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)
Sep 2021 — Dec 2022Adigrat, Eastern Zone Tigray
  • 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)
Jan 2022 — Dec 2023Adigrat, Eastern Zone Tigray
  • 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)
Sep 2023 — Dec 2024Adigrat, Eastern Zone Tigray
  • 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)
Dec 2024 — Dec 2025Adigrat, Eastern Zone Tigray
  • 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)
Apr 2026 — PresentCurrentShire, NW Tigray
  • 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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