ABERA TEFERI MERSHA

Victim and Survivor Engagement Advisor

Humanitarian protection professional with over 5 years of humanitarian work experience, including 5+ years of direct child protection (CP) programming, case management, GBV response, and MHPSS service delivery in conflict-affected Tigray, Ethiopia. Demonstrated track record leading CP case management, Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) and UASC alternative-care processes, coordinating multi-sectoral referral pathways, and designing and facilitating Psychological First Aid (PFA), case management, and safeguarding trainings for caseworkers, teachers, guidance counsellors, and community structures. Experienced in establishing and strengthening school-based child protection structures (CP Desks, PTSAs), leading community-level awareness campaigns, and coordinating with Women and Social Affairs Offices and multi-sectoral stakeholders. Fluent in Amharic, Tigrigna, and English; committed to child safeguarding principles and willing to travel and be based in remote woreda locations.

Adigrat, Tigray, Ethiopia
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Languages
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Skills
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Certifications
Work Experience
Child Protection Officer
Innovative Humanitarian Solutions (IHS)Adigrat, Eastern Zone Tigray
Sep 2021 — Dec 2022
  • Conducted comprehensive child protection needs assessments to identify risks and vulnerabilities, including quarterly protection monitoring using standard tools
  • Managed CP case management processes and formulated tailored safety plans, engaging multidisciplinary teams and Women and Social Affairs Offices to strengthen protective services
  • Delivered training on CP case management and CPIMS to staff and community stakeholders; ensured compliance with safeguarding policy and timely documentation of cases
Psychosocial Support Officer (PSSO)
Innovative Humanitarian Solutions (IHS)Adigrat, Eastern Zone Tigray
Jan 2022 — Dec 2023
  • Delivered individual and group psychosocial support and trauma-healing services to children and caregivers in Child-Friendly Space (CFS) settings, supporting school and community-based protection structures
  • Trained and supervised social workers and CFS animators on PSS, PFA, and child protection principles; supported child-led club activities on awareness and peer support
  • Facilitated referrals to health, legal, nutrition, WASH, and protection services, ensuring survivor-centred, child-friendly linkage and follow-up
  • Conducted mass psychoeducation and community awareness campaigns on stress, trauma, coping mechanisms, and mental health stigma reduction
Child Protection Coordinator
Innovative Humanitarian Solutions (IHS)Adigrat, Eastern Zone Tigray
Sep 2023 — Dec 2024
  • Coordinated planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of all child protection activities across assigned woredas
  • Delivered training on child protection case management and general protection principles for staff, teachers, and community actors, including guidance on referral mechanisms and case identification
  • Co-led protection sub-cluster coordination meetings with UN and NGO partners; participated in joint humanitarian missions and rapid protection assessments
  • Monitored adherence to child safeguarding policy across programme sites and ensured timely incident documentation and reporting
Senior Protection Officer (Protection Team Leader)
Innovative Humanitarian Solutions (IHS)Adigrat, Eastern Zone Tigray
Dec 2024 — Dec 2025
  • Led child protection case management, protection monitoring, and community-based protection mechanisms (CBCPM) across multiple woredas in Eastern Zone Tigray, in line with project outputs and budget
  • Provided technical supervision for complex child protection cases, including FTR and alternative care for unaccompanied and separated children (UASC), ensuring adherence to safeguarding standards
  • Designed and delivered capacity-building trainings on CP case management, PFA, and safeguarding for caseworkers, community volunteers, and government partners, including Women and Social Affairs Office staff
  • Represented IHS in humanitarian coordination forums and co-led protection sub-cluster meetings with multi-sectoral stakeholders (education, health, social services)
  • Conducted rapid needs assessments and protection risk analyses; produced bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports for the regional office
MHPSS Officer
Innovative Humanitarian Solutions (IHS)Shire, NW Tigray
Apr 2026 — Present
  • Deliver quality MHPSS interventions and psychoeducation for crisis-affected children, women, and other vulnerable groups, reaching over 500 individuals monthly through community-level awareness sessions
  • Design and facilitate PFA, SEL, parenting-skills, and basic psychosocial support trainings for 50+ community volunteers and frontline case workers, building local capacity for case identification and referral
  • Coordinate case referrals and follow-up with CP, GBV, health, and protection teams; support home-based monitoring of vulnerable children and caregivers for 200+ clients
Skills
Child Protection Case Management (CPCM)PFA & Capacity-Building FacilitationFTR & UASC Alternative Care CoordinationSchool-Based CP Structures (CP Desks, PTSAs)Community Mobilization & Awareness RaisingMulti-Sectoral Referral PathwaysProtection Monitoring (Displacement Sites)Coordination with Government & Social AffairsMHPSS Programming & PsychoeducationCase Documentation & Data Protection ProtocolsSafeguarding & Child Safeguarding ComplianceMicrosoft Office ProficiencyNew sTraining & capacity building peacebuilding, conflict resolution, or community development in NGO. Psychology, Social Work, Gender Studies, Law Desired Skill human rights, transitional justice, social sciences, MHPSS • Strong coordination and networking skills Good communication skills in teamwork, team mobilizations, and partnership managementkill
Education
Master of Arts, Social Psychology
Addis Ababa University
2010 — 2010Very Good
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Addis Ababa University
2007 — 2007
Certifications
Professional Intervention Programme for Adversity (PIPA)
Child Protection Case Management (CPCM-MS)
UNICEF
Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies and Displacement
IOM / USAID E-Campus
Child Protection and MHPSS Training of Trainers (ToT)
IHS
Basic HIV/AIDS and Telephone Counselling Skills
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, CCP
2009
Languages
Amharic
Native
Tigrigna
Native
English
Fluent
References available upon request.
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