Iraq: Protection Coordinator

Background/IRC Summary: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises in over 40 countries, and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives, restoring their safety, dignity and hope. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The mission of the IRC is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. The IRC serves people forced to flee from war, conflict and natural disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities.

The IRC's Protection Team works to safeguard the human rights and wellbeing of those affected by years of war and sectarian strife. Displaced Iraqis, as well as those who were formerly displaced, often lack access to critical documentation, basic social services and key information about their civil rights. In South and Central Iraq, the IRC's Protection programming is currently comprised of Protection and Reintegration Centers funded by UNHCR as well as community based protection programming funded by BPRM. Both projects are focused on increasing the safety and agency of Iraqis and Refugees who are currently or formerly displaced. With Protection at the forefront of the crisis in Iraq, the IRC's team is a leader in ensuring that vulnerable communities are receiving access to information and services through Protection Monitoring, Legal Case Management and Community-based support.

IRC Iraq is currently looking for a strategy leader for it's ongoing protection activities with a geographic focus on Southern and Central Iraq. The ideal candidate has excellent technical capacity in human rights and legal protection, coordination and networking skills, the capacity to innovate and solve problems efficiently and the ability to work effectively within the overall context of insecurity and access challenges in Iraq.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Protection Coordinator is the leader of the Protection, Rule of Law team and responsible for overall management, strategy development, program design, implementation, quality, monitoring and evaluation of all activities in the fields of protection, human rights, and Rule of Law with a primary focus on the Central region of Iraq. Primary duties include strengthening the protection sector across the range of current activities implemented by IRC in Iraq, technical oversight of the protection program and strategic positioning of IRC in Iraq for the delivery of high quality protection programming going forward.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Strategy and new business development

• Coordinate the expansion of Protection programming in close collaboration with the Protection field team;
• Identify opportunities for, design and develop concept notes and proposals for further protection programming;
• Provide Protection input on proposals from other sectors to ensure protection is mainstreamed across IRC programming
• Participate in the development of budgets for program proposals in conjunction with the finance department.
• Work closely with IRC's Technical Unit to integrate innovative approaches to Protection programing and to provide lessons learned and feedback to global initiatives including the IRC2020 outcomes and evidence framework

Program management and quality

• Together with the Deputy Director of Programs provide strategic direction and vision to the IRC's Protection programming in Iraq, with an emphasis on maintaining program quality during a period of expansion.
• Ensure that protection monitoring data and analysis is of a high standard and shared in a timely manner with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure that all interventions are in compliance with the IRC's protection mainstreaming framework, international law and protection standards and national policies.
• Ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are effectively designed and integrated into all stages of the project; that output and impact data are captured and that data is used to optimize program quality.
• Participate in cross-departmental collaboration and coordination in order to ensure that linkages between programs are made and programs gain from protection best practice; in particular with regular contact and coordination with Coordinators and Managers in other sectors.
• Oversee implementation of Protection programs, including budget oversight in coordination with Protection Managers, Field Coordinators and Field teams (budget forecasting, supporting field-staf to develop spending plans and budget follow-up) and reporting in accordance with IRC and donor regulations.
• Promptly identify and recommend solutions to technical issues.
• Support Protection teams and the Field Coordinator on implementation and trouble shoot technical issues when necessary.
• Contribute to Emergency Preparedness activities as identified.

Representation, coordination and advocacy

• Coordinate with DDP/CD to forge connections with key government counterparts at the ministerial level, UN, I/NGOs, human rights actors, municipal and other sub-national government actors.
• Represent the IRC in high level and strategic meetings involving protection actors such as protection working group meetings, inter-agency coordination meetings, and bi-lateral meetings.
• 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.
• In collaboration with the DDP/CD and regional advocacy team, ensure that the protection program delivers on advocacy goals as articulated in the country wide advocacy strategy.

Grant Monitoring & Reporting

• Undertake regular field monitoring visits to assess progress and identify technical quality issues and/or other implementation issues, provide solutions and implement modifications as required.
• Produce/contribute to IRC and donor reports as per set schedules (monthly, quarterly and annually) on grant activities, indicators and achievements.

Human Resources Management and Development

• Supervise the Senior Protection and Advocacy Manager and oversee Central Iraq Protection team to ensure implementation of good quality programming.
• Discuss job expectations, set objectives and provide appropriate and timely feedback regarding performance, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system.
• Clearly define the training needs of direct reports and ensure they are able to access training and professional development resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs.
• 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 including staff development plans.
• Provide leadership support for the successful implementation of and adherence to the IRC Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures.
• Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability to the "IRC Way" - Global Standards for Professional Conduct

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional 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, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

REQUIREMENTS

• Post-graduate degree in international law, human rights law, international relations, social sciences, or other related field;
• At least five years experience working in the field of Protection or Human Rights in conflict-affected areas;
• Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, capacity building, project design and budget management;
• Experience in working with and coordinating with the UN, EU, US donors, INGOs, etc;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with excellent analysis and writing skills;
• Strong team and people leadership, management, organizational and development skills;
• Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure effectively and productively;
• Working experience in Iraq or the Middle East a plus;
• Excellent English writing skills, knowledge of Arabic a plus.

SECURITY SITUATION/ HOUSING :

This position is based in Baghdad but with Frequent travel to Erbil. Baghdad is on security Phase 3 (Orange) , other parts of the country are yellow, or red if clashes are ongoing. The majority security concerns is the presence of armed men across the psectrum of regular armed forces, volunteer militias and armed opposition groups. Staff in Iraq must comply with all IRC security policies and procedures applicable to international staff.

Shared housing in a guest house will be provided. The position is unaccompanied.

Please follow this link to apply: http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=a2F0cmluYW1pbGxlci4yNTA1NS4zODMwQGlyYy5hcGxpdHJhay5jb20