Senior Protection Officer (Philippines Nationals Only)

Job Title:                                          Senior Protection Officer

Department:                                     Programming

Division:                                                    Programme Implementation

Duty Station:                                    Cotabato City

Area of Responsibility (AoR):          Maguindanao, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato, SGAs

Line Manager:                                  Project Coordinator

Line Management Responsibility: None

Position Type/Level of Effort:          Full-time

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organization. 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 EU-funded SUSTAIN 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.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Senior Protection Officer (SPO) supports the implementation of protection activities in line with the project agreements and Nonviolent Peaceforce’s (NP Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). The SPO’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 donor requirements.

SPOs implement project activities across multiple field sites. They play a vital role in advancing the project’s goals by ensuring that activities are contextually appropriate, conflict-sensitive, and responsive to the needs of the local communities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Project implementation and Field Activities

 

• Implement daily field activities according to approved work plans and the project’s logical framework.
• Assist in planning and organizing SRH and GBV-related initiatives such as community outreach, awareness-raising, trainings, and support services.
• Support the establishment and operation of safe spaces, referral pathways, and survivor-centered approaches.
• Coordinate closely with local health providers, protection actors, and community groups to ensure integrated and effective service delivery.
• Engage communities to promote awareness and prevention of SRH and GBV issues, while respecting cultural sensitivities.
• Facilitate trainings, dialogues, and community consultations aimed at building local capacity for conflict prevention and protection.
• Provide a protective presence in conflict-prone areas, including accompanying vulnerable individuals when necessary.
• Prepare and submit activity reports to the line manager in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with the line manager to adjust plans and activities based on evolving field dynamics and feedback.

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 to support coordinated efforts on SRH and GBV prevention and response.
• Represent the organization in local forums, task forces, or protection clusters focused on SRH and GBV, when delegated, providing updates and recommendations to leadership to inform programmatic decisions.
• Strengthen and support local Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) networks and community-based protection mechanisms that include components addressing GBV risks and reproductive health emergencies.
• Promote inclusive dialogue and build the capacity of women, youth, and marginalized groups on protection principles, SRH rights, GBV prevention, and survivor-centered approaches, empowering them to participate actively in peacebuilding and protection efforts.
• Foster social cohesion by supporting community-led safety initiatives that integrate SRH and GBV awareness and protection measures, ensuring these efforts align with program strategies for greater impact.

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 donor guidelines.
• Coordinate with the Field Coordinator and Administrative Department on procurement, logistics, and activity preparations

• Ensure proper management and accountability of resources used in field activities.

 

Communication and Visibility

• Ensure 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.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Public Health, Gender Studies, Psychology, International Development, or a related field.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience working in SRH, GBV, protection, or related humanitarian or development programs.
• Practical knowledge of SRH and GBV issues, including survivor-centered approaches, confidentiality, and ethical considerations.
• Experience working with vulnerable and marginalized populations in community or humanitarian settings.
• Familiarity with community engagement, protection mechanisms, and local government coordination is an advantage.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and basic data management tools.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to project sites, often in remote or challenging environments.

• Familiarity with local conflict dynamics and community engagement in Mindanao.
• Commitment to NP’s principles of nonviolence, impartiality, and inclusivity.

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

 

• A master’s degree or further training in Public Health, Gender Studies, Social Work, or a related field.
• Training or experience in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) programs.
• Experience working in conflict or emergency settings with communities affected by SRH and GBV issues.
• Knowledge of international guidelines for SRH and GBV protection.
• Experience working with local governments, health services, and community groups.
• Familiarity with reporting and monitoring tools for SRH and GBV.
• Ability to speak local languages besides English is a plus.

• Experience in dealing with armed groups, the military and with local and national government officials.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

 

Required

 

• Understanding on civil protection and human rights frameworks
• Understanding of conflict dynamics in Mindanao and Maguindanao in particular.
• Understanding of the Humanitarian and DO NO HARM principles
• Knowledge and understanding in peace making, peacekeeping and peace building and social cohesion concepts
• Report writing skills

 

Preferred

 

• Able to communicate in the local language or dialect
• Resident of Cotabato City or nearby city/municipality
• If not a resident, willing to relocate to Cotabato City
• 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), 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 Wednesday, 3rd September 2025
• Candidates may be selected before the closing date; apply early
• 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.