National Protection Officer (Sudanese Nationals only)

Job Title: National Protection Officer

Department: Programme Implementation

Duty Station: El-Fasher

Administrative Line Manager: Team Leader/Base Manager

Technical Line Manager: Senior National Protection Officer

Line Management Responsibility: N/A

Position Type: Full-time

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organization. We work to reduce violence and protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath through unarmed civilian protection (UCP) and by helping to transform the world’s response to conflict situations. NP implements programming through the deployment of trained, unarmed, civilian protection teams to the field.

NP has been present in Sudan since February 2022, working with communities to enhance their safety and to interrupt cycles of violence that impact civilians. Building on work done over the last couple of years, NP is looking to scale up its team in El Fasher, Zamzam camp and surrounding areas.

JOB PURPOSE:
The role of the National Protection Officer (NPO) is to support the implementation of civilian protection and violence-prevention programming for those affected by conflict in Sudan.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for experienced Protection Officers to implement community-based violence reduction and prevention programming in various locations in Sudan. You will be a person with a genuine commitment to working at the community level, someone who is skilled at building trusting relationships in an extremely polarized political climate. You are not deterred by the complexity of conflict; you are able to analyze conflict dynamics; you are motivated and unendingly persistent in finding and implementing protection and prevention strategies that increase the safety and security of civilians affected by violent conflict.

You will be a person committed to improving the lives of people in your community. You will recognize that a community is made up of people with diverse beliefs, affiliations, and interests, and that this diversity is to be celebrated. You will be capable of looking beyond your own political, tribal, ethnic, and all other affiliations to work equally for the good of all people. You will thrive in a multicultural environment, working side by side with international colleagues.

KEY OBJECTIVES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Commitment to NP Principles

• Demonstrate a commitment to NP’s mandate and principles
• Serve as a community role model for peaceful co-existence and nonviolence, and maintain a positive image of the organization in the community at all times

Project Implementation / Programming

Information gathering and contextual analysis

• Assist with information gathering and verification, and context analysis
• Proactively engage with all stakeholders in conflict (local community leaders, government authorities, police, army, non-state armed groups, NGOs, community members etc.) to identify on-going and potential issues in the community that may trigger violence
• Identify protection needs and trends within the community

Community engagement

• Lead participatory meetings to support communities to apply NP principles and civilian protection mechanisms to improve their own security
• Conduct check-in calls and follow-up visits with community protection actors to assess their security situation and offer support in case of challenges with the implementation of protection mechanisms and security concerns
• Identify and flag communities or individuals in need of specialized support services, maintain updated referral pathway, ensure effective dissemination of information
• Establish and support community protection mechanisms, including intensive follow-up and support
• Facilitate active participation and leadership of women in community peace, safety and security strategies
• Monitor all protection issues and coordinate with concerned local authorities and NGOs to ensure that relevant protection partners are fully informed on the situation in the region

Training

• With support of Technical Advisor(s) and Senior National Protection Officer, facilitate technical skills training, coaching and mentorship in conflict analysis, nonviolent conflict resolution and community-based protection strategies

Protective presence, accompaniment and other interventions

• Provide protective presence in situations where an incident may occur or has happened and which is a direct threat to peace and stability of the community while upholding the principle of non-partisanship
• Provide protective accompaniment to civilians at risk
• Facilitate communications and relationships between communities in conflict, providing proactive engagement to mitigate potential conflict including facilitated dialogue, shuttle diplomacy and the development of specific implementable agreements
• Assist in designing strategic interventions meant to mitigate conflict and protect civilians
• Manage cases of individuals who are vulnerable or under threat, including working with other service providers and managing a follow-up process.

Administration & Operations

Reporting

• Produce activity, field and training reports and support the Team Leader in internal and external reporting as needed
• Participate in team meetings, debriefs and strategy sessions, implementing recommendations arising from lessons learnt

Security

• Support the team in consistent security analysis and development of security protocols
• Ensure all project work is consistent with agreed safety and security policies and procedures

Logistics/Finance

• Assist with procurement of supplies or other logistical matters when delegated by the Team Leader
• Handle operational funds in compliance with financial procedures; account for team cash managed by finance focal person

Other

• Perform any other work-related duties that may be assigned by the Team Leader
• Provide written translation of documents, and oral translation in meetings, trainings and workshops where required
• Be available to work evenings and weekends, in both planned and emergency situations
• Be available in any field site as needed by the organization

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

Education, Knowledge and Experience

• EITHER – Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• OR – 3+ year’s work experience in the NGO, humanitarian, peacebuilding or development sector
• Strong commitment to the safety and security, and the protection, of civilians
• Good knowledge and understanding of the conflict context in Darfur
• Strong ability to proactively engage and build relations with armed actors, IDPs, government officials, national and international INGOs, service providers, etc.
• Individuals with strong connections and relations within their communities will be preferred
• Former participants of online UCP trainings are strongly encouraged to apply
• Proficiency in local languages is required
• Ability to interact confidently with and present information effectively to colleagues and external contacts in verbal and written English is strongly preferred
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office preferred
• Ability to manage information with discretion
• Ability to set priorities, solve problems and analyze data
• Flexibility, reliability and stress resilience

Other Specialized Requirements

• Willingness and ability to be part of a dynamic, mobile protection response. Teams may be required to spend extended periods of time staying and working within local communities, with ad hoc sleeping arrangements with local organisations or other contacts. Candidates must therefore be willing to spend time away from home.
• This position is physically demanding; teams may have to walk long distances, or drive long distances across rough terrain.

SPECIAL NOTICE

Nonviolent Peaceforce is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, communities we work with, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance and complies with best practices in the Humanitarian and Development sector. NP expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We prioritize ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organization.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. NP also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

NO FEE

We never ask for payment as part of our selection process, and we always contact candidates via our corporate accounts and platforms. If you are approached for payment, this is likely to be fraudulent. Please check whether the role you are interested in is posted here on our website.