Protection Officer

ABOUT Lutheran World Federation (LWF)

LWF World Service Ethiopia is a registered foreign charity which has been operating in Ethiopia since 1973 implementing various development and humanitarian projects in different parts of Ethiopia.  LWF World Service Ethiopia works closely with the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), the Ethiopian Government, UN organizations and other funding partners. Its thematic areas include promotion of food security and sustainable livelihood, sustainable natural resources management, emergency preparedness, response and rehabilitation, and capacity building.  

LWF World Service is the humanitarian and development arm of the Lutheran World Federation. We are a widely recognized, international, faith-based organization working in over 20 countries. We seek to bring people of all backgrounds together in the common quest for justice, peace, and reconciliation in an increasingly complex and fragmented world.

A commitment to the human rights of every individual, regardless of their status, guides our work, actions, and operations. We are particularly known for our timely, compassionate, and professional humanitarian work, and for our field presence in hard-to-reach areas. Our work is people-centered and community- based. Above all, we work with the most vulnerable, and in order to claim and uphold their rights, we engage proactively with local government and community structures.

Job Purpose

Under the guidance of Protection Coordinator, the Protection Officer is responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring protection interventions—including general protection, GBV prevention and response, Child Protection, psychosocial support, and community‑based protection—in LWF operational areas. The role ensures the integration of protection principles across program interventions and strengthens community and institutional response mechanisms.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Programme Planning and Implementation

• Design, plan, implement, and monitor Protection, GBV, Child Protection, and Psychosocial Support (PSS) activities in LWF operational woredas.
• Lead project activities related to, GBV prevention and response, child protection case management, peacebuilding, and community‑based protection approaches.
• Ensure protection mainstreaming across all programme sectors.
• Support and nurture sustainable mechanisms that promote the participation of vulnerable groups, including children, GBV survivors, persons with disabilities, and other individuals at risk.

2. Capacity Building and Community Engagement

• Provide capacity‑building support to community‑based structures, rights holders, and duty bearers on protection, GBV, child protection, and PSS.
• Conduct training for staff and target communities on relevant protection thematic areas.
• Work with formal and informal community institutions to establish and strengthen community support structures.
• Facilitate the establishment or reactivation of Complaints and Response Mechanism (CRM) committees, ensuring functionality, transparency, and community participation.

3. Coordination, Representation, and Partnerships

• Coordinate with local authorities, partners, and UN agencies for beneficiary targeting, referrals and for humanitarian assistance to target communities.
• Represent LWF in protection coordination forums and cluster meetings at regional and local levels, as required.
• Collaborate with partners to develop or update Child Protection and GBV referral pathways, particularly in IDP settings.
• Work closely with the Community‑Based Protection structure at district and community levels.

4. Monitoring, Accountability, and Reporting

• Maintain a strong protection presence through regular field monitoring visits and reporting.
• Engage directly with persons of concern, host communities, authorities, and partners to identify protection risks and trends.
• Ensure that the needs, capacities, and perspectives of diverse population groups—women, men, children, youth, older persons, and persons with disabilities—are reflected in protection plans and responses.
• Support operational teams in reviewing progress, identifying gaps, and implementing corrective actions in a timely and cost‑effective manner.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in law, social studies and related fields from a recognized university.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience, preferably with an international NGO, in protection programming.
• Prior experience in working hard-to-reach areas

Skills, Attributes, and Competencies

• Experience working with institutional donors and familiarity with donor compliance requirements (e.g. GAC, ECHO, EU, UN agencies, SIDA, PRM).
• Exposure to multi‑sectoral programming (Protection, Food Security, Livelihoods, WASH) is an advantage.
• Basic knowledge of CHS Accountability Standards and humanitarian principles, including Code of Conduct, Protection, and Age and Disability Inclusion.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently and under minimal supervision, including in resource‑constrained environments.
• Creative, adaptable, and solution‑oriented.
• Very good written and spoken English, with the ability to produce clear and informative reports.
• Previous experience in an INGO setting is an added advantage.
• Computer literacy, including experience with SPSS and Kobo Collect and other similar tools.

How To Apply

• Interested candidates who meet the above requirement can send ONLY detailed C.V and application letter through ethiojobs. 
• Women are highly encouraged to apply and only short-listed applicants will be contacted.