultural environment
• Solutions-focused, creative problem solver
• Proven ability to build relationships with the full range of actors including government, chiefs, military, police and non-state actors
• Genuine commitment and interest in living and working at the community level
• Flexibility and adaptability

English Language:

• Ability to interact confidently in English with colleagues and external contacts, to write documents and reports, and to present effectively relevant information

Information Technology:

• Good skills in Microsoft Office applications.

Other Specialized Requirements

• This posting can be physically demanding. Some teams work in remote areas, live in tents, and during field visits there is limited access to electricity or running water.  Many of the field visits will require driving through rough terrain or walking long distances.
• This field site is a complex security environment where conditions change rapidly – experience in insecure environments is essential to success in this position.

HOW TO APPLY

• Priority will be given to current and former NP employees in good standing

• Candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a CV (max. 2 pages) and cover letter (max. 1 page). Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• The closing date for applications is Thursday, 4 May 2023

• This is an urgent post. Candidates may likely be selected before the closing date, apply early

• As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment before participating in an interview.

• Kindly Include your Referees on your CV. This should be two previous line managers and an HR reference

SPECIAL NOTICE

Nonviolent Peaceforce is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff at all levels. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. However, all qualified applicants regardless of their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, or age, will be considered for this opportunity.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, people in communities we serve, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice in the Humanitarian and Development sector.

NO FEE

PLEASE BEWARE OF FRAUDULENT JOB OFFERS. NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR ASK FOR FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (INCLUDING APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, MEETING, TRAVELING, PROCESSING TRAINING, ETC). NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE WILL NOT REQUEST INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.