Protection Officer- Kafr Nobol & Khan Shaykhun -National Position

Context

About Relief International

Relief International (RI) is an international non-profit organization that works alongside communities affected by conflict, climate change, and disasters to save lives, build resilience, and promote long-term health and well-being.

Our team of more than 6,000 staff and local volunteers operates across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East through programs focused on Health and Nutrition, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education, and Livelihoods, which lay the foundations for community resilience.

To achieve this, we work with local actors to develop safe and inclusive, evidence-based programs that are conflict-sensitive, climate-adapted, and responsive to the needs of the communities we serve.

Relief International is a network of three organizations sharing a common mission: Relief International, Inc., Relief International-France, and Relief International-UK.

Job Profile

Under the supervision of the Protection Coordinator - NWS, the Protection Officer will support the development, organization and supervision of protection (GBV prevention and responsive) and psychosocial support (PSS) activities in Idleb and/or Aleppo and other governorates. S/he will manage, supervise and provide technical support to Social Assistants and PSS Assistants, and provide technical support to facilitators and community mobilizers with the support of Protection Coordinator. S/he will also liaise with community-based protection committees, local community groups and NGOs present in the catchment area to ensure the effective provision of protection services, as well as maintain the safety and integrity of project operations particularly as they relate to beneficiaries.

Key responsibilities

Program Planning and Implementation

Plan, organize, and supervise the daily implementation of protection activities, with a focus on GBV and on PSS, including community-awareness and mobilization activities.

Ensure appropriate planning for the protection activities, including the setting of activity workplans and monitoring of their implementation.

Propose adaptations of the programming to improve relevance and impact, and support the roll-out of new initiatives approved by the line and technical supervisors.

Ensure regular updating of referral pathways, and proper followup of referrals.

Follow-up and coordinate with protection community-based committees by identifying the appropriate individuals, preparing the TORs, developing the work plan , and providing the necessary trainings.

Coordinate with the logistics team to ensure prompt ordering of supplies, effective management of resources, coordination of vehicle movements, and logistical preparation for activities.

Prepare purchase requests (PRs) and financial disbursement requests related to activities; update the PR tracker, and archive all approved PRs, POs, COC and DR.

Staff Management

Manage and provide administrative support to Social Assistants, PSS Assistants, Community Mobilizers, Facilitators (if any), and other indirect staff to ensure quality service delivery.

Prepare daily, weekly and monthly workplans and schedules for team members, and follow up on their implementation, ensuring adherence to timelines.

Fulfil other HR-related tasks including to participate in recruitments of team members, manage staff attendance and leave requests, and contributeg to performance assessments.

Technical Support and Supervision:

Under the supervision of the Protection Coordinator and in accordance with guidance of the Protection technical team, deliver regular technical supervision and support to Social Assistants and other Protection staff.

Conduct capacity needs assessment of the team and, with support of line and technical managers, develop and facilitate capacity-building through trainings on protection topics, especially GBV, and through daily coaching, and mentoring.

When requested, support capacity building for RI non-protection staff and external partners.

Support RI’s field teams to ensure adherence to RI SOPs and humanitarian and protection principles (survivor-centered approach, Do No Harm, etc) and respect for safeguarding, confidentiality, and ethical standards in all interactions with beneficiaries.

Closely monitor case management activities, providing technical support and ensuring that all high-risk cases are flagged to the Protection Coordinator..

Review and validate case files, activity reports, and documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with organizational and donor requirements.

Support the proper use of protection and PSS tools, including referral pathways and assessment forms.

Coordination and Reporting

Represent RI in sub-sector or other coordination meetings as requested by the supervisor

Collaborate with other RI team members and RI partners to support the mainstreaming of protection within the organization and externally.

Develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, including partner agencies, community leaders, and service providers.

Report weekly and monthly achievements and challenges in writing to the supervisor.

Data Management and Protection

Ensure proper documentation and secure storage of protection data, including case management files and attendance sheets, coordinating with the Protection IM officer for quality data management.

Responsible for updating registration database, and reviewing master database.

Support the regular collection and analysis of gender and protection information for effective program/project design and monitoring.

Engage with the M&E team to develop and implement appropriate M&E plans for protection activities.

Behavior and conduct

Ensures the highest standards of behavior inside and outside of work, promoting the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies at all times.Leads by example - is a model for ethical conduct standards for other team members – and acts with integrity and holds themselves accountable for being respectful, inclusive and professional

Ensures own actions and the actions of their teams’ members do not adversely impact the safety of the RI team and the vulnerable communities we serve.

Promotes awareness by external stakeholders of RI conduct and reporting mechanisms

Promptly reports any concerns about possible violations of safeguarding, medical standards, or humanitarian principles to safeguarding focal points, line managers and/or senior management.

Displays cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with diverse communities in an empathetic, non-judgmental manner.

Person Specification

Skills, knowledge and expertise required for the role.

Essential criteria

Law, social work, human rights, sociology, psychology or another relevant degree/diploma.

Minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience with NGOs and/or INGOs in protection sector, specifically in working with vulnerable women and girls.

Knowledge of GBV prevention and response activities including case management, awareness sessions and PSS activities

Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Arabic

Adaptable and capable of working well under pressure;

Ability to work in a team setting, as well as independently without supervision

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and diplomacy skills; able to communicate sensitively and without judgment.

Desirable criteria

Good verbal and written communication skills in English

Staff supervisory experience

Experience and knowledge of Northeast Syrian context, with a sound understanding of local dynamics and protection-related needs.

Facilitation and capacity-building skills (trainings, mentoring).

Demonstrated analysis and reporting skills, preferably including in information data management.

RI Values

Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, as well as “Do No Harm,”