COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale is currently recruiting a Gender and Protection Officer to support humanitarian and development interventions in Yobe State, Nigeria. This opportunity is ideal for experienced professionals passionate about gender equality, protection mainstreaming, and humanitarian action in conflict-affected settings.
Founded in 1965, COOPI is a leading international humanitarian NGO headquartered in Milan, Italy, with operations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The organization works to combat poverty, protect human dignity, and promote sustainable development worldwide.
About the Role: Gender and Protection Officer
The Gender and Protection Officer will play a critical role in ensuring that gender, protection, and accountability principles are fully integrated across all project activities, in line with Humanitarian Principles, SPHERE Standards, UNDP Gender Policies, and IASC Guidelines.
Working under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, the officer will support the implementation of a UNDP-funded project by mainstreaming gender and protection across all sectors and strengthening accountability to affected populations.
Key Responsibilities
- Gender & Protection Mainstreaming
- Ensure project activities are implemented in a gender-, age-, and protection-sensitive manner
- Mainstream gender and protection across beneficiary identification, verification, and service delivery
- Apply the Do No Harm principle in all interventions
Community Engagement & Accountability
- Organize and facilitate Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and gender dialogue sessions
- Establish and manage complaints and feedback mechanisms
- Support equal participation of women, men, youth, and vulnerable groups
Capacity Building
- Train project staff on gender, GBV prevention, safeguarding, and protection standards
- Lead awareness-raising activities and social behavior change communication initiatives
- Strengthen data protection, confidentiality, and ethical reporting practices
Protection Analysis & Monitoring
- Conduct protection risk assessments and gender analyses
- Monitor changes in the protection environment and document emerging risks
- Coordinate safe and confidential referral pathways for GBV, child protection, and other protection cases
Reporting & Coordination
- Prepare weekly, monthly, and progress reports using agreed indicators
- Document success stories, lessons learned, and best practices
- Represent COOPI in protection, GBV, and child protection coordination forums
Required Qualifications and Experience
- To be considered for this role, applicants should meet the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Humanitarian Studies, or related fields
- Minimum of 4 years’ experience in gender programming, protection, safeguarding, or GBV interventions
- Strong knowledge of gender justice, women’s rights, and power analysis frameworks
- Experience working in humanitarian settings, especially in Northern Nigeria
- Excellent facilitation, training, and community engagement skills
- Knowledge of Hausa and/or Kanuri is a strong advantage
Working Conditions
- Frequent travel to rural and hard-to-reach communities
- Strong commitment to gender equality, conflict sensitivity, and inclusion
- Collaboration with multidisciplinary humanitarian teams
Why Work with COOPI?
- Be part of a respected international humanitarian organization
- Contribute to peacebuilding, protection, and gender equality in conflict-affected communities
- Work in a values-driven organization committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Opportunity to influence meaningful, life-changing interventions
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply through COOPI – Cooperazione Internazionale via the official Google Form application link provided by the organization.
👉 Apply now to join COOPI and help advance gender equality and protection in Yobe State, Nigeria.
0 Comments