Protection Officer at Save The Slum Initiative

Save the Slum Initiative is a non-governmental organization with registration CAC/IT/NO 139240, STSI was founded in 2016 and is committed to responding to current needs to improve the life of people living in slums and local communities across Nigeria. STSI envisions improving the living standards of vulnerable persons and communities and our overall aim is to work with urban poor to bring about long-term and sustainable transformation to their quality of life and to also provide better community-based healthcare and empowerment education and environmental improvement to all communities that will serve.

We intervene in various sectors like WASH, Education, Protection, Nutrition, Health, and Livelihood of humanitarian sectors and community development projects. Since its inception in 2016, STSI have implemented in over 16 States in Nigeria and other African States.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Protection Officer

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Contract
Position Duration: 6 months (renewable based on performance and funding)

Position Summary

• The Protection Officer is responsible for ensuring the safety, dignity, and rights of crisis-affected populations through comprehensive protection programming, monitoring, case management, and advocacy.
• This role involves direct service provision to vulnerable individuals and communities while promoting protection mainstreaming across all humanitarian interventions in emergency and post-crisis settings.

Key Responsibilities
Protection Programming and Implementation (40%):

• Design, implement, and monitor comprehensive protection programs incorporating age, gender, and diversity (AGD) considerations
• Conduct systematic protection monitoring and analysis to identify risks, violations, and protection needs
• Develop and implement community-based protection strategies and interventions
• Ensure compliance with international humanitarian law, human rights law, and refugee protection standards
• Prepare detailed protection assessments, reports, and recommendations for management and partners

Case Management and Direct Services (25%):

• Manage individual protection cases including gender-based violence (GBV), child protection, and trafficking cases
• Conduct initial needs assessments with beneficiaries and develop comprehensive case management plans
• Provide individual and group counseling support to persons of concern
• Facilitate access to legal assistance, documentation, and essential services
• Maintain confidential case files and databases in compliance with data protection standards
• Monitor case outcomes and provide regular follow-up support

Coordination and Partnership Management (20%):

• Represent the organization in protection cluster meetings and humanitarian coordination forums
• Coordinate protection activities with government authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and community organizations
• Lead or participate in joint protection initiatives and inter-agency working groups
• Facilitate information sharing and best practice exchange among protection actors
• Support capacity building initiatives for local partners and government counterparts

Advocacy and Policy Engagement (10%):

• Conduct strategic advocacy with authorities and stakeholders to address protection violations
• Represent organizational positions in policy discussions and technical meetings
• Document and report protection incidents for advocacy and evidence-based programming
• Promote implementation of protection standards and accountability mechanisms
• Engage in public awareness campaigns on protection issues

Protection Mainstreaming and Technical Support (5%):

• Provide technical guidance to program teams on protection mainstreaming principles
• Ensure all humanitarian activities prioritize safety, dignity, and meaningful access while avoiding harm
• Train staff and partners on protection standards and "do no harm" approaches
• Develop protection-sensitive programming guidelines and tools

Essential Qualifications
Education:

• Required: Bachelor's degree in Law, International Law, Political Science, International Relations, Social Work, Psychology, or related field
• Preferred: Master's degree in International Refugee Law, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, or related field

Experience:

• Minimum: 3-5 years of relevant experience in protection activities, case management, or humanitarian programming
• Field experience in humanitarian settings with direct work with displaced populations
• Demonstrated experience in protection monitoring, case management, and counseling
• Experience with project cycle management and program implementation
• Previous experience working in multicultural, international environments

Technical Skills:

• Deep understanding of international protection principles and standards
• Knowledge of human rights frameworks and issues surrounding violence against civilians
• Experience with protection mainstreaming concepts and implementation
• Proficiency in case management systems and protection information management
• Strong analytical and report writing skills

Language Requirements:

• Required: Fluency in English (written and spoken), Hausa and Kanuri.
• Preferred: Working knowledge of local language(s) or other UN languages (French, Spanish, Arabic)

Required Competencies:
Technical Competencies:

• Protection case management and counseling techniques
• Protection monitoring and data collection methodologies
• Understanding of trauma-informed approaches and psychological first aid
• Knowledge of legal frameworks for refugee protection and human rights
• Familiarity with humanitarian standards and accountability mechanisms

Behavioral Competencies:

• Cultural Sensitivity: Ability to work effectively in diverse, multicultural environments
• Confidentiality: Strict adherence to confidentiality and ethical standards in case management
• Resilience: Ability to work under pressure in challenging and potentially traumatic situations
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with beneficiaries and stakeholders
• Adaptability: Flexibility to work in rapidly changing humanitarian contexts

Leadership and Management:

• Ability to supervise and mentor junior staff and volunteers
• Strong coordination and relationship management skills
• Capacity to represent the organization professionally in external forums
• Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities

Working Conditions:
Physical Demands:

• Regular travel to field locations and communities
• Ability to work in basic field conditions with limited infrastructure
• Physical ability to conduct field visits and community meetings

Work Environment:

• Deployment to challenging, insecure, or post-conflict settings
• Exposure to traumatic situations and protection violations
• Work under pressure with competing priorities and tight deadlines
• Potential for non-family duty stations in high-risk locations

Schedule:

• Full-time position with potential for extended hours during emergencies
• Availability for weekend and evening work as required by operational needs
• Flexibility for emergency response deployments.

Application Closing Date
10th October, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Save The Slum Initiative is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• We encourage applications from qualified candidates regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or nationality.
• Our organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse and requires all staff to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct.