Job Guide: GBV Officer (Borno State)at Rising Hope Initiative for Sustainable Development

The Rising Hope Mission: Context and Commitment

Rising Hope Initiative for Sustainable Development (RHISD) is a women-led organization dedicated to forging sustainable pathways for conflict-affected populations in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria. We are uniquely positioned by our commitment to long-term, culturally tailored solutions that prioritize the rights of marginalized groups.

The GBV Officer role is central to this mission, acting as the frontline pillar of our Protection strategy. This is a critical opportunity to move beyond emergency response, embedding sustainable prevention and confidential, survivor-centered recovery within the fabric of Borno communities.

Role Profile: Frontline Protection & Prevention Specialist

Factor	Detail
Organization	Rising Hope Initiative for Sustainable Development (RHISD)
Location	Borno State, Nigeria
Job Type	Contract
Core Purpose	To support the full cycle of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention, safe response, and community empowerment activities.
Ethical Mandate	Strict adherence to GBV guiding principles: Safety, Confidentiality, Respect, and Non-discrimination.

Key Impact Areas and Challenges

The GBV Officer role operates across two indispensable streams: Direct Response and Sustainable Prevention.

A. Survivor-Centered Response (Case Management & PSS)

This function demands the highest level of ethical integrity and technical skill. You are the critical link between survivors and essential services.

• Challenge: Providing immediate, confidential, and empathetic support in a highly sensitive and stressful environment.
• Key Responsibilities:
  • Case Management: Delivering end-to-end, survivor-centered case management, including safety planning and emotional support.
  • Referral Facilitation: Ensuring seamless, timely, and safe referrals to medical, legal, psychosocial, and livelihood services through a strengthened network.
  • Psychosocial Support: Leading structured individual and group PSS sessions, and supporting the safe, effective operation of Women & Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS).

B. Community Empowerment & Prevention

This function transforms community awareness into sustainable protective structures, aligning with RHISD’s long-term methodology.

• Challenge: Building local capacity and ownership to address and mitigate GBV risks within diverse, conflict-affected cultural contexts.
• Key Responsibilities:
  • Community Mobilization: Conducting targeted community sensitization and awareness campaigns, focusing on risk-reduction activities.
  • Capacity Building: Training and mentoring community volunteers, focal persons, women-led groups, and staff on GBV concepts, PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse), and referral pathways.
  • Safety Audits: Participating in community assessments to proactively identify and address structural GBV risks.

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Success Metrics for the GBV Officer

A successful GBV Officer will achieve the following critical outcomes:

• Integrity of Services: All case management records are consistently confidential and accurate, following GBVIMS standards.
• Functional Pathways: Referral mechanisms are robust, ensuring survivors access all necessary services (health, legal, livelihood) without delay or breakdown.
• Empowered Structures: Community structures and Women & Girls Safe Spaces are effectively established, actively running, and demonstrate increased local capacity for self-protection and risk mitigation.
• Data and Learning: Weekly and monthly reports are submitted accurately and on time, capturing not just numbers, but critical lessons learned and success stories for M&E purposes.

The Ideal Candidate: Technical Expertise Meets Ethical Commitment

The high-stakes environment in Borno requires a blend of rigorous technical training, local language proficiency, and unwavering personal integrity.

Essential Qualifications

Category	Requirement	Significance for the Role
Education	Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Gender Studies, or related field.	Provides the foundational knowledge of trauma-informed care and psychosocial principles.
Experience	Minimum 2–3 years in GBV programming or protection work.	Essential for navigating complex case management and implementing established standards.
Language	Fluency in both Hausa and Kanuri (spoken and written).	Non-negotiable for confidential communication, accurate reporting, and effective community engagement in Borno.

Core Competencies & Attributes

• Ethical Standard: Deep understanding and practical application of GBV core guiding principles (Safety, Confidentiality, Non-discrimination).
• Empathy and Professionalism: Ability to maintain a compassionate, non-judgmental, and professional demeanour when working directly with survivors.
• Technical Tools: Proficiency in GBVIMS (Gender-Based Violence Information Management System) for reporting, and strong MS Office skills.
• Resilience: Demonstrated ability to work independently and under pressure in challenging, stressful environments while maintaining cultural sensitivity.
• Integrity: Unwavering commitment to strong ethical and professional standards, particularly regarding PSEA.