Protection Officer at People in Need in Samangan, Afghanistan

Protection Officer

1. PEOPLE IN NEED AFGHANISTAN

People in Need (PIN) is a Czech organization established in 1992, currently working in around 40 countries on human rights and humanitarian aid. Globally, PIN is recognized as a leading actor in Education in Emergencies and actively contributes to international coordination mechanisms and humanitarian clusters, including education, food security, nutrition, shelter, and WASH. In Afghanistan, PIN has been operating since 2001, delivering humanitarian and development assistance to communities affected by conflict, economic crisis, and natural disasters. Over the years, PIN has established itself as a trusted and experienced actor, with strong acceptance among local communities, authorities, and stakeholders, enabling access to some of the most vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations. Throughout its presence in the country, PIN has supported over 850,000 people across multiple regions. The Organization has remained operational through periods of significant political and social change, continuing to provide life-saving and resilience-building assistance to more than 250,000 individuals in recent years. It works in key sectors including food security and livelihoods, education in emergencies, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and protection.

2. ROLE SUMMARY

Duty Station: Samangan and Wardak

Reporting Line: Project Coordinator

Manages Staff: Yes

The Protection Officer is responsible for the implementation of protection programming at field level, including community-based child protection activities, MHPSS activities, awareness-raising and sensitization activities, capacity strengthening of community structures and referrals. They work in close coordination with the partner to ensure that activities are mutually reinforcing.

The Protection Officer supervises Community Outreach Workers, MHPSS Counsellors and Community Support Centers (CSCs) officers, and works closely with communities, partners and service providers to ensure quality implementation of activities, effective referral pathways, and adherence to child protection, safeguarding and inclusion standards.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Implementation, program quality and technical supervision

• Support planning and implementation of child protection and MHPSS activities in project locations in accordance with child protection principles, safeguarding standards and project guidelines.

• Organize and facilitate awareness-raising, sensitization and community engagement activities with children, caregivers and community members.

• Support implementation of child protection integration activities, including community-based risk mapping, safety assessments and mitigation actions.

• Supervise and provide day-to-day support to Community Outreach Workers, CSC officers and MHPSS counsellors.

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor activity quality, adherence to child protection, safeguarding and inclusion standards, and identify areas for improvement, for PIN and for the partners.

Capacity Building and Community Engagement

• Support establishment and strengthening of community-based child protection structures and mechanisms.
• Support awareness-raising and sensitization activities on child protection, safeguarding, referrals and available services.
• Strengthen community capacity to identify, prevent and respond to child protection risks and concerns.

Referrals and Service Mapping

• Maintain up-to-date information on available services.
• Identify children and families requiring additional support and facilitate safe referrals in accordance with established referral procedures.
• Coordinate with service providers, partners and community structures to support timely and appropriate referrals.
• Follow up on referrals as required and maintain referral records in line with confidentiality and data protection requirements.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Collect and submit activity data, attendance records and other required programme documentation.
• Support routine monitoring activities, assessments and beneficiary feedback mechanisms.
• Contribute to activity reports and documentation of lessons learned and good practices.
• Support monitoring of partner activities to ensure standards are followed.

Coordination and Representation

• Maintain regular communication with community leaders, service providers, local authorities and other stakeholders to support programme implementation and referrals.
• Participate in local and sub-national child protection coordination meetings as requested by the supervisor.
• Support visits, assessments and monitoring activities conducted by supervisors, partners and donors.

4. PIN COMPETENCY MODEL

PIN Competency Model is a framework used to define, assess, and develop the behaviours, skills, and attitudes expected from staff. It focuses on how people perform their work, not only on their technical knowledge.

The Protection Officer will be recruited, and subsequently evaluated, following the PIN competency areas here below, where the staff is expected to at least meet the expectations as outlined below:

1. Personal integrity and values:

Demonstrates honesty, accountability, and consistency in actions and communication. Adheres to PIN’s values, policies, and ethical standards, addresses inappropriate conduct, and continuously reflects on and improves personal performance.

Committed to gender equity/equality, inclusion, non-discrimination, and the rights of women, children and persons with disabilities. Show empathy, caring and patience.

1. Universal competencies
   • Communication: Communicates clearly and effectively, adapting messages to different audiences. Shares information in a timely manner, listens actively, encourages dialogue, and uses evidence to support decisions and recommendations. Be fluent in communicating on issues of protection (mainstreaming), GBV, gender, and in using the required vocabulary.
   • Cooperation: Builds positive and inclusive working relationships, values diverse perspectives, and promotes teamwork. Shares knowledge, supports collaboration, and addresses conflicts constructively.
   • Resilience/coping with stress: Maintains composure and effectiveness under pressure. Manages stress constructively, remains solution-oriented, and adapts well to challenges and changing circumstances.
2. Specific competencies
   • Problems and tasks solving approach: Analyses issues, identifies root causes, and makes informed decisions. Proactively solves problems, collaborates with others, and seeks practical improvements and innovative solutions.
   • Self-Management: Organizes work effectively, prioritizes tasks, manages resources efficiently, and delivers results on time. Applies sound judgement and balances workload to sustain performance.

5. VACANCY REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, International Development, Education, Human Rights, or related field.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in child protection, protection, social work, community-based programming or related field.
• Experience supervising outreach workers, volunteers or community-based workers.
• Experience facilitating referrals and working with referral pathways, service providers and community structures.
• Experience organizing and facilitating trainings, awareness-raising activities and community engagement initiatives.
• Experience supporting programme monitoring, data collection, reporting and documentation.
• Experience working with local partners, community leaders and other stakeholders is desirable.

Technical Skills

• Good knowledge of child protection principles, referral systems, community-based child protection.
• Basic understanding of confidentiality and data protection principles for handling sensitive case-related information, including secure storage and informed consent
• Cultural sensitivity and communication skills appropriate for working directly with children, adolescents and families in a conservative context, including age-appropriate and gender-sensitive engagement techniques.
• Familiarity with referral pathways and the ability to make timely, appropriate referrals to specialised services (MHPSS, health, legal, GBV) in line with agreed protocols.

Languages

• Fluency in Dari (for Samangan) and Pashto (for Wardak) required.

How to apply: If you are interested in this position, send us your CV and short cover letter via our application form.Please note only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis and the vacancy will be closed when filled. People in Need is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct and committed to promoting the welfare of children and adults with whom People in Need involves. People in Need expects all staff to perform job duties and responsibilities in accordance with People in Need code of conduct and key policies (available at: https://www.peopleinneed.net/key-policies-4142gp). People in Need Staff will undertake the appropriate level of training.All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.