Position: Protection Officer (3)

Duty Station: Refugee camps and urban settings

Job type: Full time

Duration: Fixed Term with Extension Possibility.

Introduction 

Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR) is a non-profit organization working with the government of Rwanda and both local and international organizations to foster peacebuilding, unity, reconciliation, mental health and psychosocial support, access to justice, crime prevention, human rights promotion, and socio-economic empowerment of vulnerable people in Rwanda in the wake of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and its aftermath.

Prison Fellowship Rwanda was founded on 01/07/1995, affiliated with Prison Fellowship International in 1997, and officially registered and recognized by Ministerial Order No. 037/17 of 23/10/2002 by the Ministry of Justice as a non-profit organization, with its registration published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda in 2002.

PFR envisions a society where unity, peace and justice reign and has a mission to contribute to the social transformation of vulnerable communities through peacebuilding, livelihood, justice, psychosocial and spiritual resilience interventions.

Since 2020, Prison Fellowship Rwanda (PFR) in partnership with United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) supports refugees and asylum seekers in Rwanda in the following sectors:

a)Community-Based Protection (CBP) services,

b)Legal Assistance and civil documentation

c)Starting from August 2024, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support/ Community Based Sociotherapy plus protection and inclusion of Persons with Specific Needs in all refugee camps, Urban Settings and Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) Gashora.

Currently Prison Fellowship Rwanda is looking for qualified and highly motivated candidates of high moral character and professional integrity to fulfill the position of Protection Officer.

Objectives:

• Enhance community-based protection mechanisms and responses.
• Strengthen the capacity of refugee communities to identify and address protection needs.
• Support the implementation of protection strategies in alignment with organizational and international standards.

Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Protection officer will undertake the following specific tasks:

Community Engagement and Protection:

• Conduct regular assessments to identify protection needs and risks within the refugee community.
• Facilitate community-based protection activities, including awareness-raising and capacity-building sessions.
• Establish and maintain effective communication channels with community leaders, groups, and stakeholders.

Case Management and Support:

• Provide individual and group counseling to refugees facing protection concerns.
• Assist in the development and implementation of individual protection plans.
• Coordinate with other service providers to ensure comprehensive support for protection cases.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Monitor and document protection issues and trends within the community.
• Prepare and submit regular reports on protection activities, challenges, and recommendations.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Ensuring that all project components are implemented according to the project plans, to meet all goals and objectives.
• Be responsible for supporting the day-to-day management of the project to ensure its effective, efficient and cost-sensitive management.
• Ensure the annual and quarterly planning, implementation of activities, monitoring/reviewing of activities, and timely reporting as per project agreement.
• Monitor project plans and ensure the overall coordination of the project activities and coordinate the work of community mobilizers/volunteers.
• Be responsible for the elaboration of progress, annual and other types of reports.
• Develop and encourage new and innovative solutions that will contribute to sustainable improvements in the well-being of refugees.
• Contributing towards the development of IEC materials.

Coordination and Collaboration:

• Ensure a strong collaboration with partners including UNHCR, MINEMA and other implementing partners in the field to enhance protection responses.
• Participate in relevant coordination meetings and protection clusters.
• Represent the organization in community forums and advocacy efforts.
• Ensure communication is strengthened in close coordination with Communication officers and volunteers.
• Perform any other task assigned by the management in relation to the success of the project.

Capacity Building:

• Develop and deliver training and capacity-building sessions for community members and staff on protection issues.
• Promote community-led protection initiatives and self-help mechanisms.

Compliance and Standards:

• Ensure adherence to international protection standards, organizational policies, and local regulations.
• Uphold principles of confidentiality, neutrality, and impartiality in all activities.

Key Performance Indicators

• Meeting held and participation rate
• Case resolution rate
• Training sessions delivered and participant’s feedback
• On time reports and data accuracy
• Adherence rate with standards and organizational policy
• Reduction in protection related incidents

QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor’s degree in law, Political science, and social work, Project Management, Human resources management, Conflict/Peace Studies, or any other relevant field. A master’s degree is an added value.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE.

• Strong understanding of refugee protection principles and international humanitarian law.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment and under pressure.
• Demonstrated experience in team management and planning.
• Experience in working closely with governmental/local authorities and other (inter)national NGOs.
• Good ability to write clear and well-argued reports on program outcomes and impact.
• Ability to manage a heavy workload, delegate tasks/responsibilities and constantly reassess priorities.
• Capacity to initiate new ideas and put them into action.
• Being an honest, reliable, and very accurate person.
• Fluent English and Kinyarwanda both verbal and written.

HOW TO APPLY.

To apply for this position, please send your motivation letter, CV, Degree, ID/passport and other certificates, one recommendation letter from your previous employer plus one church recommendation to: recruitment@pfrwanda.org and mention the title of the position “Protection Officer” in the subject line of the email.

• The application should be addressed to the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Rwanda, and the document should be in one PDF format.
• Apply before 20th January 2026 at 5:00pm. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. For more information about Prison Fellowship Rwanda, visit: pfrwanda.org
• “Prison Fellowship Rwanda has a zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of beneficiaries. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) is everyone’s responsibility”.