About Accepting Other Organizations
Established in 2014, Accepting Others Organization (AOO) is a non-governmental, non-profit, and non-religious entity operating in federal Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Led by women and youth, our focus is on promoting and safeguarding human rights, particularly advancing women’s rights and empowerment nationwide. AOO is dedicated to fostering peaceful coexistence through tolerance and collaboration across diverse societal segments. Our efforts center on peacebuilding, social cohesion, and community engagement, believing in the power of dialogue to create inclusivity. A key aspect of our work involves advocating for crucial frameworks such as the Iraqi National Action Plan II and UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 2250, aiming to ensure gender equality and enhance women and youth participation in peacebuilding. Additionally, we provide support to governmental and non-governmental entities in developing policies aligned with international standards, striving to establish a just and equitable society. Through collaboration and community engagement, AOO seeks to drive positive change, promoting diversity, and inclusivity, and empowering women and youth to shape their communities actively.

Role of the Protection Officer:

The Protection Officer is responsible for ensuring the safety, well-being, and dignity of vulnerable populations, particularly those affected by conflict, displacement, and human rights violations. They play a critical role in identifying protection risks, advocating for the rights of beneficiaries, and implementing interventions to prevent and respond to protection concerns.

Specific Tasks:

1. Case Management and Support:
   • Conduct individual assessments of beneficiaries to identify protection risks, vulnerabilities, and needs.
   • Provide specialized case management support, including referrals to essential services such as healthcare, legal assistance, and psychosocial support.
2. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response:
   • Implement GBV prevention programs, including awareness-raising sessions, skills-building workshops, and safe space initiatives.
   • Respond to GBV incidents by providing immediate support to survivors, including medical care, counseling, and access to justice.
3. Child Protection:
   • Monitor and address child protection concerns, including child labor, child marriage, and recruitment into armed groups.
   • Facilitate family tracing and reunification efforts for separated and unaccompanied children.
4. Community Engagement and Awareness:
   • Engage with communities to raise awareness about protection risks, rights, and available support services.
   • Facilitate community-based protection mechanisms, such as community watch groups and referral networks.
5. Advocacy and Legal Assistance:
   • Advocate for the rights and needs of vulnerable populations, including women, children, and persons with disabilities, within the community and with relevant authorities.
   • Provide legal assistance and support to beneficiaries in accessing justice and seeking remedies for human rights violations.
6. Monitoring and Reporting:
   • Monitor protection concerns and incidents within the community, documenting cases and trends to inform program planning and advocacy efforts.
   • Prepare regular reports on protection activities, including progress updates, case summaries, and recommendations for action.

Essential Criteria:

1. Education and Qualifications:
   • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social work, human rights, international development, or a related field.
2. Protection Experience:
   • Proven experience of at least 2 years in protection programming, preferably in humanitarian or conflict-affected contexts.
   • Demonstrated understanding of protection principles, international humanitarian law, and human rights frameworks.
3. Case Management Skills:
   • Experience in conducting assessments, developing support plans, and providing referrals to essential services for vulnerable populations.
   • Familiarity with survivor-centered approaches and confidentiality protocols in case management.
4. GBV Prevention and Response Expertise:
   • Specialized knowledge and training in GBV prevention and response, including psychosocial support, risk mitigation, and survivor empowerment.
   • Experience in implementing GBV programs and managing GBV cases in humanitarian settings.
5. Community Engagement and Advocacy:
   • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with beneficiaries and community members.
   • Commitment to promoting gender equality, inclusion, and respect for diversity in all aspects of work.
6. Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:
   • Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills to identify protection risks, vulnerabilities, and appropriate response strategies.
   • Ability to make sound judgments and decisions in complex and sensitive situations.
7. Cultural Sensitivity and Adaptability:
   • Cultural sensitivity and adaptability to work effectively in diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts.
   • Ability to establish rapport and communicate sensitively with individuals and families from different cultural backgrounds.
8. Language Proficiency:
   • Fluency in English; knowledge of additional languages, such as Arabic or Kurdish, is advantageous for effective communication with beneficiaries and stakeholders.

These essential criteria outline the qualifications, skills, and attributes required for the successful candidate to fulfill the responsibilities of the Protection Officer role effectively.

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How to Apply

To apply for the position of Director of Programs at our organization, please submit your CV to HR@aooiraq.org

Please note the following guidelines:

CVs should be in standard document format (e.g., Word or PDF). Submissions in the form of images, pictures, screenshots, or links will not be accepted.

Only candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted for further consideration.

Applications received after the expiration date of the advertisement will not be considered.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team. We look forward to reviewing your application.