Protection Officer – Adamawa State Hope and Rural Aid Foundation (HARAF)

Uncategorized

In the wake of crisis and displacement, the most significant wounds are often those that are not visible. Protection work is the heart of humanitarian aid, ensuring that the safety, rights, and dignity of the most vulnerable—especially women, children, and the elderly—are upheld against the threats of exploitation and violence. By joining HARAF as a Protection Officer, you become a vital advocate for those whose voices are often silenced, helping to rebuild the social fabric of resilient communities in Northeast Nigeria.

Job Summary

The Protection Officer is a frontline role dedicated to the identification, prevention, and mitigation of protection risks among crisis-affected populations. You will lead community-based interventions, manage sensitive case referrals, and work to strengthen local protection structures to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all individuals.

Core Responsibilities

Monitoring & Risk Mitigation

  • Surveillance: Regularly identify and analyze protection threats facing displaced persons and host communities, focusing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), child protection, and general human rights violations.
  • Safety Audits: Conduct periodic protection monitoring visits to ensure that humanitarian services are delivered in a manner that promotes safety and dignity.

Case Management & Community Engagement

  • Supportive Intervention: Provide high-quality case management for individuals at risk, ensuring timely and secure referrals to specialized service providers in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Sensitization: Facilitate dynamic community awareness sessions to educate populations on their rights, available protection services, and the prevention of abuse and exploitation.
  • Empowering Local Structures: Collaborate with and mentor community-led protection committees and local leaders to foster sustainable, community-driven safety mechanisms.

Coordination & Accountability

  • Network Collaboration: Actively engage with inter-agency protection clusters and partners to ensure a comprehensive and non-duplicative response to identified needs.
  • Feedback Loops: Support the implementation and management of Complaint and Feedback Mechanisms (CFM), ensuring that community concerns are heard and addressed with accountability.
  • Information Integrity: Maintain strict confidentiality and follow data protection protocols when documenting survivor stories and protection data.
  • Strategic Reporting: Deliver accurate and timely analytical reports that reflect protection trends and the impact of field activities.

Candidate Profile: Qualifications & Experience

  • Education: A University Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Gender Studies, or a related field within the Social Sciences.
  • Professional History: 3 to 5 years of substantive experience in protection, social work, or broader humanitarian programming.
  • Field Expertise: Proven experience working directly with internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, or other high-risk populations.
  • Technical Knowledge: A deep understanding of the “survivor-centered approach,” child protection standards, and regional referral pathways.
  • Language Skills: Fluency in English (written and verbal) is required, alongside the ability to communicate fluently in local languages common to Adamawa State.

Essential Skills & Competencies

  • Interpersonal Mastery: Exceptional communication and facilitation skills, with a focus on empathy and active listening.
  • Ethical Professionalism: The ability to handle sensitive and traumatic information with the highest level of discretion and integrity.
  • Environmental Resilience: A strong willingness to work in remote, challenging, or resource-constrained field locations.
  • Reporting Excellence: The ability to translate field observations into clear, professional, and actionable data-driven reports.

Benefits & Compensation

  • Salary: Competitive (Aligned with NGO sector standards for mid-level protection professionals in Nigeria).
  • Impact: A chance to play a defining role in the recovery and protection of communities in the Northeast.
  • Professional Development: Gain experience in a mission-oriented organization with strong roots in rural humanitarian aid.

About the Organization

Hope and Rural Aid Foundation (HARAF) is a local humanitarian force dedicated to reaching the most isolated and underserved communities in Northeast Nigeria. Since our inception in 2011 and formal registration in 2016, we have focused on restoring hope where it is needed most. We specialize in providing comprehensive aid that addresses both immediate survival and long-term resilience for populations affected by conflict. Our team is driven by a commitment to transparency, rural empowerment, and the belief that every individual deserves to live a life free from fear and exploitation.

Application Details

  • Location: Adamawa State, Nigeria
  • Employment Type: Contract
  • Application Deadline: Rolling (Immediate application is highly encouraged)

How to Apply: Qualified professionals should submit their applications through the HARAF recruitment portal via the link below: Apply via HARAF Online Recruitment Form

Tips for Applicants

Protection is a “people-first” field. In your application, focus on demonstrating your emotional intelligence and your ability to work with survivors of trauma. Be sure to highlight specific experience with “Case Management” and “Referral Pathways,” as these are technical pillars for this role. HARAF is an equal opportunity employer; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.