Protection Specialist

Division: Programs.
Location: Ad-Dhali’.
Reports to: Project Manager.

Organization & Background:

A humanitarian, independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization that works across Yemen. The organization provides direct assistance for conflict-affected populations, IDPs, host communities and vulnerable groups in the conflict areas. The organization, in partnership with international agencies, acts during crisis situations, and goes the extra mile to engage in other contexts where its competencies will add value. The organization promotes durable solutions for conflict-affected populations and helps to restore services, education, economy, wellbeing and health.

Job Purpose:

The Protection Specialist leads and coordinates protection-related activities to ensure proper implementation and ensure the integration of gender equality and protection principles, throughout all project activities. 
The incumbent must be able to contribute to or lead solutions-oriented protection interventions and based on a consultative process with multi-functional teams and partners. The incumbent must also have the ability to forge strong partnerships with government entities, other stakeholders to facilitate the operations protection objectives. She/He will coordinate, manage & supervise the direct implementation of all activities and ensure that the project activities integrate gender considerations and mainstream vulnerable groups. S/He will supervise a team of project staff to effectively design, plan, implement, monitor & document the protection activities. S/He is also tasked with providing technical assistance and guidance in the mainstreaming of protection related issues within the project.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervising & implementing protection-focused interventions.
• Providing training and capacity-building support to project staff, partners, and community members to enhance their understanding of gender equality, protection principles, and best practices.
• Working closely with project teams, partners, and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination, information sharing, and collaboration on gender and protection-related issues.
• Coordinate and support all Protection initiatives and components to ensure timely, effective and quality activity set-up, implementation, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Conduct regular field visits to assess project quality and progress toward objectives and facilitate collective problem solving with staff and other stakeholders to address challenges identified.
• Ensure that all interventions are in compliance with organization's program framework and national policies.
• Promptly identify and recommend solutions to technical issues.
• Ensure proper documentation of all project activities.
• Track and analyze project progress and results relevant to protection, gender and inclusion and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Identify and address potential risks related to protection issues.
• Provide assistance and guidance to individuals facing protection violations.
• Collaborate with local authorities to ensure their support for protection initiatives.
• Track and report on protection concerns and incidents.
• Integrate gender and protection considerations into project activities.
• Facilitate and support community-led protection initiatives.
• Engage stakeholders for feedback and input on project activities.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange on protection and gender equality.
• Work with the communications team on awareness campaigns and materials.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop the overall success of the project.

Organizational Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the organization’s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the organization.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment. 

Safeguarding:

• Read, understand, and adhere to the organization’s Safeguarding Policy, sign the organization’s Code of Conduct, and strive to promote a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, and abuse in all working environments.
• Report any concerns about the well-being of a child or vulnerable person and report any concerns about the behavior of the organization’s representative in relation to safeguarding.

Qualifications, Experiences, and Skills:

• University degree in Law, Psychology, Anthropology, Gender Studies, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience with supervisory and budget oversight responsibilities.
• Proven experience in protection work within humanitarian/recovery settings.
• Strong skills in case management, referral systems, and protection mainstreaming.
• Familiar with protection and gender-based approaches and standards.
• Demonstrated coordination with sectoral service providers and referral pathways.
• Skilled in monitoring tools and information management.
• Strong communication, report writing, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with teams and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage stress, meet deadlines, and solve complex problems.
• Proactive, collaborative, and committed to continuous learning and knowledge sharing.