Protection and Social Cohesion Officer at DanChurch Aid Full Time

Currently, DCA is looking for a qualified Protection and Social Cohesion Officer based in Afar, Aysaita programs in collaboration with local and international commercial and non-commercial international NGO partners.

Position Summary

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen social cohesion between refugees, returnees, IDPs and host community members encouraging them to work together on common problems for the betterment of the whole community. By building on and utilizing existing and customary institutions and strengthening cooperation among various population groups, traditional authorities and government institutions aim to create a positive experience among stakeholders in dealing with each other on the basis of trust. It will enhance stakeholders’ capacity to engage in inclusive, regular, and participatory dialogue processes aimed at addressing conflicts non-violently and building social cohesion. The project will also enhance protection for vulnerable groups particularly related to GBV (such as sexual, physical, and psychological harassment), engaging local government and community structures and providing a tailored support for the survivors. The Protection and Social Cohesion Officer will be responsible for the effective implementation of the protection and social cohesion part of the project.

Key Responsibilities:

•  Prepare and regularly review the project Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) and procurement plan
• Ensure that activities are implemented in accordance with the operational plan and as per the required standard.
• Participate in the development of clear beneficiary targeting criteria and ensure they are clearly communicated to target beneficiaries, receive feedbacks and act accordingly in consultation with Project Field Office team.
• Actively engage in conflict analysis and protection need assessment in the area on regular bases recommend adjustments to program implementation.
• Prepare woreda and camp level detailed activity implementation plan.
• Fully responsible for collection and analysis of data/information at woreda and camp level.
• Identify core implementation challenges and take remedial actions as required.
• Organize regular dialogue sessions
• Organize women and men led protection committees and hold regular sessions
• Actively take part in context and conflict assessments in refugee camps and host communities
• Contribute to development of concept notes and proposal for peacebuilding and protection projects
• Contribute to development of strategies and approaches to effective implementation of protection, peacebuilding and social cohesion activities
• Continuously collect and share new updates and developments related to protection, social cohesion and peace building at regional and local (camp) level
• Is responsible for timely and quality implementation of protection and peace activities and attainment of targets
• Secure the coordination and collaboration of relevant stakeholders
•  Support in developing and implement guidelines and manuals that will help to enhance protection social cohesion
• Contribute to building the capacities of local actors through involvement in their capacity-building planning, localized protection network meetings and co-facilitating their training session where needed
• Ensure participatory, community-based protection approaches
• Facilitate training for various community-based groups on relevant protection topics
• Develop protection tools and provide trainings for staff and partners
• Produce separate quality reports on project launching workshop, different training, joint monitoring and review meeting with line government counterparts, baseline survey in collaboration with MEAL officer and the rest of project team member.
• Generate standard project progress/ Impact level report as per the donor requirement and share with the field office on weekly, monthly, quarterly, interim, and annually as per the required quality and timeline.
• Conduct regular monitoring visit to project sites and provide technical backstopping to community facilitators and beneficiaries.
• Organize and facilitate various workshops and capacity building training for beneficiaries, community groups and relevant government officials
• Collect lessons learned, best practices, case studies and human-interest stories for reporting and promotional purpose and support knowledge management
• Ensure the relevant stakeholders including line government offices, and target communities are actively participating in the planning and implementation of project activities.
• Attend and represent DCA in technical and coordination meetings regarding protection and peacebuilding
• Duly represent DCA in meeting with beneficiaries and beneficiary representatives and with stakeholders at Zonal, Woreda and kebele level
• Ensure that good working relations are maintained with beneficiaries, committee, local government, and all partners, in the intervention area
• Create and foster the spirit and culture of teamwork with in DCA team and other partners at all levels of working environment

Vacancy Number: DCA-Eth/VA-005/2022

Number Required: One   

Type of Contract: Until December 31,2023 with probability of extension

Reporting to: Livelihood and Food Security Coordinator

Expected Start Date: As soon as possible

Required Qualification:

• 4 years (if MA) and 6+ years (if BA) of relevant experience in BA degree in Psychology, Counselling, sociology or social work, Humanitarian Studies, Gender Studies, Anthropology, Law, Political Sciences or related discipline.
•  Demonstrated technical expertise in protection monitoring and responses for IDPs, returnees and host communities.
• Experience in working with women, children, specific needs groups and case management programs;
• Expertise in Psychosocial support, child protection & GBV protection principles desirable;
•  Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken (English, Amharic and local language)
• Proven experience in creating and coordinating partnerships for achieving intended goals
•   Good organizational skills and capacity to work independently, if necessary and/or required;
•  Integrity, professionalism and expertise in processing reports and questionnaires;
• Ability to understand the cultural context of the community, local language, and use that culture as an input for community mobilization;
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels;
• Ability to perform duties with minimum or no supervisions;
• Good computer skills.