Protection Assistant at COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale

COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in Milan in 1965. COOPI aims to help the world’s poorest to improve their access to healthcare, food, and financial security, and to overcome their special vulnerability to wars, civil conflicts, and natural disasters. For 50 years of long-term support and constant presence in the field, COOPI has been engaged in breaking the cycle of poverty and responding to specific emergencies in numerous sectors, including Food Security, Humanitarian Aid, Health, Socio-Economical Services, Water and Sanitation, Human Rights, Education and Training, Migrations and Sustainable Energy.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Protection Assistant

Location: Rabah LGA, Sokoto
Employment Type: Full-time
Report to: Child Protection Officer
Starting Date: ASAP
Supervised: Protection Sector Lead/Deputy Project Manager
Contract duration: 3 Months with possible extension. Working Condition: 100% Field Based.
Project / Programme: Integrated emergency response to the displaced population in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina States, NW Nigeria BHA (Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance)

Job Summary

• Public Health/Hygiene Promotion officer will ensure the quality Implementation of the Public Health Promotion and Non-Food Items distribution in the IDP Camps and communities under the BHA Project in Sokoto.
• He/she is overall responsible for implementing approved technical approaches to hygiene promotion, maintaining program quality, and that all hygiene objectives are met on time and within the budget.

Scope of the Vacancy
Child Protection (CP):

• The Protection Assistant will register, analyze the needs of children at risk, including Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASCs) in target LGAs of Sokoto state. She will design and the follow-up plan for each identified child and actively contribute in case management, collaborating with the other protection team members and with the Community Support Workers to deal directly with the beneficiaries in the targeted areas
• Collection of information needed to identify,
• Register, analyze the needs of children at risk, including Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASCs),
• With the support of Senior Protection Officer, design and the follow-up plan for each identified child and actively contribute in case management, collaborating with the other team members and with the Community Support Workers to deal directly with the beneficiaries in the targeted areas in the BHA USAID funded project in the consortium partnership with IRC, ALIMA and LHI.

Gender Based Violence (GBV/WPE) Job Overview / Summary

• The Protection Assistant will provide psychosocial support, basic case management support to survivors of gender-based violence through individual counselling follow up support, referrals, and dissemination of information on available GBV services to encourage access to services.
• She will in collaboration with the Response Officer oversee provision of psychosocial/group support, skills building, information sessions and other recreational activities that promotes social support networks and cohesion with women and girls at the women and girls’ centers/safe spaces.

Main Duties / Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Protection/GBV, she:

• Collects the information needed to identify, registers, analyzes the needs of any child at risk, including UASC;
• Designs the case plan for the identified child at risk;
• Conducts registration and case management activities as assigned by the Supervisor;
• Fills the standard forms of registration accurately for the case management and follow-up;
• Contributes in the success of the trainings for community leaders, also by accompanying them directly on the field;
• Joins actively the case management meetings and trainings to raise gaps and recommendations based on the daily work on the field;
• Supports the data-entry activities providing the proper information about each child at risk from the caseload;
• Communicates regularly with the Protection Assistant Supervisor for updates on achievements and challenges and any changes in the community’s social context and security status;
• Ensures that all documentation for Case management of Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASCs) and children at risk is conducted and filed according to required standards of data protection and confidentiality;
• Collects and documents success stories for reports;
• The Protection Assistant will conduct all steps of the Case Management processes for an assigned number of individuals, Neglect, Violence against UASC and their families in the process.
• To directly work with other Protection Assistants and service providers on management of Caseload and Referrals.
• With the support of Protection coordinator, adopts standard operating procedure (SOPs) for the Child Protection and case management system and data management protocols;
• Performs any other necessary action related to the position to achieve the objectives of the project and of COOPI in Nigeria if requested by the Team Leader
• Upholds COOPI’s mission and Charter of Values;
• Follows and enforces all COOPI codes of conduct and policies (globally and in-country);
• Participate in the field work of the nutrition survey (impact assessment)
• Perform any other action related with the position needed to achieve the objectives of the projects.

Major Responsibilities

• Provide direct support and care for adult and child survivors of gender-based violence, including counseling and basic case management. Case management services will include Assessment of needs of clients, developing an action plan with clients, Implementing the plan with clients.
• Provide physical accompaniment to GBV survivors if requested to access medical and other services according to their wishes, choices, and decisions.
• Conduct direct and regular follow up of GBV survivors through home visits and based on survivors wishes and consent.
• Case closure (when appropriate)
• Conduct direct follow up of GBV survivors through home visits and regular follow up visits based on survivors’ wishes and consent.
• Ensure proper documentation of reported GBV incidences through utilization of GBVIMS case intake, action, follow up and other case management forms appropriately.
• Follow GBV guiding principles of respect, confidentiality, and safety/security and non- discrimination while providing services to women and girls.
• Monitor how the GBV referral pathway is working through making direct follow ups with other organizations that are providing services to survivors.
• Conduct and help plan and organize psychosocial/ group support activities with women and adolescent girls to meet the emotional needs of survivors, build support networks among women/girls, and promote social integration of survivors and other vulnerable women.
• Work with women and girls in the community to identify their needs, interests and priorities, and where possible, adapt activities according to these to ensure activities offered are culturally appropriate and meet the needs of women and girls.
• Ensure that vulnerable women and girls including GBV survivors are engaged on psychosocial activities of their choice that will support their healing and recovery.
• In collaboration with the Community Mobilizers, conduct awareness raising activities on GBV and its health consequences, promoting available services to women and girls, and addressing the stigma preventing women and girls from accessing support and services with activities for female only group.
• In collaboration with the WPE team, participate in meetings with community leadership structures when necessary to advocate for the needs of women and girls, and encourage their participation in GBV prevention and response activities in the communities.

Protection Rule of Law (PROL):

• Responsible for the identification and civil documentation of adolescent boys and girls with no civil/legal documents.
• Mobilization of beneficiaries in IDP camps / project communities to access services
• Awareness raising and sensitization of beneficiaries of IDP camps / project communities on project implementation and deliverables
• Ensure synergy between the Protection sector and other COOPI sectorial activities in Sokoto in close coordination and consultation with other project staff.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity, capacity building and mainstream protection into all activities as appropriate.
• Supports the Protection Rule of Law Officer and Senior Protection Officer in managing the team at the field level.

Qualifications

• Candidate must be a graduate from a reputable institute and have at least 2 years working experience in Child Protection / GBV programming / General Protection.
• At least 2 years of field experience in Child Protection and GBV case management
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients is always essential.
• Positive and professional attitude, able to organise, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and be able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to work as a member of a team is essential.
• Excellent listening and observation skills, including the ability to create trust, support, respect and interact with survivors of all ages, backgrounds, and diversity.
• Counselling and training experience, including experience working with women and girls, is preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s empowerment and protection through current/ previous volunteer work in women’s groups, girls’ clubs, or other relevant experience is an added advantage.
• Ability to facilitate trainings and sessions, including group support activities with women and girls.
• Ability to communicate in English, Kanuri, Hausa and or local dialects spoken in the location.
• The ability to keep records and write simple and basic reports of activities would be an added advantage.
• A minimum of a university Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Health, or equivalent is a requirement.
• Must be a Rabah community-based and a TEAM PLAYER.
• Females are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Closing Date
30th May, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Application Letter and updated CV to: recruitment.nigeria@coopi.org using "Protection Assistant - Rabah, Sokoto" as the subject of the mail.

Note

• Applications shall be reviewed on a rolling basis, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.