Protection Officer

Title:                 Protection Officer

Reports to:        Gender and Protection Coordinator

Location:         Beirut

Travel:             Frequent travel between project sites within Lebanon

For over 100 years, NEF has worked to build more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through education, governance, and economic development initiatives. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF currently operates in nine countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Senegal, Syria, South Sudan, and Sudan. Its programs are organized around three themes: Inclusive Economic Development, Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, and Peacebuilding.

Position Description:

The Protection Officer has the responsibility to ensure Gender and Protection mainstreaming in all activities under NEF Lebanon’s livelihoods projects, to coordinate the implementation of protection-based livelihoods activities and to ensure that MHPSS activities are delivered. Project activities aim to reduce household economic vulnerability and reliance on harmful coping strategies by increasing access to livelihoods combined with MHPSS services to help participants manage psychosocial distress and develop positive coping strategies.

The role will mainly require the postholder to: (a) Strengthen Protection and Gender mainstreaming throughout all the phases of the project; (b) Assist in enhancing the protection capacity of partners through protection training, mainstreaming and related activities ;(c) Contribute to development of the current referral tools and pathways, (d) Ensure to update the service mapping on a regular basis,(e) Support the Coordination of  the implementation of the MHPSS services including PSS and case management services in coordination with the focal points in partners’ organizations.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Gender and Protection coordinator, the protection Officer has the following specific responsibilities:

Implementation, Monitoring, and Oversight:

• Ensure protection mainstreaming and disability inclusion in all components and activities through regular field monitoring, collaboration with staff, assistance in capacity building of partners, etc.
• Maintain a robust and up-to-date referral system to receive and respond to protection cases in field locations; Maintain an up-to-date mapping of services and foster linkages with service providers; while maintaining a complete record (using Rims) of all referred cases’ details and actions taken
• Assist the proper implementation of the MHPSS and case management activities through regular technical follow-up and coordination with the implementing partner staff.
• In coordination with the Gender and Protection Coordinator, ensure smooth implementation of protection-related activities against targets.
• Manage, track, and follow up on the referrals received from NEF field offices through the available ‎referral platforms.
• Contribute with the Protection Coordinator, MEAL team and field staff in the development and implementation analysis to a deepened understanding of protection and gender issues.
• Participate in the dissemination of the lessons learned from the protection and gender interventions with all staff of NEF and their integration into current and planned programs.

Training/Guidance/Capacity Building:

• Deliver relevant protection, on safe identification and referrals, gender, MHPSS, and case management training to NEF staff and CBO teams;
• Provide team and individual guidance and technical capacity through training, operational planning, daily interaction, regular team meetings, and learning and reflection events to implement gender, GBV, and protection effectively and efficiently into project activities.
• Engage trained staff and volunteers in the job mentoring and supervision
• Provide Protection, Gender, GBV and PSEA technical guidance according to NEF’s policies, Gender approach and global humanitarian standards.
• Assist on providing technical support for the partners on MHPSS activities through Field Visits and coordination process.

Program Development & Strategic Planning:

• Contribute with the Gender and Protection Coordinator in the development of gender and protection strategies, SoPs, guidelines, and frameworks.
• Compile field-generated information and provide inputs to reports in a timely manner and in compliance with HQ and donor requirements;
• Identify and draft relevant impact and success stories related to protection mainstreaming and gender inclusion;
• Ensure proper documentation and data protection of vulnerable cases received and handled by protection focal points;
• Prepare, develop, and implement regular reports, analysis, and assessments related to protection;
• Develop internal and external monthly and quarterly protection reports.
• Propose improvements of the Protection Tools as needed.
• Support field assessments and research as required to identify new areas of intervention.

Reporting & Documentation:

• Provide relevant data to and cooperates with M&E team for reporting.
• Ensure proper documentation and data protection of vulnerable cases.
• Prepare, develop, and implement regular reports, analysis, and assessments related to protection.

Basic Qualifications:

• University degree in social work, Psychology, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of previous relevant job experience.
• Experience in Protection activities, humanitarian aid, Refugee context, reporting data, referring cases.
• Good Knowledge of MHPSS interventions, including case management and Focused PSS.
• Understanding of MHPSS identification, referral, and response systems.
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong internal relationships and networks.

NEF will accept rolling applications until the position is filled. The review of applications will begin on Monday, November 07, 2022. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

**To apply:**‎

Please apply by submitting the following documents:

1. ‎Cover letter outlining relevant experience and skills based on the requirements outlined above.‎
2. ‎Curriculum Vitae;‎
3. ‎List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer).‎

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by ‎visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org.‎

The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and ‎NEF employees.‎

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.‎

Pre-employment Checks:

Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks prior to the start date:‎

1. A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening.‎
2. Receipt of satisfactory references.‎
3. Proof of eligibility to work in the national location for this role.