Protection Specialist

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In times of disaster and hardship, and in more than 40 countries worldwide, we partner to implement bold solutions, helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within, both now and for the future. Mercy Corps has been present in Ethiopia since 2004, working closely with the government, private sector, and civil society actors to drive transformative ideas and build a more resilient country. Our programs are designed to be responsive to and influenced by participants and stakeholders. With the launch of Mercy Corps Global Strategy, Pathway to Possibility, the country office is poised to operationalize its three-year strategy. Our vision is to enhance the resilience of climate- and conflict-affected communities through market systems development, ensuring improved livelihoods, access to food, and safe and clean water.

In Ethiopia, our strategy focuses on four outcome areas:

1. Economically marginalized populations have improved and diversified livelihoods, income, and assets.
2. Pastoralists, farmers, and households have access to sustainably produced, safe, nutritious food.
3. Social cohesion and inclusive governance processes are built in crisis-affected communities.
4. People have equitable, sustained access to clean water and sanitation for domestic and productive use.

We currently operate in six regional states – Afar, Gambella, Oromia, Somali, Amhara, and South Ethiopia. Working with a diverse base of donors, including USAID, European Union, GAC, Hilton Foundation, United Nations, JOA, Sweden, EKN, and other foundations, Mercy Corps Ethiopia empowers people to recover from crises, build better lives, and transform their communities for good.

Program Summary

Mercy Corps Ethiopia currently secured USAID/BHA funded multisectoral response program entitled ‘Humanitarian Assistance for Conflict-Affected Populations (HACAP)” in Oromia, Afar and Somali regions. The goal of the proposed program is to increase access to Life-saving Services for Conflict-affected IDPs, Returnees, and Vulnerable Populations through provision of integrated Multi-Sectoral Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Promotion (WASH), Health, Nutrition, Agriculture, Protection, and Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) support in seven Woredas of the three regions.

General Position Summary

The Protection Specialist will lead and support planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating gender, protection, and GBV interventions for HACAP program, which is under operation in Adadle, Berano, and Abakorow Woredas of the Somali Region, and in Gumi Eldalo and Liben Woredas of the Oromia Region. This position ensures the technical quality and integration of these activities across humanitarian programs and addresses related concerns through assessments and strategies. The Specialist will also contribute to business development, provide capacity-building training, and represent Mercy Corps in regional and Zone coordination forums and platforms.

Essential Job Responsibilities

Strategy & Vision

• Collaborate closely with Mercy Corps team members to integrate gender, protection, social inclusion, and GBV concerns across humanitarian programs.
• Work with government and non-governmental actors to identify gender, protection, GBV, and social norm issues for project designs and activities.

Program Management

• Coordinate and implement GBV and protection-related activities.
• Lead protection and GBV-focused projects across the field office.
• Provide training in GBV and CP case management, psychosocial support, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Conduct safety audits, protection risk assessments, and share information with service providers and protection clusters.
• Build capacity for service providers and represent the organization in protection sub-cluster meetings.
• Integrate gender, protection, GBV, and social inclusion concerns across program assessments.
• Raise community awareness on protection principles and promote women’s leadership within community structures.
• Manage the provision of dignity kits and cash support for affected community members.
• Update GBV service providers’ mapping and develop regional GBV Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Team Management

• Provide technical guidance and on-the-job training for the field-level GBV team.
• Build the capacity of project teams in gender mainstreaming, protection, GBV, and social inclusion.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback.
• Foster a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive for excellence.

Influence & Representation

• Coordinate with government, development, and humanitarian actors to promote gender equality, protection, social inclusion, and GBV prevention.
• Represent Mercy Corps in regional and Zone level forums and networks focused on gender, GBV, and protection.
• Uphold the image and values of Mercy Corps.

Program and Proposal Development

• Contribute to proposal development to incorporate GBV and protection issues with appropriate budget allocation.
• Support field-level humanitarian teams with technical guidance and capacity building for high-quality gender integration.
• Conduct assessments to determine community needs and identify partnership opportunities.

Security

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies.
• Ensure team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

• Support accountability efforts to program participants, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Engage communities as equal partners in designing, monitoring, and evaluating projects.

Ongoing Learning

• Dedicate 5% of time to learning activities for personal and professional growth.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Promote a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.
• Support the recruitment of diverse teams and an inclusive work environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

• Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that actively seeks diverse backgrounds and skills to strengthen our organization. We are committed to a respectful and inclusive work environment, free from discrimination.

Safeguarding & Ethics

• Mercy Corps is committed to treating everyone with respect and dignity. We have zero tolerance for abuse and harassment and adhere to the core principles of the UN Secretary-General and IASC. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and annually.