CHIJIOKE GREGORY ONUZURUIKE
Adikpo,Nigeria
Summary
Highly experienced and dedicated protection specialist with a proven track records of over 7 years in providing protection services and solutions for refugees and asylum seekers, including gender-based violence prevention and response, with strong background in international humanitarian law and refugee protection. Skilled in conducting assessments of protection risks, developing and implementing protection strategies, and monitoring their effectiveness. Proficient and experienced in training and capacity building of local staff and partners. Possesses strong analytical and communication skills.
Overview
1
1
Certification
8
8
years of professional experience
Work history
Education Officer
Caritas Nigeria
Benue State, Nigeria
01.2025 - Current
- Coordinated the implementation of state-wide literacy campaigns directly increasing student reading proficiency by 25%.
- Developed and implemented revisions to education plans that incorporate refugee populations, aligning with national education strategies and ensuring the inclusion of refugees in national planning, budgeting, and monitoring.
- Facilitated capacity-building workshops and training seminars for primary and secondary school teachers in Kwande local government, enhancing teaching practices and student outcomes.
- Built strong partnerships with government ministries, education authorities, schools, and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of refugee education programs.
- Conducted field monitoring visits to track program progress, identify capacity gaps, and recommend actionable adjustments to curriculum delivery.
- Drafted monthly progress reports for institutional stakeholders, securing funding for essential educational supplies across the region.
- Built and maintained collaborations with local schools and organisations, supporting educational initiatives and conducting sensitisation campaigns that significantly increased school enrolment.
- Secured funding for tuition fees and levies through effective resource management. and distributed educational/scholastic materials for students in primary and secondary schools in Benue state through UNHCR project.
- Managed 100 protection cases in refugee settlements, ensuring access to education, psychosocial support, and safe spaces.
Senior Protection Officer
Caritas Nigeria
01.2022 - 01.2025
- Led community-based protection (CBP) activities, focusing on developing community structures and conducting participatory protection analysis.
- Coordinated with Protection Cluster and service providers to maintain referral pathways and service mapping. Supported the accountability through coordinating project evaluation activities and guiding partners in their efforts to reflect on project experiences.
- Supported and coordinated capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
- Executed project tasks according to the detailed implementation plan, ensuring adherence to timelines and guidelines.
- Oversaw ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at project sites to confirm timely implementation of project activities and adherence to established process standards and procedures.
- Coordinated proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews and follow-up with and assistance to implementing partner. Coordinated provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.
- Successful ensured that learning accurately accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle. Analyze implementation challenges and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
- Coordinated relationships with local project stakeholders, serving as liaison between them and project team to mobilise local actors and enhance project impact.
- Effectively Integrated basic MHPSS and trauma-informed approaches into protection activities. Support implementation of FCRM and integrate safeguarding and PSEA risk mitigation in activities.
Disability Officer
Caritas Nigeria
Ogoja, Nigeria
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Effectively advocated for the rights and needs of people with disabilities, ensuring they have equal opportunities and access to resources.
- Conducted needs assessments for individuals with specific disabilities and developed tailored participation plans, fostering greater inclusion in community activities.
- Coordinated with stakeholders, including individuals with disabilities, families, and service providers, to streamline support services and improve access to resources.
- Contributed to development and implementation of policies promoting disability inclusion, enhancing organisational accessibility.
Protection Officer
Caritas Nigeria
Ogoja, Nigeria
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Executed specialised prevention and response programming for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and child protection, enhancing community awareness and support.
- Intervened with local/national authorities and host communities on behalf of refugees, preventing forced returns and facilitating civil documentation (e.g., birth registrations to prevent statelessness).
- Implemented a community-based reporting system that increased timely case referrals by 40%.
- Enforced compliance with global protection standard operating procedures (SOPs) and implemented fraud prevention strategies across registration and resettlement processes.
- Led development and implementation of protection strategies that documented and addressed incidents and concerns, improving response effectiveness.
- Developed and implemented participatory protection strategies that empower Persons of Concern (PoCs) to become drivers of their own protection.
- Efficiently advocated for registration of a large influx of refugees, ensuring they receive necessary documentation and information, and advancing their asylum claims in a timely manner.
- Provided technical guidance and capacity building, supervised and mentored protection staff, and conducted field visits to monitor and evaluate activities, coordinating with UNHCR and stakeholders for improved service delivery.
Education
PhD - Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
Ikom, Cross River State, NigeriaMSc - Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
Ikom, Cross River State, NigeriaHigher National Diploma (HND) - Electrical Electronics Engineering
Institute of Management and Technology (IMT)
Enugu, NigeriaSkills
Case management software, ProGress, KoboToolbox, Microsoft 365, Excel and PowerPoint
Fluent in English and Igbo
Strategic planning
Team leadership
Mentoring and coaching
Team collaboration
Active communication
Self-motivated
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Certification
- Project Management for Development Professionals (Project Dpro) 2021
- Trauma Informed Care (Refuge Point) 2025
- Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) Certification
- International Refugee and human rights law
REFEREES
upon request
Timeline
Education Officer
Caritas Nigeria
01.2025 - Current
Senior Protection Officer
Caritas Nigeria
01.2022 - 01.2025
Disability Officer
Caritas Nigeria
01.2019 - 01.2022
Protection Officer
Caritas Nigeria
01.2018 - 01.2022
Higher National Diploma (HND) - Electrical Electronics Engineering
Institute of Management and Technology (IMT)
MSc - Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
PhD - Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution
National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)