Jordan: Senior Integrated Protection Coordinator, Syria

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Inside Syria, 7.6 million people are internally displaced and 12.2 million are in need of humanitarian assistance, with 4.8 million in hard-to-reach areas. There are 4 million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis. With an annual budget in excess of $140 million and a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 3,000 staff and workers in the region, IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, education, women's protection and empowerment, NFI and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary

The Senior Integrated Protection Coordinator provides overall strategic direction for the integrated protection program in Syria. The position will ensure integration of protection principles and approaches across other sector programs and maximize and advocacy built upon primary evidence on protection trends in northern & southern Syria. The Senior Coordinator will work closely with sector leads and Deputy Director of Programs to develop a comprehensive integrated protection approach, inclusive of Women's Protection and Empowerment, Child Protection and Protection and Rule of Law programming. This will be guided by the country Strategic Action Plan which ensures coherence across the portfolio and a needs-based protection approach to service delivery for displaced persons and other at-risk populations.

The Senior Integrated Protection Coordinator will lead the analysis of protection programming modality, determining whether working in partnership with Syrian organizations or direct implementation will produce the best outcomes for the people we serve, based on IRC's strategic objectives. He/she will have lead responsibility for the strategic development of partner relationships; for ensuring effective collaboration with partners based on principles of equality, transparency, responsibility and complementarity; and for ensuring that technical capacity strengthening support to partners effectively addresses their priority needs. He/she will lead in the development and implementation of a research agenda on protection issues in Syria, and work closely with senior management, regional and HQ counterparts, IRC media and advocacy departments, and others, to ensure IRC's public positions are in line with trends and issues on the ground in Syria. The Senior Integrated Protection Coordinator will contribute to the development of a harmonized regional approach to protection monitoring and enhanced sharing of protection tools and approaches across IRC's regional programs.

Major Responsibilities

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

• In collaboration with Senior and Regional Management, develop a comprehensive integrated protection strategy for northern and southern Syria that enhances our capacity to efficiently and coherently deliver needs-based integrated protection services, and incorporating an appropriate balance of partnerships and direct implementation.
• Lead in the management of the protection team for Syria, including technical coordinators responsible for delivery of their respective pillars. This is a senior and strategic role which requires strong skills in team management and a structured approach to program delivery.
• Lead a comprehensive assessment of opportunities for greater cross-sector integration within IRC's program units, and develop a workplan for reaching integration goals, both with respect to programs implemented directly by IRC as well as those delivered in partnership; as required, support development of cross-sector SOPs, tools, training modules, etc.
• Provide strategic direction, leadership and overall technical and management oversight to the integrated protection portfolio in northern and southern Syria in line with the Strategy Action Plan outcomes for safety.
• Working closely with sector leads, ensure IRC's ongoing integrated protection program reflects standards for best practice, quality, and innovation, and are responsive and adapted based on monitoring data to ensure implementation modalities remain context- and need-appropriate.
• Ensure effective, collaborative protection partnerships with Syrian organizations that result in more effective, responsive and durable assistance that reaches more people.
• Lead development of innovative approaches and toolkits for urban and community-based protection programming; support the implementation of these tools and learning on their effectiveness in Syria and among other IRC country programs.
• Ensure that technical capacity strengthening support to partners effectively addresses their priority needs.
• Liaise with program sector leads, supply chain and finance staff to ensure timely payments, distributions and compliance for activities.
• Ensure smooth management and integration of project work plans and budgets (budget forecasting, development of spending plans and budget follow-up), timely recruitment, partner support plans, and accurate reporting in accordance with IRC and donor regulations.
• Liaise with Technical Unit advisors to ensure relevant support, tools and resources are being provided and integrated into programming.
• Actively and meaningfully participate in all grant management meeting processes.

Program Development

• Proactively continue to grow the northern and southern Syria integrated protection portfolio through development of concept notes and proposals to existing and new donors, maintaining a coherent integrated protection strategy across IRC's areas of intervention in Syria.
• Support the identification of opportunities for integrated programming initiatives in support of service delivery and/or thought leadership in collaboration with country program senior management, business development staff and TU advisors. Collaborate with Syrian partners on the identification of business development opportunities, and the design of new interventions.
• Anticipate, plan and manage programmatic and structural transitions.
• In collaboration with the MEAL team, support integrated protection staff to develop and utilize relevant monitoring tools and adapt them to context.
• Support the development of business development skills and responsibility among the integrated protection team, with a particular focus on national staff.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of Integrated Protection team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Lead collaborative partner relationships focused on mutual learning and capacity building as well as technical guidance in areas of IRC expertise, including through recruitment, training/mentoring support and performance management that fully reflects the skills and attitudes required to work effectively in partnership
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in Syria.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews..
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Research, Learning and Analysis

• Lead Integrated Protection assessments and context-appropriate research aimed at generating a strong evidence base for IRC protection programming, as well as informing IRC advocacy.
• Work closely with IRC's advocacy and media teams, and the Protection Technical Unit for the launch and dissemination of research reports and findings.
• Contribute to the advocacy efforts of IRC Syria and the Middle East Region through analysis of the policy environment and trends, staff briefings, and external representation in relevant discussions the region.
• Support the greater sharing and use of research and learning within IRC's program sectors, including by contributing to program development and design, to ensure interventions are responsive to needs and informed by a sound understanding of the environment(s) in Syria
• Identify, monitor and report unmet needs. Explore the potential of the IRC to address those needs within the parameters of the Strategic Action Plan and sector priorities.

Coordination & Representation

• As needed and in coordination with other protection sector leads and country program management, represents IRC in inter-agency forums and discussions.
• Regularly coordinate with internal program and operational stakeholders, the Protection/Rule of Law Technical Advisors, Women's Protection and Empowerment, Children's Protection, Economic Recovery and Development, Education and other IRC colleagues.
• Lead responsibility for the strategic development and maintenance of partner relationships with Syrian organizations.
• Participate in relevant working groups both within and outside of the UN cluster system.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Deputy Director for Programs Position directly supervises: WPE Coordinator, Child Protection Coordinator, Protection Coordinator, Information Management Manager, and Program Support Assistant.

Indirect Reporting : Protection and Rule of Law Technical Advisor Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Grants Department, Country Director, Supply Chain, Finance, HR, Research Evaluation and Learning Technical Unit

External: Protection Working Group/Cluster bodies, peer and partner agencies, donors

Job Requirements

Education:

BA/BS Degree in international development, law, human rights, or a related field; MA/MS a plus.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years' professional humanitarian/development experience.
• Minimum of 5 years' specific experience in protection programming (inclusive of women's protection and empowerment and/or child protection) in emergency or post conflict settings.
• Demonstrated experience using international human rights standards in protection programming
• Prior experience working in remote-management situations preferred
• Prior experience collaborating with and supporting local partner organizations.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Strong program/technical and budget management skills, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties.
• INGO experience required; experience working with the interagency coordination mechanisms desirable.
• Strong technical and operational knowledge of Protection programming in a remote context.
• Proven experience in implementing programs under grants, including donor reporting and proposal development.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering capacity-building activities.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively represent IRC at forums and with donors.
• Strong negotiation skills essential with experience in conflict resolution desirable.
• Superior oral and written communication skills, with ability to express ideas and concepts clearly and persuasively with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience of working successfully with local stakeholders such as local and international NGOs, government, etc. with sensitivity and diplomacy.
• Proven ability to design and lead training engagements with staff and partners to enhance skills and adapt to changing program demands.
• Mature and structured approach to team management and project delivery.
• Positive attitude to work, self-reflective, motivated, inspired, collegial.
• Proven ability to work well in and promote teamwork, thrive in a multi-cultural environment, be flexible and handle pressure with professional grace.

Languages:

• Professional fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Familiarity with Arabic is an advantage.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Ability to Travel: 10 - 20% within the region and globally for workshops and conferences.

Standards of Professional Conduct The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Attention Returning National Candidates IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs. We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a national of the country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply.

Working Environment

The overall security situation in Jordan is relatively calm, especially in Amman. The Jordanian government is stable, and civil unrest is largely peaceful. However, Jordan's generosity in hosting refugees from Palestine, Iraq and now Syria have created huge strains on the country's economy and infrastructure. The IRC office is in a modern professional building.

IRC is offering this post as fully accompanied for the successful candidate and accompanying dependents including: vacation leave, home leave, education allowance, housing, water, electricity, internet connectivity, and other generous benefits. Modern amenities (health care, international schools, etc.) are readily available.

Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=YXN0cmlkLm1hdGhldy40NTMzMC4zODMwQGlyYy5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20