Protection Assistant - Pending Agreement Approval

Responsibilities

A. Field implementation

•     Deliver awareness sessions and community outreach on protection risks, available services, civil documentation, HLP rights, social protection, referral pathways and other topics as assigned, and distribute information materials.

•     Facilitate psychosocial support, recreational and community activities for children, youth, women and men, as planned with the Protection Officer.

•     Identify people with protection needs through screening and protection monitoring, provide initial information on rights and services, and refer them safely to ASO services or other providers, with their informed consent.

•     Support the selection, training and follow-up of community structures (focal points, committees, mediators and volunteers) and take part in community meetings and safety dialogues.

•     Support the organisation of trainings, workshops and round tables for community members, local authorities and service providers (invitations, logistics, attendance, materials).

•     Support ASO’s legal and civil documentation services by informing people about procedures, collecting basic information and referring cases to the legal team.

•     Facilitate the participation of persons with disabilities, older persons, women and others facing barriers, including through home visits where needed.

•     Carry out any other protection or community activity assigned by the Protection Officer or management, in any ASO project or location.

B. Reporting and documentation

•     Report people at risk and urgent protection concerns to the Protection Officer immediately.

•     Keep accurate records of activities and participants (attendance sheets, referral and consent forms, photos with consent) and file them according to ASO procedures.

•     Report activity and participant data to the Protection Officer regularly and prepare weekly reports and other reports as requested.

•     Collect data using ASO monitoring tools, including KoBo, and report any problems in implementation.

•     Take part in weekly and monthly planning and in supervision meetings with the Protection Officer.

C. Coordination

•     Work across ASO projects and coordinate with colleagues in other projects to avoid duplication of activities and beneficiaries and to refer people between services.

•     Keep clear communication with the team and supervisor on protection concerns and any changes in the local context.

•     Maintain good working relationships with community leaders, local authorities, partner agencies and service providers, and keep up to date with the service map for the area.

•     Record working time according to the project(s) worked on, as instructed by management.

D. Safeguarding and accountability

•     Comply with the ASO Code of Conduct, Safeguarding / PSEA Policy and Data Protection Policy, and report any concern through the official channels.

•     Keep beneficiary information confidential and treat everyone with respect, dignity and without discrimination.

•     Apply protection principles: do no harm, informed consent, safety and dignity, meaningful access and participation.

•     Inform community members about ASO’s complaints and feedback mechanism.

E. Other duties

•     Participate in trainings and coaching on services, SOPs and data filing and storage procedures.

•     Maintain positive relationships within the team and support team-building efforts.

•     Support other ASO projects and activities when requested, including covering for colleagues.

•     Perform any other duties related to the nature of the job as directed by the Protection Officer or ASO management. This TOR may be updated according to project and organisational needs.

Experience and competencies

•     1–2 years of experience in protection or related humanitarian / community work.

•     Experience delivering community activities and working with vulnerable groups, including children and women.

•     Basic understanding of protection, psychosocial support and safe referral; previous training in these areas is strongly preferred.

•     Ability to discuss sensitive issues with respect and empathy, and to keep information confidential.

•     Good communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills; problem-solving, creativity and flexibility.

•     Ability to organise work, meet deadlines, stay calm under pressure and pay attention to detail.

•     Willingness to do daily field work and to work overtime when needed.

•     Basic computer skills (Word, Excel); experience with KoBo or mobile data collection is an asset.

•     Willingness to work with and support people from different ethnic and religious groups.

•     Demonstrated interest in humanitarian work and in supporting people affected by conflict.

•     Knowledge of the Tal Afar District context is an asset.

Education

•     Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, law or a relevant field; additional training in protection or PSS is an asset.

Languages

•     Arabic: fluent, spoken and written (required).

•     English: basic to good level is an asset.

•     Kurdish and/or Turkmen: an asset.