JOB OPPORTUNITY

 Internal/External/ 

Reference No:  REC/0102 /26Job title:           Senior Protection OfficerLocation:          Amhara-DebrebrhanReports to:Project ManagerNumber of Posts01(One)Closing date:   April -11-2026 due to urgency, application will be reviewed on arroling basis

About GOAL

 GOAL’s mission is to work with the most vulnerable communities to help them respond to and recover from humanitarian crises, and to assist them to build transcendent solutions to mitigate poverty and vulnerability.

 GOAL is a non-for-profit organization that has been working in Ethiopia for over 30 years across all the region of the country towards ensuring the poorest and most vulnerable in our world and those affected by humanitarian crises have access to the fundamental rights of life, including but not limited to adequate shelter, food and livelihoods, water and sanitation, nutrition, healthcare and education. GOAL implements a range of multi-sectoral development, resilience, recovery and humanitarian responses Programmes by being sensitive to cross-cutting issues including gender, accountably, child protection, HIV/AIDS.

 We envision a world where poverty no longer exist, where vulnerable communities are resilient, where barriers to wellbeing are removed and where everyone has equal rights and opportunities. GOAL Ethiopia’s main donors are Irish Aid, USAID/OFDA, EHF, ECHO and other private donors.

 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ROLE

 The Senior Protection Officer is responsible for leading, coordinating, and implementing GOAL’s field-based protection interventions, psychosocial support services and training activities. The Senior Protection Officer will be responsible for coaching and technical supervision of protection Officers in all GE protection Operation sites. The position holder works to strengthen the psychosocial protection of Internal Displaced Peoples (IDPs), IDP returnees and host communities in particular children (in family or unaccompanied), women, and other vulnerable groups, through the implementation of Gender-based violence (GBV), child protection (CP), and dissemination of Psychological First Aid (PFA) and other PSS protocols, under the technical supervision of the Protection Advisor and Regional Area Manager. The Senior Protection Officer will also be responsible for all the PSS activities in one assigned Zone. In coordination with the Protection and Safeguarding HOD, Advisor Protection officer, he/she will also support the overall coordination, implementation and monitoring   of GBV and CP activities implemented in the project intervention areas and provide support and guidance to the Protection officers based at woreda level.

 KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY/DUTIES

 Key Duties/Task list

1. Protection Mainstreaming Leadership

• Lead implementation of protection mainstreaming across all EHF and USG project sectors (WASH, Nutrition, Cash, ESNFI, Livelihoods, etc.). 

• Ensure programs apply protection principles: safety, dignity, access, participation, and accountability. 

• Conduct protection risk analyses and integrate mitigation measures into project design and implementation. 

• Provide technical guidance to sector teams to ensure participative and conflict-sensitive programming. 

• Support development and review of protection mainstreaming action plans. 

2. Protection Monitoring and Analysis

• Oversee protection monitoring activities and ensure quality data collection and analysis. 

• Identify protection risks, violations, and service gaps affecting vulnerable populations. 

• Produce protection analysis reports and recommendations to inform program adaptation. 

• Ensure age, sex considerations are integrated into assessments. 

3. Safeguarding, PSEA and Accountability

• Strengthening implementation of safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) standards. 

• Support establishment and monitoring of Complaint and Feedback Mechanisms (CFM).  

• Ensure safe referral pathways are functional and accessible. 

• Conduct awareness sessions on safeguarding, protection risks, and reporting mechanisms. 

• Ensure confidentiality and survivor-centered approaches. 

4. Capacity Building and Technical Support

• Provide technical coaching and supervision to Protection Officers and sector staff. 

• Deliver training courses on: 

• Protection Mainstreaming 

  • Do No Harm principles 

  • Safe and dignified programming 

  • Child Protection integration 

  • PSEA and safeguarding 

• Develop protection guidance tools and IEC materials. 

• 5. Coordination and Representation

• Represent the organization in Woreda level Protection Cluster and Inter-agency coordination forums. 

• Maintain coordination with government authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and community structures. 

• Strengthen collaboration with referral service providers. 

• Contribute to inter-agency protection assessments and joint initiatives. 

• 6. Program Quality, Monitoring and Reporting

• Develop protection mainstreaming indicators aligned with EHF and USG requirements.  

• Monitor implementation quality through regular field visits. 

• Ensure timely submission of weekly and monthly reports. 

• Contribute to proposal development, donor reporting, and learning documentation. 

• Support integration of protection indicators into MEAL systems. 

• 7. Community Engagement

• Promote community participation and support of vulnerable groups. 

• Support community-based protection approaches. 

• Ensure feedback from communities informs program decisions. 

• Facilitate awareness sessions on rights, services, and protection risks. 

• 8. Compliance and Ethical Practice

• Ensure adherence to humanitarian principles and Core Humanitarian Standards. 

• Uphold organizational safeguarding, child protection, and confidentiality policies. 

• Promote ethical conduct and respectful engagement with communities. 

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Education, Social Work, Sociology, Development Studies, Law, or related field. 

Experience

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in humanitarian protection programming. 

• At least 2 years in a senior or supervisory role. 

• Demonstrated experience in protection mainstreaming within multi-sector humanitarian programs. 

• Experience working with EHF, USG, ECHO or similar donor-funded projects preferred. 

• Strong background in Child Protection, safeguarding, and community-based protection.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of humanitarian protection frameworks and standards. 

• Experience in capacity building and staff supervision. 

• Excellent coordination and stakeholder engagement skills. 

• Strong analytical and report writing skills. 

• Ability to work independently in complex humanitarian settings. 

• Cultural sensitivity and strong interpersonal communication skills. 

• Good computer skills (MS Office, reporting tools). 

Languages

• Fluency in English and Amharic is required. 

Core Competencies

• Accountability  

• Integrity and professionalism 

• Team leadership and mentoring 

• Strategic thinking 

• Communication and coordination 

• Commitment to safeguarding and CP

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Equal Opportunities

‘GOAL highly promotes Equality, diversity and inclusion and works with women and men, People with disabilities, and employees of various ages including youth, supports their empowerment and appreciates their achievements constantly’ 

‘GOAL also encourages applications from diverse candidates including women, people with disabilities, people with diverse backgrounds, and youth to apply.’ 

‘GOAL ET has zero tolerance to discrimination on the basis of gender, age, marital and Pregnancy or 

How To Apply

  APPLICATION PROCEDURE: 

Interested and qualified applicants need to submit ONLY once their non - non-returnable application with CV for one vacancy. The vacancy reference number, along with the title & Duty station, needs to be written in the application letter. 

• Applicants can directly apply through the green “Apply now” button

• Please be sure your application and CV should be in PDF or Word only. (The system couldn’t accept other than PDF and Word.)

GOAL strongly encourages female candidates to apply!

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview and exam.

Shortlisted candidates will need to submit other supporting documents upon request at a later stage.

GOAL is not able to contribute towards any costs incurred by candidates during the recruitment process

Job Requirements The candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, Education, Social Work, Sociology, Development Studies, Law, or related field. Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in humanitarian protection programming.  How to Apply Apply using the provided link below.