Protection Officer (Protection and Empowerment of Women)

Overview
Manage cases and provide psychosocial support for female survivors of GBV

You have:

Professional in psychology, Social Work, social sciences or related field with recognized university degree.
At least 2 years of experience in gender violence programs and response protocols implementation.
Experience in case management with survivors of gender-based violence.
Demonstrated dedication to the empowerment and protection of women through participation in women’s groups, girls’ clubs, or volunteer experience.
Demonstrated understanding and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients.
Positive and professional attitude, with the ability to lead and work well in a team environment.
Preferred previous experience working in emergency environments or insecure situations.

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Details
Job Description

The Protection Officer (Women’s Protection and Empowerment) in Táchira is responsible for the direct management of cases, individual counseling, and group psychosocial activities in safe spaces for women survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The officer is expected to be frequently in the field to lead the implementation of case management, inform decision-making, and raise early warnings, particularly during community awareness activities, training, project selection, and conflict resolution.

Main responsibilities:

Technical Quality and Program Development

– Provide age-appropriate, direct case management to GBV survivors, including supporting clients in developing a plan to address their individual needs and safely implementing this plan. – Adhere to the guiding principles of GBV case management, including abuse, exploitation, and neglect, throughout all case management and psychosocial interventions. This includes ensuring survivor confidentiality and respecting their wishes and decisions. – Develop age- and gender-appropriate case management strategies, including assessing client needs; providing basic crisis counseling (and in some contexts, additional individual counseling); developing action plans with clients; and supporting clients in seeking services and support. – Provide services to GBV survivors, including case management, best interest determination, age-appropriate engagement and decision-making by survivors, and Do No Harm analysis. – Lead specialized, age- and gender-appropriate group emotional support services to be provided to vulnerable beneficiaries. – Work with the community mobilizer to exchange information and ensure that CIR programs respond to the evolving needs of communities. – Collaborate with the protection assistant(s) to respond to evolving needs, focusing on the prevention of gender-based violence. – Identify related concerns and support compliance with case referral protocols and protection guiding principles, and present these concerns to the Senior Protection Officer. – Maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders, including community leaders. – Complete monthly activity reports, in accordance with the guidance provided by the Senior Protection Officer.

Monitoring Responsibilities

– Maintain detailed and confidential case files in line with recognized best practices – Contribute to monthly reports.

Coordination & Representation

– Direct and effective communication with other social workers and service providers as part of individual case management – Regularly attend field-level case management meetings.

Program Development

– Contribute to the development of the strategic direction and operationalization of CIR programs in Táchira. – Coordinate with personnel from other areas within CIR (e.g., Food Security, Health) at the field level. – Support the identification of needs, the design of responses, and the formulation of projects to address the needs of children, adolescents, women, and adolescents affected by the Venezuelan crisis. – Stay updated and informed of developments in their field of action, regarding protection and education, that affect the target population. – Represent CIR in protection forums when delegated.

Monitoring and Evaluation

– Complete the reliable checklist and report any issues to your immediate supervisor. – Keep records of all necessary information during and after the training exam, as well as focus group discussions. – Upload information to CommCare promptly and make timely updates.

Others

– Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams; promptly report concerns or incidents to CIR management, liaising with community leaders and other external groups as needed to maintain/improve the safety environment of CIR programs. – Other duties, as assigned by the immediate supervisor, to enable and develop CIR programs. – All CIR personnel are committed to CIR’s Standards of Professional Conduct (CIR Way) and CIR’s country employment policies, as well as child protection policies.

Qualifications

Education:

– Professional in psychology (licensed, with a university degree registered in the Public Registry and the Ministry of Popular Power for University Education), Social Work (university degree registered in the Public Registry), social sciences or other related field. Experience in GBV prevention programs is valued.

Preferred experience and skills:

– At least 2 years of experience in the application of gender-based violence programs and the implementation of response protocols and associated service delivery. – Experience in case management with survivors of gender-based violence. – Experience in gender-based violence prevention programs with knowledge of care pathways. – Demonstrated commitment to the empowerment and protection of women through current/previous volunteer or paid work in women’s groups, girls’ clubs, or other relevant experience. – Demonstrated understanding and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients. – Positive and professional attitude, including the ability to lead and work well in a team environment. – Previous experience working in emergency settings, unsafe environments, or remote management situations is preferred.

Work environment :

– Changing work environment. – Geographical work presence and movement, and the scope of the program, may change as the program grows. – Frequent travel is possible.

Standards of professional conduct

Employees must adhere to the values ​​and principles outlined in the IRC Way—Standards for Professional Conduct. In accordance with these values, the organization operates and implements policies on beneficiary protection from exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding, workplace harassment, fiscal integrity, and anti-retaliation.

Gender equality : The organization is committed to reducing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive safety protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Equal Opportunity Employer : We are an equal opportunity employer. We consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
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