Protection Assistant (Community Based) at COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale

COOPI Cooperazione Internazionale is an humanitarian, non confessional and independent organization that fights against all kinds of poverty to make the world a better place. Founded in 1965 by Vincenzo Barbieri (Italian "father" of international volunteering), COOPI is based in Milan and it has 20 local offices in the South of the World.

It works to assist populations struck by emergencies (disasters and conflicts) and to facilitate their civil, economic and social development.

The association intervenes in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East in collaboration with local actors (civil society, public administration and so on). In 2013 it has implemented 160 projects.

COOPI works in different sectors: agriculture, water and sanitation, health care, humanitarian assistance, human rights, education, socio-economic services, migration. All sectors are related to one another in the programs launched by COOPI all of them interrelated.

COOPI is also committed to the Child Sponsorship programme in 8 countries (Perù, Haiti, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Uganda and DR Congo), and provides food, education, health and protection to 2.700 children.

COOPI also operates in Italy, through awareness and fund-raising campaigns, volunteering activities (almost 400 volunteers), the promotion of the Cooperation and Development Master course at the Institute for Advanced Study of Pavia, and finally the participation to several NGOs associations, among which Link 2007 and AGIRE (Italian Humanitarian Emergency Response Agency) are the most important. The organization is supported by important institutional donors, local institutions, foundations, companies and citizens among the main donors, the European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) recognizes COOPI as an important partner.Scope of the Vacancy
Child Protection (CP):

The Protection Assistant will register, analyze the needs of children at risk, including Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASCs) in target LGAs of Sokoto state. She will design and the follow-up plan for each identified child and actively contribute in case management, collaborating with the other protection team members and with the Community Support Workers to deal directly with the beneficiaries in the targeted areas
Collection of information needed to identify,
Register, analyze the needs of children at risk, including Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASCs),
With the support of Senior Protection Officer, design and the follow-up plan for each identified child and actively contribute in case management, collaborating with the other team members and with the Community Support Workers to deal directly with the beneficiaries in the targeted areas in the BHA USAID funded project in the consortium partnership with IRC, ALIMA and LHI.

Gender Based Violence (GBV/WPE) Job Overview / Summary

The Protection Assistant will provide psychosocial support, basic case management support to survivors of gender-based violence through individual counselling follow up support, referrals, and dissemination of information on available GBV services to encourage access to services.
She will in collaboration with the Response Officer oversee provision of psychosocial/group support, skills building, information sessions and other recreational activities that promotes social support networks and cohesion with women and girls at the women and girls’ centers/safe spaces.

Main Duties / Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Protection/GBV, she:

Collects the information needed to identify, registers, analyzes the needs of any child at risk, including UASC;
Designs the case plan for the identified child at risk;
Conducts registration and case management activities as assigned by the Supervisor;
Fills the standard forms of registration accurately for the case management and follow-up;
Contributes in the success of the trainings for community leaders, also by accompanying them directly on the field;
Joins actively the case management meetings and trainings to raise gaps and recommendations based on the daily work on the field;
Supports the data-entry activities providing the proper information about each child at risk from the caseload;
Communicates regularly with the Protection Assistant Supervisor for updates on achievements and challenges and any changes in the community’s social context and security status;
Ensures that all documentation for Case management of Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASCs) and children at risk is conducted and filed according to required standards of data protection and confidentiality;
Collects and documents success stories for reports;
The Protection Assistant will conduct all steps of the Case Management processes for an assigned number of individuals, Neglect, Violence against UASC and their families in the process.
To directly work with other Protection Assistants and service providers on management of Caseload and Referrals.
With the support of Protection coordinator, adopts standard operating procedure (SOPs) for the Child Protection and case management system and data management protocols;
Performs any other necessary action related to the position to achieve the objectives of the project and of COOPI in Nigeria if requested by the Team Leader
Upholds COOPI’s mission and Charter of Values;
Follows and enforces all COOPI codes of conduct and policies (globally and in-country);
Participate in the field work of the nutrition survey (impact assessment)
Perform any other action related with the position needed to achieve the objectives of the projects.

Major Responsibilities

Provide direct support and care for adult and child survivors of gender-based violence, including counseling and basic case management. Case management services will include Assessment of needs of clients, developing an action plan with clients, Implementing the plan with clients.
Provide physical accompaniment to GBV survivors if requested to access medical and other services according to their wishes, choices, and decisions.
Conduct direct and regular follow up of GBV survivors through home visits and based on survivors wishes and consent.
Case closure (when appropriate)
Conduct direct follow up of GBV survivors through home visits and regular follow up visits based on survivors’ wishes and consent.
Ensure proper documentation of reported GBV incidences through utilization of GBVIMS case intake, action, follow up and other case management forms appropriately.
Follow GBV guiding principles of respect, confidentiality, and safety/security and non- discrimination while providing services to women and girls.
Monitor how the GBV referral pathway is working through making direct follow ups with other organizations that are providing services to survivors.
Conduct and help plan and organize psychosocial/ group support activities with women and adolescent girls to meet the emotional needs of survivors, build support networks among women/girls, and promote social integration of survivors and other vulnerable women.
Work with women and girls in the community to identify their needs, interests and priorities, and where possible, adapt activities according to these to ensure activities offered are culturally appropriate and meet the needs of women and girls.
Ensure that vulnerable women and girls including GBV survivors are engaged on psychosocial activities of their choice that will support their healing and recovery.
In collaboration with the Community Mobilizers, conduct awareness raising activities on GBV and its health consequences, promoting available services to women and girls, and addressing the stigma preventing women and girls from accessing support and services with activities for female only group.
In collaboration with the WPE team, participate in meetings with community leadership structures when necessary to advocate for the needs of women and girls, and encourage their participation in GBV prevention and response activities in the communities.

Protection Rule of Law (PROL):

Responsible for the identification and civil documentation of adolescent boys and girls with no civil/legal documents.
Mobilization of beneficiaries in IDP camps / project communities to access services
Awareness raising and sensitization of beneficiaries of IDP camps / project communities on project implementation and deliverables
Ensure synergy between the Protection sector and other COOPI sectorial activities in Sokoto in close coordination and consultation with other project staff.
Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity, capacity building and mainstream protection into all activities as appropriate.
Supports the Protection Rule of Law Officer and Senior Protection Officer in managing the team at the field level.

Qualifications

Candidate must be a graduate from a reputable institute and have at least 2 years working experience in Child Protection / GBV programming / General Protection.
At least 2 years of field experience in Child Protection and GBV case management
Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients always is essential.
Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and be able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
Ability to work as a member of a team essential.
Excellent listening and observation skills, including ability to create trust, support, respect and interact with survivors of all ages, background, and diversity.
Counseling and training experience, including experience working with women and girls preferred.
Demonstrated commitment to women’s empowerment and protection through current/ previous volunteer work in women’s group, girls’ clubs or other relevant experience is an added advantage.
Ability to facilitate trainings and sessions, including group support activities with women and girls.
Ability to communicate in English, Kanuri, Hausa and or local dialects spoken in the location.
Ability to keep records and write simple and basic reports of activities would be an added advantage.
A minimum of university Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Health, or equivalent is a requirement.
Must be a Rabah community Based and a Team Player.
Females are strongly encourage to apply.