Technical Advisor- Protection

Job Title:                                        Technical Advisor- Protection

Department:                                       Programming

Duty Station:                                  Gedaref

Line Manager:                                Head of Mission

Line Management Responsibility:  N/APosition

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organisation. We work with people affected by violent conflicts to enhance their security and dignity through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). We work to reduce violence, protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath, and help transform the world’s response to conflict situations.

Overview:

NP has been working in Darfur for several years, with particular focus on North Darfur and is now looking at expanding its operations – both geographically and through partners. Working through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP), NP centres local communities in preventing violence and promoting positive peace. The NP programming focuses on building capacities within local communities to engage in nonviolent self-protection methods such as protective accompaniment/presence, community-led safety and security initiatives such as conflict de-escalation techniques and early warning/response mechanisms. Secured funding spans several years and offers an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of sustainable, civilian protection.  

Job Summary:

The focus of this role is to develop programming and implementation strategies that will contribute to the effective application of UCP throughout NP Sudan field sites – with a particular focus on supporting the teams, partners and community protection teams in the technical learning and roll out of UCP activities.   

The Protection Advisor ensures consistency and quality in programming as well as supporting coordination of UCP as an effective methodology for responding to violence and civilian protection needs. Working together with senior programme staff, they will identify staff, partner and capacity building needs in protection and UCP programming. The Protection Advisor will use his or her technical knowledge and practice experience of community based protection to provide technical advice, support with work plans, and capacity building/curricula to develop the skills of various groups associated with NP work.

Due to the conflict and the current nature of NP programming locations, a majority of work will be done remote from the program teams (although this role is based inside Sudan). Therefore, technical support must be adapted accordingly.

Programme implementation and capacity building  

• Provide technical advice and oversight to field teams and partners on deepening a protection/UCP lens in programmatic implementation in rapidly changing, volatile contexts;
• Develop and review materials for NP trainings;
• Identify and refine tools for field teams and partners – including those required for monitoring and evaluation
• Create toolboxes/templates/training guides for field teams and partners that include a myriad of resources, activities and options;
• Support the teams to keep track of Community Protection Team learning progress and develop materials/ direction for further development
• Work with field teams and partners to develop their understanding of the application of UCP and advise teams to implement UCP as per the emerging trends;
• Support teams in effective conflict analysis, stakeholder mapping and access analysis;
• Review and design effective capacity building for national and international field staff and partners including, but not limited to: MPT, protection mainstreaming, safe progamming…)
• Participate as needed in rapid needs assessments and emergency response missions;
• Support the development of field team capacity in documentation: reporting, case studies, success stories, etc.
• Contribute to ensuring that NP’s protection work is sensitive to gender and children’s issues and deepen field staff’s understanding of the identification of vulnerability in individuals, families and communities;
• Contribute to broader analysis of displacement trends, hotspot mapping and emerging conflict dynamics;
• Work with teams to identify community self-protection mechanisms that are being utilized in various contexts and encourage field teams to apply promising practices.

Protection analysis, trend reporting and strategy 

• Provide quarterly protection analysis trends and programmatic recommendations;

• Advise the program teams to implement UCP as per the emerging trends;

• Support the management team in developing broader analysis of displacement trends, hotspot mapping and emerging conflict dynamics;

• Identify community self-protection mechanisms that are being utilized in various contexts and encourage field teams to apply promising practices;

• Ensure the quality of internal, external and donor reports using a protection/ UCP lens;

• Contribute to donor reporting and grant inception as requested;

• Provide recommendations for NPSD strategy

Coordination 

• Represent NPSD in coordination meetings at the field and HQ levels as requested;

• Support coordination between teams on specific cases as well as other agencies when necessary;

• Networking to identify, develop linkages and coordinate with other emerging local actors working in the field of localization, CP, GP, women’s protection and empowerment;

• Support recruitment processes for programmes staff where necessary, including serving on interview panels as requested;

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES: 

Education, Knowledge and Experience 

• University degree in human rights, international humanitarian law, refugee law, negotiation, mediation, human security, or related field;

• Previous experience working with NP in a similar context and in start-up programming is essential.

• 5-7 years work experience in a humanitarian context regarding issues related to human security, peacebuilding, refugee or civilian protection;

• 3-5 years experience in complex security environments;

• Demonstrated experience working in highly volatile areas, negotiations with authorities and rapidly changing protection landscapes;

• Knowledge of project design, programme management, impact and evaluation;

• Excellent diplomacy and stakeholder liaison skills;

• Demonstrated ability to analyze conflict, security and protection contexts;

• Technical expertise in at least one of the following GBV, child protection, internal displacement/refugee protection, unarmed civilian protection, protection mainstreaming.

Skills  

Independent Judgment/Analytical 

• Analysis and information management

• Ability to identify patterns and trends and manage sensitive information with discretion

• Identify entry points for responding to challenging protection concerns

• Demonstrable conflict analysis skills and capacity to generate suggestions for protection strategies

• Ability to set priorities, solve problems and analyze data

Interpersonal  

• Fluency in working in multicultural environments and with diverse teams

• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups

• Ability to represent NPSD in professional forums.

• Creative problem solver

• Proven ability to build relationships with the full range of actors including authorities, traditional leaders, military, police, non-state actors, international actors, and partners

• Ability to coach and mentor staff while building independent and self-sustaining capacity

Management 

• Ability to structure and direct work plans of national and international staff, managing conflict, and maximizing human resources
• Ability to address staff welfare issues maturely and discreetly

Language 

• Ability to interact confidently in English with colleagues and external contacts, to write documents and reports, and to present effectively relevant information

• Ability to speak Arabic is highly desirable

Information Technology 

• Good skills in Microsoft Office applications

• IT hardware skills a definite asset

Other Specialized Requirements 

• This field site is a complex security environment where conditions change rapidly–experience in insecure environments is essential to success in this position

• Willingness to travel long distances by vehicle

Application Process

• Candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a CV (max. 2 pages) and cover letter (max. 1 page), through our website detailing their experience and how they qualify for the role. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• The closing date for applications is 17th January 2025
• Candidates may be selected before the closing date; apply early
• As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a technical assignment before participating in an interview.

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 prioritise 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 organisation.

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.