Protection Team Leader – Anbar

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a prominent international organization working in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. 

Working in coordination with the humanitarian community, the IRC currently addresses the needs of conflict-affected populations from several operational bases across Iraq. IRC’s activities focus primarily on the protection and legal assistance, cash assistance and livelihood, distribution of non-food items, education and women and children’s protection, and form part of an over-arching humanitarian response in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Syria, Iraq and the region that seeks to assist refugees, IDPs and war-affected people survive conflict and displacement.

Position Overview

Under the direct supervision of the PROL Manager based in Anbar and the technical supervision of the Senior Protection Manager and PROL Coordinator, the Protection Team Leader will be primarily responsible for ensuring the overall implementation of activities to monitor and respond to the protection/human rights situation of people affected by the crisis in Anbar, while meeting quality standards. The Protection Team Leader will directly supervise the day to day work of the Protection Officers in Anbar, providing support to the Team in conducting mobile field visits to villages, camps and other IDP settlements, assessing the needs of the communities, households and individuals and referring urgent protection concerns to appropriate and specialized service providers (CP, GBV, Legal cases). Protection Teams will also provide critical information on service provision and procedures to access services, counseling support and interventions with authorities and other stakeholders to mitigate risks. He/she will ensure proper coordination between all aspects of the protection program in the field allowing for an effective response and ensuring that principles of confidentiality and ethics are upheld throughout the program implementation.

Job Responsibilities

Management and Staff Supervision

1. Directly supervises the Protection Officers
2. Coordinates activities with the PROL Manager and the Senior Protection Manager, lead all day to day protection activities in the governorate.
3. With guidance from the PROL Manager and Senior Protection Manager, establishes a monthly work plan for all protection activities including:

• A monthly Mobile Team plan
• Establish and monitor a monthly advocacy/networking plan.
• Targets for cases received and processed by protection lawyers

4. Manages all requests for information/ intervention from the PROL Manager and/or the PROL Coordinator
5. Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit, supporting professional development, and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
6. Ensure timely completion and submission of monthly timesheets, probations reviews and annual performance reviews.
7. Support program quality by guiding the team on the PROL program SOPs, tools and guidance, as well as the SOPs and guidance of the National Protection Cluster and sub-Clusters, and other relevant clusters and technical working groups.
8. Regularly participate and represent IRC in local protection cluster meetings and other relevant forums.
9. Plan/coordinate and oversee staff vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities
10. If/as required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.

Implementation

1. Provide direction and monitor staff in their implementation of the work plan and quality of technical activities, share relevant information to the PROL Manager, Senior Protection Manager and PROL Coordinator, and direction to improve quality and achieve timelines
2. Provide technical support to Protection Officers/Monitors in protection/human rights monitoring in crisis-affected areas, in line with the work plan (spot observations, focus group discussions, household assessments, Community Assessments, Key Informant Interviews, individual interviews and observation) and with respect for principles of confidentiality, ethical information gathering and age/gender/diversity mainstreaming
3. Support staff under supervision in providing accurate/up-to-date information on service provision and availability to the monitored population – and identification and assessment of particularly vulnerable or at risk individuals and families during monitoring or outreach and other activities by the team
4. Ensure Protection Teams develop and implement effective action plan in accordance with IDP needs, capacities and goals, making sure all options are explored before deciding on a plan and looking for options when the services needed are not available.
5. Work to improve linkages of individuals and families to provision of services with referral partners and appropriate case management service providers, (GBV, CP or IRC legal service providers) – ensuring Protection Teams appropriately monitor, review and follow up with services provided to cases as per the standard operating procedures
6. Ensure coordination with IRC Legal Team in dealing with cases that need both legal and social welfare interventions with a focus on the following cases: divorce, inheritance, marriage, education, social welfare, pension, detentions and children issues.
7. In coordination with the PROL Coordinator / Senior Protection Manager, PROL Manager and Legal Manager, conducts evidence-based advocacy initiatives (phone calls, letters or meetings) with local authorities, other organizations (NGOs), UN Agencies, enabling wider groups new/unregistered IDPs to access needed services.
8. Reports any serious protection concern or rights violation to the Protection Coordinator and the Senior Protection Manager.
9. Work to strengthen IRC’s relationship with community leaders in order to maintain good access to IDPs
10. In coordination with the Database/Reporting Officer, leads the consolidation of protection data ensuring correct input of information on assessments is uploaded to the database, and confidentiality is maintained.
11. Act as focal point for team reporting, coordination with legal counterparts to produce weekly progress report and participate in planning meetings
12. Assist in drafting monthly reports as directed by the Protection Coordinator / Protection Manager
13. Provide regular de-briefings to the Protection manager and Protection Coordinator on progress and recommendations on interventions and strategic direction of protection programming in Baghdad

Coordination

1. Coordinates with all relevant stakeholders (Local authority, NGOs, etc.) in Baghdad to ensure effective implementation of protection activities.
2. Participate in relevant coordination meetings, including the Protection Working Group, with sub-clusters and working groups covering Baghdad/Central South Iraq.

Other duties

1. Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of Protection Officers/Monitors; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and, when advised and appropriate, liaising with external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs
2. Other duties as assigned by the PROL Manager / Sr Protection Manager / PROL Coordinator to develop IRC programs

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: PROL Manager
Position directly supervises: Protection Officers

Indirect Reporting: Senior Protection Manager, PROL Coordinator
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Legal Team, MEAL, Supply Chain, Finance, HR

External: Community groups, local NGOs/partners, UN agencies, sub-national clusters

• Bachelor or University Degree, preferably in the field of law or political science, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or other related field
• At least 3 years of experience in protection programming, human rights work or community/social work. Of which 1 year experience in leading a team.
• Understanding of monitoring and evaluation in the context of programming
• Excellent drafting and oral communication skills in Arabic and English (bilingual drafting and oral communication skills in Arabic and English is preferred)
• Experience in training and/or building capacity of team members through coaching and mentoring
• INGO and emergency experience preferred
• Understanding of international human rights and Iraqi law preferred
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination and safety of beneficiaries at all times.
• Good communication skills including ability to gain trust and build relationships with new communities.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility.
• Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment.
• Flexibility in working overtime when needed and ability to handle pressure well.
• Good computer skills (Microsoft Word and Excel).
• Experience working with the affected population in the area
• Knowledge of human rights organizations and the local protection community operating in the area is preferred
• High standard of spoken and written Arabic and English
• Computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and Power point.
• Experience in regular report writing.

Standards of Professional Conduct: 

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in 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.

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 maternity leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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, IRC 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.

Notice to all Job Seekers

IRC implements an equal employment opportunity policy and our recruitment process is based on merit.

Applicants and/or successful interview candidates (both internal and external) are not required to pay any fees at any stage of the recruitment process.

If anyone asks you for any financial or non-financial favors to help you secure a job at IRC, kindly report to [email protected].

ملاحظة لكل الباحثين عن وظيفة

تعتمد لجنة الانقاذ الدولية سياسة فرص عمل متساوية  وان عملية التوظيف لدينا تعتمد على الجدارة  .

لايتوجب على المتقدمين لاي وظيفة او المؤهلين للمقابلات (سواء كانوا موظفيين حالين او متقدمين من خارج المنظمة) دفع اي مبلغ مالي خلال اي مرحلة من مراحل التوظيف.

اذا قام اي شخص بطلب اي خدمة مالية او غير مالية لقاء مساعدتكم في تأمين فرصة عمل داخل المنظمة ،يرجى الابلاغ عن ذلك الى [email protected]

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.

Please click on the below link: 

The closing date is: 23-Feb-2022