Protection and Rule of Law Coordinator

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading international organization working in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those affected by the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Operating in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. A lead responder in Iraq since 2003, the IRC is providing robust programming across seven governorates through women’s protection and empowerment, child protection and protection and rule of law programming; economic recovery and development programming; governance; and integrated early childhood development programming. The IRC is focused on strengthening social cohesion, with the aim of strengthening connectedness and cohesion among actors at different levels, from community groups to CSOs, to national authorities. The IRC is also currently working providing legal information as well as legal assistance and case management. Moving forward, IRC Iraq will start expanding its work towards justice systems support and system strengthening, with a focus on minorities and vulnerable groups such as women, persons with disabilities, and people with perceived affiliations.

Job Overview/Summary

The IRC’s Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) team works to safeguard the human rights and wellbeing of those affected by years of war and sectarian strife. The PRoL Coordinator is the leader of the Protection and Rule of Law team and responsible for overall management, strategy development, program design, and implementation quality of all activities in the fields of protection, human rights, and rule of law.

Major Responsibilities

Program Management and Quality

• Oversee implementation of Protection and Legal programs, including budget oversight in coordination with Protection Managers, Field Coordinators and Field teams (budget forecasting, supporting field-staff to develop spending plans and budget follow-up) and reporting in accordance with IRC and donor regulations.

• 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 global protection standards and national policies.

• In coordination with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator, 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. Ensure client feedback is reviewed and used for program design and adaptation.

• 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.

• Collaboratively manage local partnerships in alignment with IRC’s partnerships principles and approach to identify risk management strategies, develop project monitoring frameworks, project review and adaptation, review reporting, and support coordination with other actors and government stakeholders.

Program Strategy and New Business Development

• Identify, monitor and report unmet needs. Explore the potential of the IRC to address those needs, particularly on institutional systems strengthening, within the parameters of the Strategic Action Plan and sector priorities.

• In collaboration with Partnerships staff, proactively identify potential partnerships with local and national organizations. Engage with relevant government stakeholders at the local and national levels to promote protection outcomes.

• Work closely with IRC’s Technical Unit to integrate innovative approaches, tools and resources to Protection programming and to provide lessons learned and feedback to global initiatives including the IRC2020 outcomes and evidence framework.

• Lead on the design and development of new protection programming opportunities. Lead on the development of protection programming budgets for program proposals.

External Representation, Coordination and Advocacy

• Coordinate with DDP and 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, Policy, Advocacy and Communications Advisor, ensure that the protection program delivers on advocacy goals as articulated in the country wide advocacy strategy.

Team Management and Development

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of Protection team members in relevant technical and management competencies; place special emphasis on recruiting, identifying and grooming national staff to take leadership roles in Protection programming;

• Support collaborative partner relationships focused on mutual learning and capacity building as well as technical guidance in areas of IRC expertise, including training/mentoring support and performance management that fully reflects the skills and attitudes required to work effectively in partnership;

• 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;

• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies;

Key working relationships

Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs

Position supervises: Senior Protection Manager in Erbil and field-based Managers

Key Internal Contacts:

 Program Coordinators (Child Protection, Early Childhood Development, Economic Recovery and Development, and Women’s Protection and Empowerment); Field Coordinators; Monitoring & Evaluation Team, Partnerships and Grants Teams; Policy Advocacy and Communications Advisor; and Supply Chain, HR, and Finance teams.

 Region/Global: PRoL Technical Advisor as well as other members of the Program Quality Unit

Key External Contacts: other protection actors, including coordination within ABCs, national and local government stakeholders, and partner organization staff.

Qualifications

Education:

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

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years’ professional humanitarian/development experience, including specific experience in protection programming or human rights in emergency or post conflict settings.

• Demonstrated experience using international human rights standards in protection programming

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Thorough understanding of best practices and evidence-based strategies in protection mainstreaming, protection monitoring, legal programming and system strengthening

• Demonstrated coordination and capacity building skills with key partners

• Strong experience, knowledge and skills in participatory methods, community development and partnership

• Experience in designing and leading protection programs in both humanitarian and development settings is an asset

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• Demonstrated experience in successfully leading, building and strengthening a team in an evolving, fast paced environment;

• Excellent project management skills, including strong financial literacy (understanding of budget development and management as applied to program development and implementation)

• Excellent interpersonal skills, positive and professional attitude, ability to lead and work well in a team setting and with multiple partners;

• Previous experience and understanding of basic human resources, finance, supply chain and grants management notions;

Languages:

Professional fluency in spoken and written English is required. Arabic a plus.

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

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

Ability to Travel: 30 – 50% within Iraq for program oversight, when security allows, and in 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, Equality 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: This position will be based in Erbil, Iraq. Movement is flexible but may be restricted at times due to the security situation.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.