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UNFPA-Sub-National Protection Cluster Coordinator-P3-Gao, Mali
Gao, MaliPosition Title: Sub-National Protection Cluster Coordinator
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3
Location: Gao, Mali
Duration: 6 months
Language: Fluency in French and English required
Protection monitoring data indicate a significant deterioration in the protection environment across the covered areas, despite patrols and security operations conducted by the defense and security forces. During the first quarter of 2026, allegations of rights violations committed against civilians increased sharply, with a total of 13,718 reported violations. Victims included all population groups, notably 9,847 violations affecting men, 2,752 affecting women, 678 affecting boys, and 440 affecting girls. This represents a 7% increase compared to the previous quarter.
Clashes between Malian security forces and armed groups following the weekend of 25 April, as well as movement restrictions imposed on the main roads leading to and from Bamako, further exacerbated the security and humanitarian situation. Violations of the right to life remain particularly alarming. Of the 32 reported violations of the right to life between 24 and 29 April, 20 were reportedly linked to the attacks of 25 April. In addition, approximately 55 violations involving physical assault and injuries, including those caused by explosive devices, were reportedly committed during the same period, with around 18 directly linked to the attacks.
Overall, the regions of Gao, Ménaka, and Kidal recorded 4,096 protection incidents, of which 17% concerned women and girls, and 2% affected older persons. The majority of incidents (62%) were reported in Gao region alone, which recorded the highest rates of violations, including:
● 21% violations of the right to life;
● 11% violations of the right to liberty and security of person, including kidnappings.
A total of 309 GBV incidents were reported during the first quarter in the regions of Gao and Ménaka, with a high prevalence of sexual violence (23%), including 14% rape and 9% sexual assault.
In Mali, on 15 December 2025, the national Protection Cluster coordination conducted a series of consultations with sub-national coordinations as well as former AoR coordinators and technical working group leads. These consultations focused on:
• assessing existing coordination capacities;
• identifying required structural adjustments;
• defining the technical arrangements necessary for the effective implementation of the integrated Protection Cluster starting in 2026. National coordination of the Protection Cluster will be
led by UNHCR.
At the regional level, UNFPA will assume coordination of the Protection Cluster in the Gao region, in a context marked by a high intensity of violations and critical protection needs, including GBV-related risks.
In light of the continued deterioration of the protection environment, the significant increase in documented violations, the operational and security complexity in the Gao region, and the transition toward an integrated Protection Cluster requiring strengthened, inclusive, and technically sound coordination, it is imperative to recruit a Protection Coordinator with demonstrated expertise in civilian protection, inter-agency coordination, and the integration of cross-cutting issues, including GBV, child protection, and mine action.
The Sub-National Protection Cluster Coordinator, based in Gao, will work under the guidance of the National Protection Cluster Coordinator (based in Bamako) and in close collaboration with UN agencies, NGOs, local authorities and other clusters to ensure an effective protection response in the region. She/He will be responsible for ensuring effective coordination, strategic planning, advocacy, information management and monitoring of protection interventions at the regional level in Gao, in line with the Protection Cluster Strategy and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). The Protection Cluster encompasses the following thematics: Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Child Protection (CP) Mine Action (MA), Civil Documentation and Social cohesion.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats:
The security context in Mali continues to be marked by the persistence of armed violence, the increase in incidents along road corridors, the presence of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and movement restrictions imposed on civilian populations. The regions of the North and Centre—particularly Gao, Ménaka, Tombouctou, Mopti, and parts of Ségou—remain especially affected. This volatile environment deteriorated critically following the unprecedented, country-wide coordinated attacks launched on 25 April 2026 by Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG). Targeting major urban centers and military strongholds simultaneously—including Bamako/Kati, Sévaré, Mopti, Gao, and Kidal—these offensives have severely reduced the humanitarian space, forced the suspension of basic services, and directly impacted health infrastructures, such as the regional health directorate in Kidal and a community health center in Gao.
Attacks against civilian and humanitarian convoys, kidnappings, illegal taxation, and threats significantly hinder humanitarian access and the continuity of essential services. This prolonged insecurity further exacerbates the vulnerability of affected populations, particularly internally displaced persons (IDPs), female-headed households, children, and elderly persons. The embargo and restrictions on fuel supply have considerably worsened the humanitarian situation. Observed impacts include the slowdown of humanitarian operations, the reduction of field missions, limited multi-sectoral assessments, and delays in the delivery of assistance. Frequent blockages along the Hombori–Ménaka and Sévaré–Koro road corridors severely constrain humanitarian action and restrict access for survivors of gender-based violence to essential response services. All these factors constitute major obstacles for humanitarian actors and affected populations, who face increasing difficulties in accessing essential services and livelihood opportunities.
The United Nations continues to carry out missions and provide humanitarian assistance to displaced populations. To ensure secure access, all mission plans are shared with the security services of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and UNFPA, with joint missions prioritized whenever possible.
All UNFPA missions are conducted in full compliance with security risk management measures. Prior to deployment, staff members receive security briefings and, as required, are equipped with personal protective equipment, first aid kits, satellite phones, and VHF radios. Completion of the BSAFE course- online.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Building and Sustaining Partnerships
● Facilitate Protection Cluster meetings, ensuring that agreements, follow-up actions, decisions, and action points are effectively implemented.
● Proactively engage with all relevant stakeholders to ensure coordination bodies reflect the range
of actors addressing protection issues, including GBV, Child Protection, Mine Action and categories of actors (UN, NGO, civil society, WLO/WRO, government, etc.).
● In consultation with GBV, CP and Mine action focal points within the protection cluster in Gao, identify appropriate mechanisms for working with and collaborating with national authorities entities on protection issues such as: increase in attacks, targeted killings, abductions, and
summary executions, particularly against adult males, population displacement, high risk of sexual violence and child marriage, forced recruitment of children by armed groups, killings,
mutilations, and abductions, imposition of coercive norms by armed groups, extortion, illegal taxes, and restrictions on movement, direct threats to the safety of populations and humanitarian access.
● Document and analyze the activities of the Protection Cluster coordination in Gao and share results with cluster members and the national level.
● Ensure that Protection Cluster partners, including GBV, Child Protection (CP), and Mine Action, are informed of protection needs, situation analyses, response gaps, intervention plans, ongoing funding processes, and related issues.
● Support effective coordination with other clusters, regional working groups, and task forces in
Gao, including GBV, Child Protection, and Mine Action.
● Under the guidance of the National Protection Cluster Coordinator based in Bamako, represent the interests of the Protection Cluster (including GBV, Child Protection, and Mine Action) in inter-sectoral coordination meetings and other strategic forum in Gao
● Support the National Protection Cluster Coordinator in Bamako in the preparation of advocacy documents, drawing on evidence-based protection monitoring data.
● In coordination with the National Protection Cluster Coordinator, ensure coordination and information sharing on protection issues with other clusters in the field, the UN system,
government counterparts, and strengthen linkages with relevant development partners.
● Strengthening communication and capacity building for humanitarian actors in general, and protection actors in particular, on protection in order to ensure the centrality of protection and improve the quality of protection responses
Strategic Planning
● Facilitate the development of a Gao Protection Cluster that will be aligned with the national
Protection Cluster Strategy.
● Define strategic objectives for protection interventions (e.g., prevention of gender‑based
violence, access to civil documentation, access to services).
● Align the regional protection cluster plans with the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), national Protection Cluster priorities and identify needs gaps.
● Identify key protection issues requiring advocacy (e.g., access constraints, rights violations, protection of civilians) in Gao.
● Engage with local authorities and donors to promote protection priorities.
● Coordinate joint fundraising strategies which include CP, GBV and Mine Action needs and gaps.
● Facilitate a collective prioritization process among cluster members and local authorities.
Capacity Development
● Ensure that Protection Cluster activities adhere to the cross-cutting and inclusive Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) approach.
● Develop, adapt, and/or contribute to protection tools that integrate, GBV risks analysis, gender considerations for reporting, needs assessments, and gender analyses.
● Coordinate and deliver protection trainings for cluster members, local partners, and relevant authorities in Gao
● Produce practical tools and provide technical support to cluster members and regional working
groups on joint needs assessments, coordination mechanisms and funding processes such as the
HF, CERF, etc.
● Design and coordinate capacity building activities for partners (e.g., GBV response, child protection, mine risk education, PSEA/Code of Conduct).
● Strengthen partner understanding of protection standards and ethical practice.
● Support national/local actors in taking leadership roles over time.
● Coordinate initiatives to build the protection capacity of protection sector members
● Contribute to the review and consolidation of the humanitarian mechanism in Mali under the lead of the HCT
Advocacy
● Identify core advocacy concerns for the Protection Cluster through a consultative process: Facilitate joint cluster/ inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy.
Information Management
● In consultation with the Protection IM and GBV/CP/Mine Action IMs, support information compilation and produce analytical reports and protection-related information for sharing with partners, the Humanitarian Country Team, donors, and relevant government counterparts.
● Support the quality of the protection monitoring system through the review of information and performance of data collection networks in Gao.
● Ensure dissemination of protection trends (including GBV, CP, Mine Action) identified through GBV/CP IMS, 5Ws and the Protection monitoring to partners and other relevant
stakeholders.
● Facilitate reporting and information sharing within the Protection Cluster.
● Ensure that monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms are in place to assess progress
and results of Protection Cluster activities.
Any other duties
● Write quarterly reports documenting progress.
● As part of the UNFPA CO, attend regular office
Qualifications and Skills Required
● Advanced degree in international relations, international law, human rights, gender or related field.
● 3-5 years of experience working on Protection, child protection, GBV and gender, of which 4 at the international level, preferably in a humanitarian context.
● Experience leading inter-agency coordination mechanisms with a wide range of stakeholders.
Demonstrable knowledge of the critical components to facilitate effective inter-agency coordination.
● Demonstrable knowledge of humanitarian emergency operations, including the Cluster System and
HPC, and roles/responsibilities of key humanitarian actors.
Preferred language:
The working language is mainly French. Fluency in French is required, but fluency in English is also a great asset.
Receiving Agency: UNFPA
P Level: P3
Location: Gao, Mali
Duration: 6 months
Language: Fluency in French and English required
R&R cycle: 4 weeks
Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request
Mali continues to face a complex and protracted humanitarian crisis characterized by persistent insecurity, the proliferation of asymmetric armed conflicts, intercommunal tensions, the compounding effects of recurrent climate shocks, and the continued deterioration of households’ socio-economic conditions.
The regions of the Centre (Mopti, Bandiagara, Ségou) and the North (Gao, Tombouctou, Ménaka, Kidal), as well as certain areas in the South-West and Kayes, remain particularly affected by ongoing violence, movement restrictions, and the presence of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), limiting access to essential services and further constraining humanitarian space. A severe security crisis in Mali started on 25 April 2026, following large-scale, coordinated attacks by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) on strategic urban centres, including Bamako, Gao, Mopti, and Kidal. This escalation caused extreme instability, regional curfews, and a blockade on the capital, Bamako. This severely limited humanitarian access and the continuity of essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including night-time access to emergency obstetric services. Thousands of civilians – mostly women and children – are fleeing to urban centres or neighboring countries, increasing gender-based violence (GBV) and protection risks while overwhelming host communities with critical health, nutrition, and protection needs.
Background Description of Emergency / Justification for Request
Mali continues to face a complex and protracted humanitarian crisis characterized by persistent insecurity, the proliferation of asymmetric armed conflicts, intercommunal tensions, the compounding effects of recurrent climate shocks, and the continued deterioration of households’ socio-economic conditions.
The regions of the Centre (Mopti, Bandiagara, Ségou) and the North (Gao, Tombouctou, Ménaka, Kidal), as well as certain areas in the South-West and Kayes, remain particularly affected by ongoing violence, movement restrictions, and the presence of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), limiting access to essential services and further constraining humanitarian space. A severe security crisis in Mali started on 25 April 2026, following large-scale, coordinated attacks by non-state armed groups (NSAGs) on strategic urban centres, including Bamako, Gao, Mopti, and Kidal. This escalation caused extreme instability, regional curfews, and a blockade on the capital, Bamako. This severely limited humanitarian access and the continuity of essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, including night-time access to emergency obstetric services. Thousands of civilians – mostly women and children – are fleeing to urban centres or neighboring countries, increasing gender-based violence (GBV) and protection risks while overwhelming host communities with critical health, nutrition, and protection needs.
Protection monitoring data indicate a significant deterioration in the protection environment across the covered areas, despite patrols and security operations conducted by the defense and security forces. During the first quarter of 2026, allegations of rights violations committed against civilians increased sharply, with a total of 13,718 reported violations. Victims included all population groups, notably 9,847 violations affecting men, 2,752 affecting women, 678 affecting boys, and 440 affecting girls. This represents a 7% increase compared to the previous quarter.
Clashes between Malian security forces and armed groups following the weekend of 25 April, as well as movement restrictions imposed on the main roads leading to and from Bamako, further exacerbated the security and humanitarian situation. Violations of the right to life remain particularly alarming. Of the 32 reported violations of the right to life between 24 and 29 April, 20 were reportedly linked to the attacks of 25 April. In addition, approximately 55 violations involving physical assault and injuries, including those caused by explosive devices, were reportedly committed during the same period, with around 18 directly linked to the attacks.
Overall, the regions of Gao, Ménaka, and Kidal recorded 4,096 protection incidents, of which 17% concerned women and girls, and 2% affected older persons. The majority of incidents (62%) were reported in Gao region alone, which recorded the highest rates of violations, including:
● 21% violations of the right to life;
● 11% violations of the right to liberty and security of person, including kidnappings.
A total of 309 GBV incidents were reported during the first quarter in the regions of Gao and Ménaka, with a high prevalence of sexual violence (23%), including 14% rape and 9% sexual assault.
In Mali, on 15 December 2025, the national Protection Cluster coordination conducted a series of consultations with sub-national coordinations as well as former AoR coordinators and technical working group leads. These consultations focused on:
• assessing existing coordination capacities;
• identifying required structural adjustments;
• defining the technical arrangements necessary for the effective implementation of the integrated Protection Cluster starting in 2026. National coordination of the Protection Cluster will be
led by UNHCR.
At the regional level, UNFPA will assume coordination of the Protection Cluster in the Gao region, in a context marked by a high intensity of violations and critical protection needs, including GBV-related risks.
In light of the continued deterioration of the protection environment, the significant increase in documented violations, the operational and security complexity in the Gao region, and the transition toward an integrated Protection Cluster requiring strengthened, inclusive, and technically sound coordination, it is imperative to recruit a Protection Coordinator with demonstrated expertise in civilian protection, inter-agency coordination, and the integration of cross-cutting issues, including GBV, child protection, and mine action.
The Sub-National Protection Cluster Coordinator, based in Gao, will work under the guidance of the National Protection Cluster Coordinator (based in Bamako) and in close collaboration with UN agencies, NGOs, local authorities and other clusters to ensure an effective protection response in the region. She/He will be responsible for ensuring effective coordination, strategic planning, advocacy, information management and monitoring of protection interventions at the regional level in Gao, in line with the Protection Cluster Strategy and the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). The Protection Cluster encompasses the following thematics: Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Child Protection (CP) Mine Action (MA), Civil Documentation and Social cohesion.
Security Situation Summary in country and main threats:
The security context in Mali continues to be marked by the persistence of armed violence, the increase in incidents along road corridors, the presence of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and movement restrictions imposed on civilian populations. The regions of the North and Centre—particularly Gao, Ménaka, Tombouctou, Mopti, and parts of Ségou—remain especially affected. This volatile environment deteriorated critically following the unprecedented, country-wide coordinated attacks launched on 25 April 2026 by Non-State Armed Groups (NSAG). Targeting major urban centers and military strongholds simultaneously—including Bamako/Kati, Sévaré, Mopti, Gao, and Kidal—these offensives have severely reduced the humanitarian space, forced the suspension of basic services, and directly impacted health infrastructures, such as the regional health directorate in Kidal and a community health center in Gao.
Attacks against civilian and humanitarian convoys, kidnappings, illegal taxation, and threats significantly hinder humanitarian access and the continuity of essential services. This prolonged insecurity further exacerbates the vulnerability of affected populations, particularly internally displaced persons (IDPs), female-headed households, children, and elderly persons. The embargo and restrictions on fuel supply have considerably worsened the humanitarian situation. Observed impacts include the slowdown of humanitarian operations, the reduction of field missions, limited multi-sectoral assessments, and delays in the delivery of assistance. Frequent blockages along the Hombori–Ménaka and Sévaré–Koro road corridors severely constrain humanitarian action and restrict access for survivors of gender-based violence to essential response services. All these factors constitute major obstacles for humanitarian actors and affected populations, who face increasing difficulties in accessing essential services and livelihood opportunities.
The United Nations continues to carry out missions and provide humanitarian assistance to displaced populations. To ensure secure access, all mission plans are shared with the security services of the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) and UNFPA, with joint missions prioritized whenever possible.
All UNFPA missions are conducted in full compliance with security risk management measures. Prior to deployment, staff members receive security briefings and, as required, are equipped with personal protective equipment, first aid kits, satellite phones, and VHF radios. Completion of the BSAFE course- online.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Building and Sustaining Partnerships
● Facilitate Protection Cluster meetings, ensuring that agreements, follow-up actions, decisions, and action points are effectively implemented.
● Proactively engage with all relevant stakeholders to ensure coordination bodies reflect the range
of actors addressing protection issues, including GBV, Child Protection, Mine Action and categories of actors (UN, NGO, civil society, WLO/WRO, government, etc.).
● In consultation with GBV, CP and Mine action focal points within the protection cluster in Gao, identify appropriate mechanisms for working with and collaborating with national authorities entities on protection issues such as: increase in attacks, targeted killings, abductions, and
summary executions, particularly against adult males, population displacement, high risk of sexual violence and child marriage, forced recruitment of children by armed groups, killings,
mutilations, and abductions, imposition of coercive norms by armed groups, extortion, illegal taxes, and restrictions on movement, direct threats to the safety of populations and humanitarian access.
● Document and analyze the activities of the Protection Cluster coordination in Gao and share results with cluster members and the national level.
● Ensure that Protection Cluster partners, including GBV, Child Protection (CP), and Mine Action, are informed of protection needs, situation analyses, response gaps, intervention plans, ongoing funding processes, and related issues.
● Support effective coordination with other clusters, regional working groups, and task forces in
Gao, including GBV, Child Protection, and Mine Action.
● Under the guidance of the National Protection Cluster Coordinator based in Bamako, represent the interests of the Protection Cluster (including GBV, Child Protection, and Mine Action) in inter-sectoral coordination meetings and other strategic forum in Gao
● Support the National Protection Cluster Coordinator in Bamako in the preparation of advocacy documents, drawing on evidence-based protection monitoring data.
● In coordination with the National Protection Cluster Coordinator, ensure coordination and information sharing on protection issues with other clusters in the field, the UN system,
government counterparts, and strengthen linkages with relevant development partners.
● Strengthening communication and capacity building for humanitarian actors in general, and protection actors in particular, on protection in order to ensure the centrality of protection and improve the quality of protection responses
Strategic Planning
● Facilitate the development of a Gao Protection Cluster that will be aligned with the national
Protection Cluster Strategy.
● Define strategic objectives for protection interventions (e.g., prevention of gender‑based
violence, access to civil documentation, access to services).
● Align the regional protection cluster plans with the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), national Protection Cluster priorities and identify needs gaps.
● Identify key protection issues requiring advocacy (e.g., access constraints, rights violations, protection of civilians) in Gao.
● Engage with local authorities and donors to promote protection priorities.
● Coordinate joint fundraising strategies which include CP, GBV and Mine Action needs and gaps.
● Facilitate a collective prioritization process among cluster members and local authorities.
Capacity Development
● Ensure that Protection Cluster activities adhere to the cross-cutting and inclusive Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) approach.
● Develop, adapt, and/or contribute to protection tools that integrate, GBV risks analysis, gender considerations for reporting, needs assessments, and gender analyses.
● Coordinate and deliver protection trainings for cluster members, local partners, and relevant authorities in Gao
● Produce practical tools and provide technical support to cluster members and regional working
groups on joint needs assessments, coordination mechanisms and funding processes such as the
HF, CERF, etc.
● Design and coordinate capacity building activities for partners (e.g., GBV response, child protection, mine risk education, PSEA/Code of Conduct).
● Strengthen partner understanding of protection standards and ethical practice.
● Support national/local actors in taking leadership roles over time.
● Coordinate initiatives to build the protection capacity of protection sector members
● Contribute to the review and consolidation of the humanitarian mechanism in Mali under the lead of the HCT
Advocacy
● Identify core advocacy concerns for the Protection Cluster through a consultative process: Facilitate joint cluster/ inter-cluster initiatives to ensure regular and consistent advocacy.
Information Management
● In consultation with the Protection IM and GBV/CP/Mine Action IMs, support information compilation and produce analytical reports and protection-related information for sharing with partners, the Humanitarian Country Team, donors, and relevant government counterparts.
● Support the quality of the protection monitoring system through the review of information and performance of data collection networks in Gao.
● Ensure dissemination of protection trends (including GBV, CP, Mine Action) identified through GBV/CP IMS, 5Ws and the Protection monitoring to partners and other relevant
stakeholders.
● Facilitate reporting and information sharing within the Protection Cluster.
● Ensure that monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms are in place to assess progress
and results of Protection Cluster activities.
Any other duties
● Write quarterly reports documenting progress.
● As part of the UNFPA CO, attend regular office
Qualifications and Skills Required
● Advanced degree in international relations, international law, human rights, gender or related field.
● 3-5 years of experience working on Protection, child protection, GBV and gender, of which 4 at the international level, preferably in a humanitarian context.
● Experience leading inter-agency coordination mechanisms with a wide range of stakeholders.
Demonstrable knowledge of the critical components to facilitate effective inter-agency coordination.
● Demonstrable knowledge of humanitarian emergency operations, including the Cluster System and
HPC, and roles/responsibilities of key humanitarian actors.
Preferred language:
The working language is mainly French. Fluency in French is required, but fluency in English is also a great asset.
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.