Gender and Protection Officer at Action Against Hunger | ACF-International

Location: Sokoto, Nigeria

Sector: Humanitarian & Development (Protection, SRHR, Gender Equality)

Organization: Action Against Hunger (ACF)

Application Deadline: December 29, 2025

Why This Role Matters

In regions recovering from conflict, the barriers to healthcare and safety are often highest for women, girls, and marginalized groups. The Gender and Protection Officer is a vital catalyst for change, ensuring that life-saving interventions in health, nutrition, and food security are not only accessible but safe and dignified for every individual. By bridging the gap between vulnerable communities and essential services, you will be directly dismantling social inequalities and fostering a culture of protection that saves lives and empowers the next generation.

Job Summary

The Gender and Protection Officer leads the strategic integration of gender-sensitive practices and protection protocols across all project activities within the Local Government Area (LGA). Your primary mission is to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those most at risk—particularly survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and those needing reproductive health services—while building the capacity of local stakeholders to sustain these efforts long-term.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Implementation & Inclusion

• Mainstreaming Equality: Drive the integration of gender and protection standards across various sectors, including health, nutrition, and livelihoods, to ensure inclusive programming.
• Access to Healthcare: Champion safe and confidential access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services, focusing on adolescent girls and women.
• Protection Advocacy: Identify and support individuals with specific protection risks, facilitating secure referrals to legal, psychosocial, and medical providers.
• Leadership & Training: Design and deliver high-impact workshops on gender equality and protection principles for project staff, community leaders, and youth advocates.

Community Engagement & Capacity Building

• Empowering Local Actors: Identify and mentor “Gender Champions” within the community to challenge harmful social norms and promote positive behavioral change.
• Safe Space Management: Establish and oversee adolescent-friendly and women-friendly spaces that serve as hubs for information, support, and risk mitigation.
• Stakeholder Orientation: Educate host community and camp leaders on the specific protection needs of displaced and vulnerable populations.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEAL)

• Data-Driven Insights: Lead gender-focused technical studies and situational analyses to inform program strategy and ensure data is disaggregated by sex and age.
• Impact Reporting: Manage the documentation of success stories, lessons learned, and progress reports, ensuring all outcomes are measured against gender-sensitive indicators.
• Quality Assurance: Provide oversight for all LGA-level interventions to guarantee adherence to international protection standards and donor requirements.

Coordination & Representation

• Technical Synergy: Collaborate with internal departments (M&E, Nutrition, WASH) to align gender objectives throughout the project lifecycle.
• External Networking: Represent the organization in state-level protection working groups and maintain partnerships with local women’s rights organizations.

Essential Qualifications & Skills

• Educational Background: A University Degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, Gender Studies, Psychology, or a related humanitarian discipline.
• Professional Experience: 2–3 years of proven experience in managing gender-based programs, ideally within a humanitarian or displacement context.
• Technical Expertise: Comprehensive understanding of Protection principles, GBV referral pathways, and the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
• Soft Skills: Exceptional diplomatic skills with the ability to navigate complex cultural dynamics and work under pressure in remote locations.
• Tools: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and experienced in handling sensitive data with strict confidentiality.

Why Join Us?

About Action Against Hunger Action Against Hunger is a global humanitarian leader dedicated to ending world hunger through innovation, local empowerment, and rapid response. In Nigeria, our teams work on the frontlines of the most challenging crises, providing integrated solutions that address the root causes of malnutrition and poverty. We believe that true progress is impossible without gender equality, which is why we place protection and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By joining our team, you become part of a diverse, resilient family committed to creating a world where every child and adult has the opportunity to thrive.

Additional Information

• Salary Expectations: Competitive (Based on NGO salary scales and candidate experience).
• Benefits: This position offers the opportunity to work with a world-class international NGO, professional development through specialized training, and the chance to make a tangible impact on community resilience in Northern Nigeria.

Applicant Tips

• Highlight Your Fieldwork: When applying, provide specific examples of how you handled a complex protection case or successfully advocated for gender inclusion in a traditional setting.
• Focus on Impact: Instead of just listing tasks, explain the results of your previous work.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrate your understanding of the specific socio-cultural context of Sokoto or similar regions in your cover letter.

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the above criteria are invited to submit their application via our official recruitment portal: Apply Here: Action Against Hunger Careers Portal

Action Against Hunger provides equal employment opportunities and strongly encourages applications from female candidates.