Senior Protection Officer (for Philippine Nationals only)

Senior Protection Officer (for Philippine Nationals only)

Project: BABAE Project Division: Programme Implementation Duty Station: Cotabato City Area of Responsibility (AoR): SGAs, BARMM Line Manager: Project Coordinator Line Management Responsibility: None Position Type/Level of Effort: Full-time

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

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is an international, non-governmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, that has been working in the Philippines since 2007 to protect civilians and strengthen local peace structures through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). Under the UNFPA-funded BABAE Project, Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) will establish Women Friendly Spaces and strengthen community preparedness through the formation of Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) structures, ensuring the meaningful participation of women monitors.

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Senior Protection Officer (SPO) leads the implementation of the BABAE Project's protection interventions, ensuring quality, timely, gender-responsive, and conflict-sensitive delivery in line with Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) standards, donor requirements.

The Senior Protection Officer (SPO) implements field-based protection activities, including gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, Women-Friendly Spaces (WFS), sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), community-based protection, Early Warning and Early Response (EWER), and women's empowerment initiatives. The SPO works closely with communities, local authorities, and partner organizations to ensure the timely, conflict-sensitive, gender-responsive, and effective implementation of project activities that address the protection needs of women, girls, and other vulnerable groups.

Key Responsibilities

Project implementation and Field Activities

Implement daily field activities according to approved work plans and the project’s logical framework.

Assist and mentor the Women Friendly Space Facilitators in planning and organizing SRH and GBV-related initiatives such as community outreach, awareness-raising, trainings, and support services.

Support the establishment and operation of safe spaces, referral pathways, and survivor-centered approaches.

Coordinate closely with Municipal Health Offices (MHOs), the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD), Women and Child Protection Units/Desks (WCPU/WCPD), Municipal Peace and Order Councils (MPOCs), protection actors, and community-based organizations to strengthen coordination, facilitate integrated service delivery, and ensure timely, survivor-centered, and effective protection and referral services.

Engage communities to promote awareness and prevention of SRH and GBV issues, while respecting cultural sensitivities.

Facilitate trainings, dialogues, and community consultations aimed at building local capacity for conflict prevention and protection.

Provide a protective presence in conflict-prone areas, including accompanying vulnerable individuals when necessary.

Prepare and submit activity reports to the line manager in a timely manner.

Collaborate with the line manager to adjust plans and activities based on evolving field dynamics and feedback.

Community Engagement and Social Cohesion

Build and maintain strong relationships with local government units (LGUs), traditional and religious leaders, civil society actors, peacekeeping mechanisms, and other key stakeholders to support coordinated efforts on SRH and GBV prevention and response.

Represent the organization in local forums, task forces, or protection clusters focused on SRH and GBV, when delegated, providing updates and recommendations to leadership to inform programmatic decisions.

Strengthen and support the institutionalization of Local Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) networks in municipal level by promoting sustainable coordination, enhancing local capacities, and integrating measures to address gender-based violence (GBV) risks and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) emergencies.

Promote inclusive dialogue and build the capacity of women, youth, and marginalized groups on protection principles, SRH rights, GBV prevention, and survivor-centered approaches, empowering them to participate actively in peacebuilding and protection efforts.

Foster social cohesion by supporting community-led safety initiatives that integrate SRH and GBV awareness and protection measures, ensuring these efforts align with program strategies for greater impact.

Information Management and Reporting

Maintain accurate attendance, participation, beneficiary, and project records in both digital and hard-copy formats.

Regularly collect, review, and verify the monthly reports submitted by Women-Friendly Space (WFS) Facilitators within the assigned areas, consolidate the reports, and submit them to the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer in a timely manner.

Update and manage project databases, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, confidentiality, and compliance with organizational policies.

Prepare and submit the Monthly Field Implementation and Monitoring Log and other required reports to the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer on time.

Verify and validate project data through regular quality assurance checks to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency.

Generate periodic reports, data summaries, and information products to support project monitoring, donor reporting, and evidence-based decision-making.

Organize and maintain project documentation to ensure data security, accessibility, audit readiness, and compliance with organizational reporting standards.

Risk Management and Security

Monitor local security dynamics and promptly report incidents or emerging risks to the line manager and designated security focal points.

Adhere strictly to NP's safety and security protocols during field operations or in engaging in high-risk areas.

Contribute field-level insights to risk assessments and recommend mitigation measures.

Financial, Administrative and Logistics

Prepare timely and accurate liquidations with complete supporting documentation in accordance with NP and donor guidelines.

Coordinate with the line manager and Administrative Department on procurement, logistics, and activity preparations.

Ensure proper management and accountability of resources used in field activities.

Communication and Visibility

Ensure donor visibility requirements are integrated into field activities (e.g., banners, logos, acknowledgments).

Provide quality updates, Human interest stories, and photos for communications products coordinated by the Line Manager and Communications team.

Document and highlight community-led protection successes in line with NP and donor visibility and branding guidelines.

Duties Applicable to all staff

Actively work towards the achievement of the goals and mandate of Nonviolent Peaceforce.

Abide by and work in accordance with Nonviolent Peaceforce values and principles as provided in the Global Employee Handbook and existing policies.

Demonstrate a strong commitment to Safeguarding, including the prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), harassment, and discrimination, and the protection of all community members, staff, and partners from harm.

Comply at all times with NP’s Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and reporting procedures.

Contribute to a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment, both internally and in interactions with communities and stakeholders.

Qualifications and Competencies

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Public Health, Gender Studies, Psychology, International Development, or a related field.

Minimum of 2 years’ experience working in SRH, GBV, protection, or related humanitarian or development programs.

Practical knowledge of SRH and GBV issues, including survivor-centered approaches, confidentiality, and ethical considerations.

Experience working with vulnerable and marginalized populations in community or humanitarian settings.

Familiarity with community engagement, protection mechanisms, and local government coordination is an advantage.

Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and basic data management tools.

Willingness and ability to travel regularly to project sites, often in remote or challenging environments.

Familiarity with local conflict dynamics and community engagement in Mindanao.

Commitment to NP’s principles of nonviolence, impartiality, and inclusivity.

Preferred Qualifications

A master’s degree or further training in Public Health, Gender Studies, Social Work, or a related field.

Training or experience in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programs.

Experience working in conflict or emergency settings with communities affected by SRH and GBV issues.

Knowledge of international guidelines for SRH and GBV protection.

Experience working with local governments, health services, and community groups.

Familiarity with reporting and monitoring tools for SRH and GBV.

Ability to speak local languages besides English is a plus.

Experience in dealing with armed groups, the military and with local and national government officials.

Resident of Cotabato City or nearby municipalities/cities.

Required Skills

Understanding on civil protection and human rights frameworks.

Understanding of conflict dynamics in Mindanao and Maguindanao in particular.

Understanding of the Humanitarian and DO NO HARM principles.

Knowledge and understanding in peace making, peacekeeping and peace building and social cohesion concepts.

Report writing skills.

Preferred Skills

Able to communicate in the local language or dialect.

Familiarity with the project locations in BARMM.

Knowledge and understanding of the Normalization process and the different peace mechanisms.

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 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

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