Roving Community Base Protection Officer at INTERSOS Nigeria

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Roving Community Base Protection Officer

Location: Nigeria

General context of the project

• With over a decade of conflict, there have been devastating humanitarian consequences across North-East (Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states) and the North-West of Nigeria. According to the Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023, an estimated 8.3 million women, men, and children need some form of humanitarian and protection assistance.
• Over 2 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to persistent violence and remain internally displaced.
• Food insecurity and malnutrition are exacerbated by inflation, poverty, and restricted access due to insecurity, which impedes livelihood opportunities. Gender-based violence (GBV) has been a significant protection concern faced by IDP women and girls in the area. Numerous basic infrastructures, such as hospitals, clinics, and water supplies, are damaged, posing constraints on essential service provision.
• Epidemics like cholera arising from flooding and overcrowded settings put extra stress on the already vulnerable communities.

General Purpose of the Position

• The position holder Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, and with technical support and collaboration with the Program Protection Referent, the Community-Based Protection Officer will be responsible for the management and implementation of community-based protection activities across projects, including close monitoring and follow-up of activities, gathering of data and evidence-based information to inform program development and adaptation.
• The position will play a crucial role in supporting the roll out of INTERSOS Community-Based Protection Guidelines, guaranteeing adequate support and guidance to projects’ staff, reporting on quality and impact of community-based protection activities, and will be responsible for supervision of outreach workers and volunteers in the communities.

Responsibilties

• Plan, coordinate, supervise and manage community-based protection activities, in coordination with the Technical Manager - Protection, and in adherence to INTERSOS community-based protection guidelines, ensuring the step-by-step process is implemented according to its principles
• Ensure qualitative and timely planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of INTERSOS community-based protection activities in compliance with standards, tools and localization principles
• Lead protection risk analysis and community mapping exercises in the community, in line with INTERSOS community-based protection guidelines and protection analysis framework, to inform design and implementation of community-based protection process
• Conduct Asset Mapping in the community in order to map Community strengths, assets, resources and allies
• Participate in the recruitment of outreach workers/volunteers, build capacity on core protection principles and standards, and provide feedback on staff performance and areas for growth and professional development
• Provide supervision, technical guidance and support to outreach workers/volunteers, in the planning and implementation of participatory community activities, in the communication with communities in line with INTERSOS community-based protection guidelines
• Lead on development of capacity building material, as needed and requested by communities, ensuring they are context appropriate and in line with community plans
• Develop Awareness material based on local culture and traditions on topics identified through Protection Risk Analysis done with the community
• Review of data and information collected during the implementation of community-based protection activities and ensure timely development and submission of weekly, monthly, and
• quarterly reports and/or as requested
• Ensure community safe spaces like WGSS /CFS are run as per internal and international guidelines ensuring safety and security and community considerations are respected.
• Conduct and lead community dialogues, Gender discussions, Protection Awareness and Engaging with Men and Boys in the community with respect to Community culture and context.
• Work in close collaboration with Case worker team leaders to identify root causes of Protection issues and with Protection Monitoring Team leaders to analyze and understand whether the same risks seen in the community are highlighted in Protection Monitoring
• Lead the formation of Community Based Protection Networks / Committee’s and work with the Project Program Manager to build Capacity for them
• Identify and map existing community groups and CBOs and support the Project Manager in identifying the most suitable partnerships
• Ensure good relationships with partner CBOs and be responsible for their capacity building
• Serve as Focal point for CBOs and Community groups/ Committees on Community Led Initiatives and ensure the initiatives are delivered in accordance with the Protection principles and internal SOPs
• Provide regular technical feedback and advice to the Program Protection Referent, highlighting gaps, challenges, best practices and lessons learned of community-based protection activities to inform programming
• Conduct regular field monitoring of activities within communities, ensuring process is in line with agreed community partnerships
• Establish and maintain collaborative relations with relevant stakeholders working in targeted communities, and ensure linkages are made across existing community-based structures and others as needed to maximize impact
• Proactively participate in relevant working groups and coordination meetings related to community-based protection and promote INTERSOS positioning and values on working with communities on protection
• Establish feedback mechanisms with communities, ensuring participation and inclusion of all groups
• Ensure outreach workers/volunteers are trained on Safeguarding, PSEA and conduct regular refresher training as needed.

Education & Professional Requirements
Education:

• University Degree or HND in Social Sciences, Social Work, or any field related to Community Development.

Professional experience:

• Minimum of 4 years relevant working experience in the implementation of humanitarian protection activities
• Demonstrated experience in working with community structures, including community groups, committees, and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs).
• Experience in supervising outreach workers, volunteers etc.
• Proven experience in participatory approaches, community engagement, and protection mainstreaming.

Professional requirements:

• Clear understanding of localization principles and approaches, including do no harm, confidentiality, non-discrimination, accountability, safeguarding, and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
• Excellent reporting and writing skills
• Sound and proven understanding of applying protection principles and standards
• Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to humanitarian principles, gender equity and protection
• Experience with service mapping, referral systems, and coordination with service providers
• Experience in planning and facilitating participatory community activities, including dialogues, awareness sessions, and engagement with women, men, and youth
• Demonstrated experience in training, mentoring, and capacity building of outreach workers, volunteers, and community-based structures.

Personal requirements:

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work and integrate in a multicultural team.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to tailor style to suit a variety of audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage efficiently multiple priorities, deadlines and tasks.
• Solid time-management skills, resourcefulness and attention to details.
• Flexibility and adaptability; Ability to work under pressure.
• Initiative
• Strong analytical and practical problem-solving skills
• Decision making
• Leadership; Developing and motivating others
• Strategic thinking
• Driving and achieving results.
• Humanitarian motivation and commitment to INTERSOS values
• Respect for INTERSOS policies and procedures.

Languages:

• Proficiency in English (written and spoken)
• Knowledge and fluency in English and local languages (Hausa and Kanuri) will be an asset.

Application Closing Date
Friday, 27th March 2026 by 12:00 PM.

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

Note

• Interested candidates should complete the form and attach their CV with Cover Letter following this format “Surname_ Position you applied for”.
• ONLY applicants whose competencies meet the requirements of the position will be contacted.
• Please note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• INTERSOS reserves the right to close the advertisement before the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.
• INTERSOS is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups, and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• INTERSOS has a PSEA Policy that the successful candidate will be expected to comply with and promote.