Protection (GBV Response) Officer Full Time NEW

About Oxfam

OUR WORK IN ETHIOPIA

Terpham- Nguennyiel/Terkidi Camp, Gambella

We believe flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements that might work for you. This is a full-time role; however, Oxfam offers various flexible arrangements that candidates can discuss with the Recruiting Manager at the interview stage.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization.

Oxfam’s Protection program is aimed at assisting civilians caught up in conflict and crises to be safer and have their rights respected and fulfilled. Oxfam’s protection work uses a risk reduction approach, combining efforts to prevent or mitigate threats to civilians with actions to reduce their vulnerability, while building on their own capacity for self-protection.

In Gambella, Oxfam has planned to assist survivors of violence, coercion, and deliberate deprivation- with a strong focus on women and girls affected by Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – to reach the emergency help and support they require. These goals are achieved by strategically combining community-based protection work with advocacy, influencing and negotiation, and by facilitating safe, timely access for survivors to emergency and protection services.

TEAM PURPOSE:

The Protection Officer (WGFS and PSS) r will be based in Nguenyyiel or Terkid/ Terpham under the direct supervision of the Senior Gender and Protection Officer.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Protection (GBV Response) Officer supports the implementation of Women and Girls Friendly Space (WGFS) programming in line with WGFS minimum standards. The officer ensures that the space is safe, accessible, confidential, and responsive to the needs of women and girls, while promoting empowerment, psychosocial well-being, and prevention and response to GBV.

The role also contributes to community-based protection through psychosocial support, supporting and facilitating refugee led women to take ownership of the WGFS facilitation, outreach, and referral services, ensuring programming is participatory, culturally appropriate, and survivor-centred.

Matrix: Protection Coordinator

Programme Support and Risk Mitigation

• Support the Senior Gender and Protection Officer in conducting safe programming risk assessments for protection activities in the camp, ensuring information is updated regularly.
• Implement agreed risk mitigation measures within WGFS activities and support the implementation of protection-related risk mitigation measures
• Ensure the WGFS is accessible to diverse groups (adolescents, persons with disabilities, elderly women, etc.) and promotes an environment free from harm, violence, fear, and stigma.
• Uphold GBV guiding principles: safety, confidentiality, respect, and non-discrimination.

Community Engagement

• Apply approaches that promote participation and ownership of women and girls in planning and implementing activities, based on their needs, preferences, and schedules.
• Support inclusion of marginalized and at-risk groups by helping identify and address barriers to access.
• Engage women, girls, and community groups in safety mapping and risk identification, and help strengthen community-based support networks.
• Participate in safety audits and support coordination with other sectors (e.g., WASH, Shelter), as directed by the Senior Gender and Protection Officer and the Gambella Program Manager.
• Conduct outreach activities to raise awareness on GBV, and available services.

GBV Response, WGFS Activities and Empowerment Services

• Facilitate structured, age-appropriate psychosocial support (PSS) activities, including group discussions, skill building/creative activities, and peer support sessions, according to approved activity plans.
• Facilitate life skills, vocational, or livelihood-related activities where appropriate and contextually feasible, to promote positive coping mechanisms.
• Facilitate sessions on women’s rights and protection, available services and referral pathways, and GBV prevention and response.

Facilitating Access to Protection Services

• Ensure survivors who provide consent are safely referred to specialized services following Oxfam’s SOP on referrals and follow up to check that referred persons have been assisted.
• Serve as the GBV focal point for referrals, liaising with specialized service providers, and maintain the confidential database of referrals made by Oxfam in the camp.
• Provide supportive listening and basic emotional support to individuals attending WGFS activities (including survivors of GBV), applying survivor-centred principles.
• Apply Psychological First Aid (PFA) to individuals experiencing distress, in line with recommended approaches.

Identifying and Reporting Protection Concerns

• Identify and document protection concerns and trends reported by communities, ensuring information is reviewed for credibility and avoiding reliance on unverified rumours; refrain from conducting formal investigations.
• Share identified protection issues and challenges related to accessing services and referrals with the Senior Gender and Protection Officer and protection coordinator
• Maintain up-to-date awareness of service mapping (medical, mental health, legal, and protection services) and referral pathways in assigned camps and communities.

Monitoring, Documentation and Confidentiality

• Track attendance, activities, and participation trends.
• Prepare regular activity and referral reports, maintaining strict confidentiality and safely storing sensitive information.

Feedback and Accountability

• Facilitate community feedback mechanisms (e.g., consultations) and use feedback to help adapt programming.
• Promptly inform MEAL of any feedback or complaints received in the community and WGFS.

Capacity Building and Compliance

• Participate in and apply training on GBV guiding principles, PSS approaches and facilitation skills, safeguarding and Code of Conduct, and referral pathways and information management.
• Comply with Oxfam’s safeguarding policies, Code of Conduct, humanitarian principles, and WGFS minimum standards and SOPs.

• Live our values of INCLUSION, ACCOUNTABILITY, EMPOWERMENT, COURAGE, SOLIDARITY and EQUALITY (read more about these here)
• Ensure you commit to our ORGANIZATIONAL ATTRIBUTES (including adhering to the Code of Conduct):

Essential Criteria/qualification & Skill/ for long list

• Bachelor’s degree in the fields of social work, psychology, women and gender studies, child development, sociology and anthropology, and related field
• Minimum 3 years in protection programming, preferably in WGFS, GBV Response and PSS.
• Knowledge of IASC and national GBV and MHPSS standards.
• Proven facilitation and communication skills
• Ability to work with vulnerable populations and maintain confidentiality
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Good reporting and documentation skills
• Basic English speaking and writing skills.
• Fluency in local language
• Can work under time pressure and hardship locations being at field.
• Mental health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) intervention experience is a plus.
• Trained on PM+ and Self-Help Plus (SH+)

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