Protection Officer - Western (Philippine Nationals Only)

Job Title: Protection Officer - Western

Department: Programming

Division: Programme Implementation

Duty Station: Tawi-Tawi

Area of Responsibility (AoR): Tawi-Tawi

Line Manager: Project Coordinator

Line Management Responsibility: None

Position Type/Level of Effort: Full-time (100%)

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organisation. We work with people affected by violent conflicts to enhance their security and dignity through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). We work to reduce violence, protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath, and help transform the world’s response to conflict situations.

OVERVIEW

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is an international, non-governmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, that has been working in the Philippines since 2007 to protect civilians and strengthen local peace structures through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). As part of the GFFO-funded BRAVE Project, NP collaborates with local civil society and conflict-affected communities across BARMM and adjacent provinces – including Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Norte, SGA, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi – to deter violence and build sustainable protection mechanisms. NP’s work includes providing protective accompaniment to at-risk civilians and organizations, monitoring and reporting on safety concerns raised by community members, facilitating safe spaces for inclusive dialogue and community-led conflict resolution, supporting the creation of Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) systems, and training local leaders and networks in UCP methodologies. Through these efforts, NP helps ensure that civilian protection remains central to peacebuilding and social cohesion initiatives in conflict-affected areas supported by the GFFO.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Protection Officer-Western (PO) supports the implementation of protection activities in line with the project agreements and Nonviolent Peaceforce’s (NP Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). The PO’s work focuses on providing a protective presence, strengthening community-based protection mechanisms, engaging with local stakeholders, and promoting inclusive dialogue, aligned with NP’s mandate and GFFO donor requirements.

PO will carry out project activities across Tawi – Tawi area. They are critical to advancing the BRAVE project’s goals by ensuring activities are contextually appropriate, conflict-sensitive, and responsive to local needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Project implementation and Field Activities

• Implement daily field activities in line with approved work plans and the project’s logical framework.
• Deliver protection-related initiatives, including Civilian Protection – Early Warning and Early Response (CP-EWER), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) awareness, Child Protection (CP), and Human Rights promotion.
• Facilitate trainings, dialogues, and community consultations to build local capacity for conflict prevention and protection.
• Provide a protective presence in areas at risk of conflict, including accompanying vulnerable individuals when needed.
• In collaboration with the M&E Officer, develop templates and tools for data collection and analysis related to field activities.
• Collaborate with the Field Coordinator to adapt plans based on emerging field dynamics.

Community Engagement and Social Cohesion

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local government units (LGUs), traditional and religious leaders, civil society actors, peacekeeping mechanisms, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent NP in local forums, task forces, or protection clusters, when delegated by the Field Coordinator, and report updates and recommendations to both the Field Coordinator and Programme Manager.

• Strengthen and support local EWER networks and other community-based protection mechanisms.
• Promote inclusive dialogue and build capacities of women, youth, and other marginalized groups in UCP principles, peacebuilding, and protection strategies.
• Promote social cohesion through community-led safety initiatives, integrating guidance from the Programme Manager for cross-field consistency and impact.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Support the development and use tools for data collection, analysis, and learning in coordination with the M&E Officer and Field Coordinator.

• Document field results, success stories, and lessons learned to inform adaptative programming and donor reporting.
• Ensure timely and accurate data entry, back-up, and secure filing of reports and activity documentation in both hard and digital formats.

Information Management and Reporting

• Accurately record attendance and participation data for all field activities (training sessions, meetings, and other activities) in both digital and physical formats to ensure reliable record-keeping and easy retrieval.
• Maintain and update databases tracking beneficiary details, protection issues, and project outputs, ensuring accuracy, data security and confidentiality.
• Ensure that all entered data is accurate, complete, and consistent, and performing regular checks to validate data quality.
• Generate periodic reports and data summaries to support decision-making and communication needs.

Risk Management and Security

• Monitor local security dynamics and promptly report incidents or emerging risks to the Field Coordinator and designated security focal points.
• Adhere strictly to NP's safety and security protocols during field operations or in engaging in high-risk areas.
• Contribute field-level insights to risk assessments and recommend mitigation measures.

Financial, Administrative and Logistics

• Prepare timely and accurate liquidations with complete supporting documentation, in accordance with NP and GFFO donor guidelines.
• Coordinate closely with the Field Coordinator and Administrative Department on procurement, logistics, and activity preparations
• Ensure proper use, management, and accountability of resources allocated to field activities.

Communication and Visibility

• Ensure GFFO donor visibility requirements are integrated into field activities (e.g., banners, logos, acknowledgments).
• Provide quality updates, stories, and photos for communications products coordinated by the Programme Manager and Communications team.
• Document and highlight community-led protection successes in line with NP and donor visibility and branding guidelines.

Duties Applicable to all staff

• Actively work towards the achievement of the goals and mandate of Nonviolent Peaceforce.
• Abide by and work in accordance with Nonviolent Peaceforce values and principles as provided in the Global Employee Handbook and existing policies.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to Safeguarding, including the prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), harassment, and discrimination, and the protection of all community members, staff, and partners from harm.
• Comply at all times with NP’s Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and reporting procedures.
• Contribute to a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment, both internally and in interactions with communities and stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s degree in peace and conflict studies, social work, development studies, or related fields.
• At least 2–3 years of relevant field experience in community protection, peacebuilding, or humanitarian work.
• Strong facilitation, interpersonal, and coordination skills.
• Familiarity with local conflict dynamics and community engagement in Mindanao.
• Commitment to NP’s principles of nonviolence, impartiality, and inclusivity.
• Demonstrated commitment to humanitarian principles, Safeguarding, and PSEA, including willingness to adhere to organizational policies and standards of conduct.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Certificate or diploma in gender education, peacebuilding, or nonviolent peacekeeping
• Experience working with NGOs or humanitarian organization
• Experience in post-conflict or conflict-affected settings
• Familiarity with the ZAMBASUL context
• Experience in community organizing or mobilization
• Experience engaging with armed groups, the military, and local or national government officials

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Required

• Understanding of civilian protection and human rights frameworks
• Understanding of conflict dynamics in Mindanao, particularly in ZAMBASUL
• Understanding of humanitarian principles and the Do No Harm approach
• Knowledge of peace-making, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, and social cohesion concepts
• Strong report-writing skills

Preferred

• Able to communicate in the local language or dialect
• Familiarity with the project locations in BARMM
• Knowledge and understanding of the Normalization process and the different peace mechanisms

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a CV (max. 2 pages) and cover letter (max. 1 page), through our website, detailing their experience and how they qualify for the role. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Address application to:

DELSY RONNIE

Head of Mission

Nonviolent Peaceforce

• The closing date for applications is Friday, 26th December 2025
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and qualified candidates may be shortlisted and selected before the closing date; early application is strongly encouraged.
• As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a technical assignment before participating in an interview.

SPECIAL NOTICE

Nonviolent Peaceforce is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, communities we work with, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance and complies with best practices in the Humanitarian and Development sector.
NP expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We prioritise ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. NP also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

NO FEE

We never ask for payment as part of our selection process, and we always contact candidates via our corporate accounts and platforms. If you are approached for payment, this is likely to be fraudulent. Please check whether the role you are interested in is posted here on our website.