Job Description

Program Officer - Protection (Women & Children)

The Program Officer for Protection will support the Senior Program Manager in implementing IMA World Health's integrated GBV, child protection, and psychosocial support interventions across conflict‑affected facilities and adjacent communities in Goma and Nyiragongo. The Officer will oversee strengthening of Clinical Management of Rape (CMR) services, facility‑based psychosocial support, Women & Girls Safe Spaces, and community referral networks, ensuring survivor‑centered, confidential, and trauma‑informed care for women, adolescent girls, and children at risk. Working closely with MoH clinicians, psychosocial staff, community protection committees, and case managers, the Program Officer will ensure quality service delivery, safe identification and referral, adherence to national SOPs, and strong coordination with Protection Cluster partners. The role requires strong field presence, technical coaching, and the ability to operate effectively in insecure, high‑risk humanitarian environments.

Key Areas of Intervention:

Strengthening Clinical Management of Rape (CMR) - Activity 1.1

• Support training of clinicians on CMR protocols, including the 72‑hour window, PEP, STI prophylaxis, and trauma‑informed care.
• Oversee pre‑positioning and correct use of CMR kits in 6-8 high‑volume facilities.
• Ensure establishment and functionality of 24/7 survivor reception points with privacy screens.
• Strengthen referral pathways linking facilities to HEAL Africa‑trained psychosocial staff.

Facility‑Based Psychosocial Support & Case Management - Activity 1.2

• Deploy and supervise PSS counselors across facilities, ensuring consistent PFA and emotional stabilization services.
• Support establishment of private counseling rooms and confidential case‑management spaces.
• Ensure safe referral pathways for GBV survivors, distressed mothers, and children at risk.
• Coordinate follow‑up with community protection committees for ongoing case support.

Women & Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) - Activity 1.3

• Establish and oversee WGSS adjacent to facilities, ensuring confidential, survivor‑centered environments.
• Support delivery of PSS, life‑skills sessions, VAWG awareness activities, and peer‑support groups.
• Ensure child‑friendly corners are functional and accessible for mothers attending services.
• Monitor participation, safety, and quality of services provided in WGSS.

Strengthening Facility-Community Referral Networks - Activity 1.4

• Train CHWs on GBV risk mitigation, safe identification, and survivor‑centered referral practices.
• Establish and monitor WhatsApp‑based referral channels between CHWs and facility focal points.
• Map and maintain updated directories of legal, psychosocial, shelter, and medical service providers.
• Strengthen timely access to MNCH, VAWG, and child protection services for women and children in hard‑to‑reach areas.

Eligibility Criteria - Program Officer, Protection (Women & Children)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work, Gender Studies, Public Health, Nursing, or a related field.
• At least 3-5 years of professional experience in GBV, child protection, MHPSS, or protection programming in humanitarian or conflict‑affected settings.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Clinical Management of Rape (CMR), GBV case management, or survivor‑centered services.
• Practical experience delivering or supervising psychosocial support (PSS), Psychological First Aid (PFA), or trauma‑informed care.
• Strong knowledge of national GBV/CP SOPs, inter‑agency guidelines, and survivor‑centered approaches.
• Experience establishing or supporting Women & Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) or similar protection environments.
• Proven ability to work with community protection committees, CHWs, and local service providers.
• Experience coordinating safe identification and referral pathways for women, adolescent girls, and children at risk.
• Ability to travel frequently to IDP sites, remote facilities, and insecure areas
• Fluency in French required; Swahili or local languages (Kinande, Kinyarwanda) strongly preferred.