Protection Assistant at Premiere Urgence Internationale (PUI)

Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and non-religious international aid organization. Our teams are committed to supporting civilians’ victims of marginalization and exclusion, or hit by natural disasters, wars and economic collapses, by answering their fundamental needs. Our aim is to provide emergency relief to uprooted people to help them recover their dignity and regain self-sufficiency. PUI has been operating in Nigeria since 2016, initially establishing its presence in Borno State with a field office in Maiduguri.

Over the years, PUI has expanded its humanitarian response to deep-field locations, including Monguno and Pulka, and more recently to Katsina State in Northwest Nigeria. In Borno State, PUI has been a key actor in health, nutrition, protection, and psychosocial support. It supports health facilities in Maiduguri, Monguno, and Pulka, providing primary healthcare services, sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and the management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), both with and without complications, through Stabilization Centers. These interventions are integrated with specialized Gender-Based Violence (GBV) services and psychosocial support.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Protection Assistant

Location: Pulka, Gwoza LGA - Borno
Employment Type: Contract

Overall Mission

• Under the direct supervision of the Protection Officer, the Protection Assistant will support the implementation of protection activities at field level, ensuring that services are delivered in a safe, dignified, and inclusive manner.
• S/he will contribute to protection monitoring, information provision, referrals, and strengthening community-based protection mechanisms, while supporting community engagement and ensuring accountability to affected populations.
• The Protection Assistant plays a key role in maintaining regular contact with communities, identifying protection risks, and ensuring timely response through referrals and coordination with relevant actors.

Responsibilities and Task
Program Implementation & Quality

• Support the implementation of protection activities in line with PUI standards and protection principles.
• Conduct protection monitoring activities including household visits, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), safety audits, and service mapping.
• Identify and report protection risks, trends, and incidents to the Protection Officer in a timely manner.
• Support the functioning of protection helpdesks at health and nutrition facilities, including:
  • Providing accurate information on available services
  • Conducting basic protection screening
  • Referring individuals to appropriate services
• Deliver information sessions and awareness-raising activities on protection topics (GBV, child protection, available services, rights, etc.).
• Support group-based protection activities, including life skills and community engagement sessions, under the supervision of the Protection Officer and Supervisor.
• Assist in organizing community meetings, dialogues, and outreach activities.
• Ensure beneficiaries interacting with the helpdesk are informed of their right to provide feedback and raise complaints safely and confidentially.

Referrals & Case Support

• Identify individuals with protection needs and facilitate safe, confidential referrals to internal and external service providers.
• Ensure referrals follow agreed SOPs and respect confidentiality and data protection principles.
• Conduct basic follow-up on referrals to ensure services are accessed (without engaging in case management unless trained/assigned).
• Maintain updated knowledge of available services and referral pathways in the area.
• Coordinate with health, nutrition, and other sector teams to ensure integrated support to beneficiaries.

Community-Based Protection & Engagement

• Support the establishment and strengthening of Community-Based Protection Networks (CBPNs) and other community structures.
• Work closely with community leaders, volunteers, and women-led groups to identify protection concerns and solutions.
• Facilitate regular engagement with communities to promote participation and feedback.
• Support community-based protection initiatives and action plans.
• Contribute to building trust and acceptance of PUI within communities.

Data Collection, Reporting & Documentation:

• Collect and record data from protection activities using approved tools (paper or digital such as Kobo).
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of data collection and reporting.
• Maintain confidential and secure documentation of protection cases and referrals.
• Contribute to weekly and monthly activity reports.
• Report protection incidents or urgent concerns immediately to the Protection Officer and Supervisor.
• Log and track all helpdesk inquiries, complaints, and feedback received, and escalate unresolved or sensitive issues to the Protection Officer in a timely manner.
• Coordinate with the MEAL team to ensure feedback and complaints received through the helpdesk are properly recorded in the FCRM and followed up on according to PUI's accountability standards.

Protection Mainstreaaming & Safe Programming:

• Support the integration of protection principles in all activities at field level.
• Identify and report protection risks related to service delivery.
• Promote safe, inclusive, and accessible services for vulnerable groups.
• Support other sector teams in identifying and referring protection concerns.

Internal & External Representation:

• Maintain good relationships with community leaders, service providers, and stakeholders.
• Represent PUI appropriately during field activities.
• Coordinate with other PUI departments to ensure integrated service delivery.

Logistic & Administration

• Support logistical preparation of activities (materials, venue, participants).
• Ensure proper use and maintenance of tools (e.g. tablets, forms).
• Report needs and challenges to the Protection Officer.
• The tasks and responsibilities defined in this job description are non-exhaustive and can evolve depending on the project’s needs

Priorities of the Department:

• Strengthen the community outreach network and community-based protection structures, including CBPNs and women-led groups.
• Ensure a continuous grasp on population needs and vulnerabilities through systematic protection monitoring and analysis, and strengthen PUI's reactivity to emerging humanitarian needs.
• Ensure safe, dignified, and integrated service delivery, including quality GBV case management, individual protection assistance, and survivor-centered care across all modalities.
• Strengthen internal and external referral mechanisms to ensure timely, safe, and appropriate access to multi-sector services.
• Ensure effective helpdesk services and community feedback and accountability systems across all bases.
• Strengthen adolescent girls and boys programming, including structured prevention approaches, safe space programming, and life skills interventions.
• Promote household-level protection interventions to identify and respond to vulnerabilities at the household and family unit level.
• Advance social and behaviour change approaches targeting men, boys, community leaders, and key influencers to address the root causes of GBV and protection risks

Mandatory Requirements

• Language skills: Fluent in English and Hausa, and good knowledge of any Gwoza dialect is an asset
• Education Degree: At least a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Political Science, Law, Psychology, Social Work, International Development, or a related field.
• Work experience: At least 1-2 years of relevant experience in protection, human rights, or in related fields.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Basic understanding of protection principles and community-based approaches
• Experience in community outreach, awareness raising, or data collection
• Familiarity with protection monitoring tools (FGDs, KIIs, household assessments, individual incident safety assessment)
• Understanding of referral pathways and confidentiality principles
• Basic knowledge of GBV guiding principles (desirable)
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse communities
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team

Computer Skills:

• Good proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Familiarity with data collection tools (e.g. Kobo, CommCare)

Assets:

• Knowledge of Hausa and/or Kanuri.
• Experience working with community structures or volunteers
• Knowledge of local context and humanitarian setting
• Experience working with NGOs/INGOs
• Familiarity with protection monitoring or community-based protection
• Transversals skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work under pressure and in challenging environments
• Organizational and time-management skills
• Integrity, confidentiality, and respect for ethical standards
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Teamwork and collaboration

Application Closing Date
9th August, 2026.

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