Protection Coordinator

COUNTRY PROGRAM MISSION:

Alight Rwanda, formerly known as the American Refugee Committee, has been a key player in delivering impactful humanitarian programs since 1994. Operating in all six refugee camps in Rwanda, Alight provides integrated services in protection, health, livelihoods, and community development. The organization has pioneered initiatives like the SASA! methodology to promote gender equality, reduce GBV, and empower vulnerable populations. By fostering resilience and innovation, Alight Rwanda continues to make meaningful and sustainable contributions to refugee and host communities.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The Protection Coordinator provides technical leadership, operational oversight, and team management for integrated protection programming in Mahama Refugee Camp, with focus on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Child Protection (CP) prevention and response. The role ensures delivery of survivor-centered, rights-based protection services in line with UNHCR standards and supports implementation of community-based approaches including the SASA! methodology.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1.Technical Leadership and Program Quality

• Provide technical oversight for GBV and CP programming in line with UNHCR, IASC GBV Guidelines, and CP Minimum Standards.
• Ensure survivor-centered approaches (safety, confidentiality, dignity, non-discrimination).
• Lead development and implementation of SOPs for GBV and CP services.
• Oversee GBV case management and Child Protection case management including BIA and BID processes.
• Provide technical guidance on complex protection cases and referrals.
• Ensure quality assurance of all protection interventions in the camp.

2.Program Planning and Procurement

• Lead development of annual, quarterly, and monthly work plans for protection programming.
• Develop and monitor procurement plans in coordination with supply chain and finance teams.
• Ensure timely implementation of planned activities and budget alignment.
• Strengthen protection mainstreaming across all sectors including health, education, and livelihoods.

3.Team Supervision and Management

• Directly supervise Protection Officers, GBV Officers, Child Protection Officers, Caseworkers, and Community-Based Protection Officers.
• Conduct regular performance management, coaching, and mentorship sessions.
• Ensure adherence to case management standards, ethical guidelines, and confidentiality principles.
• Provide technical support and oversight on high-risk cases.
• Promote staff wellbeing, duty of care, and prevention of burnout and secondary trauma.

4.SASA! Approach Implementation.

• Lead implementation of the SASA! methodology (Start, Awareness, Support, Action phases).
• Ensure quality facilitation by SASA! community activists and field teams.
• Monitor social norms change and prevention outcomes.
• Integrate SASA! into broader GBV prevention and community engagement strategies.

5.Coordination and Representation.

• Represent Alight in Protection Working Groups, GBV Sub-Working Groups, and Child Protection coordination forums.
• Maintain strong coordination with UNHCR, government authorities, and implementing partners.
• Participate in joint assessments, planning, and response coordination.
• Strengthen referral pathways and inter-agency collaboration.

6.Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

• Ensure implementation of monitoring tools and systems for protection programming.
• Analyze protection trends and data to inform adaptive programming.
• Ensure compliance with GBVIMS, CPIMS, and data protection standards.
• Strengthen Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) through feedback mechanisms.

7.Community-Based Protection

• Strengthen community-based protection structures including CP committees and GBV focal points.
• Supervise community engagement and SASA! activist networks.
• Promote participation of women, children, and vulnerable groups in programming.
• Lead prevention and risk mitigation activities and awareness campaigns.

8.Reporting and Program Development

• Provide regular technical and narrative reports to Head of Programs in Kigali.
• Contribute to donor reporting, proposals, and program design.
• Document best practices, lessons learned, and success stories.
• Ensure effective communication between field and Kigali levels.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Rights, International Development, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive experience in humanitarian protection programming.
• Demonstrated experience in GBV and Child Protection programming and case management.
• Experience in supervision and team leadership in humanitarian settings.
• Experience in refugee camp programming is required.
• Experience with SASA! or similar social norms change methodologies is highly desirable.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strong technical expertise in GBV, Child Protection, and prevention programming.
• Strong leadership, supervision, and team management skills.
• Excellent coordination, communication, and representation skills.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles, protection ethics, and confidentiality.

LANGUAGES

• Fluency in English required; Kinyarwanda is an asset.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Field-based position
• Frequent interaction with affected populations.
• Occasional travel to Kigali for coordination and reporting.

Core Values and Commitment

The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to Alight’s mission and values, including respect, accountability, compassion, integrity, and inclusion. The Protection Coordinator is expected to actively promote safeguarding, gender equality, and ethical programming in all aspects of their work.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES:

Interested and qualifying candidates should submit applications to ALIGHT Rwanda Executive Director – to include 1 page Cover Letter, degree, ID,an updated CV (max. 3 pages), and three names (plus titles & contacts) of relevant professional referees, to include most current Employer/ Supervisor ( All in one document) – to the following email address only: RWJobs@WEAREALIGHT.ORG with the position applied for CLEARLY indicated in the subject line.The deadline for submission of applications is May 5^th, 2026 at 23:59. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Alight is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. Alight complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.