Protection Manager at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) 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, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Protection Manager

Requisition ID: req8222
Locations: Damaturu - Yobe, Mubi - Adamawa
Sector: Protection and rule of law
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No

Background

• IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In early 2014, IRC opened a field office in Mubi town of Adamawa state in NE Nigeria followed by offices in Yola (Adamawa state) in November 2014 and Maiduguri (Borno state) in October 2015 and Yobe.  
• 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.

Scope of Work:

• The International Rescue Committee's (IRC) Protection Manager will oversee an IDP and host community Protection program in Borno, State. In this capacity, the Protection Manager will be responsible for day-to-day supervision and oversight of protection teams in Yobe and various protection activities, budget management, administration, and implementation of the requirements of the programs.
• The Protection Manager will work closely with other IRC Sectors and partner agencies operating in Yobe State.
• This position will report to the Protection and Rule of Law Coordinator, and receive technical support from the Protection and Rule of Law Coordinator.   

Responsibilities
Program Management & Development:

• Create and execute work plans, spending plans, procurement plans and related systems to ensure that project deadlines are met and targets achieved.
• Supervise and coach the Senior Protection Officer, Capacity building & Training Officer, Legal Officer and Protection Officers to conduct monitoring home visits, surveys , participatory assessments and/or community consultations focused on protection concerns and the identification of Persons with Special Needs (PSN) within the community. Ensure that monitoring visits respect principles of confidentiality of interviewees and that all incidents reported to IRC are handled with due regard to protection principles.
• Supervise and coach the Protection Officers to deliver awareness-raising activities on topics such as service availability and access to Justice.
• Support the Protection Officers in maintaining a good working knowledge of available services from IRC and partners, and an ability to make appropriate referrals to those services in the course of protection monitoring and community outreach activities.
• Develop and maintain a good knowledge of the protection situation locally and the priority needs of the IDP population and host community. Compile protection assessment reports to inform IRC and partner programming in Adamawa/Borno/Yobe
• Convene and facilitate the monthly/semi-monthly community forum made up of NNGOs, community leaders, PAGs, local authorities, women's committee representatives, and others to discuss community priorities and NNGO plans.
• Support the Capacity Building Officers and the Legal Officers in capacity building of community-based protection mechanisms through training, support, and maintenance of the PAGs throughout the State.
• Conduct protection mainstreaming activities, especially in regards to partner programming including WFP General Food Distributions to ensure that protection principles are prioritized in service delivery and that vulnerable IDPs and host community members have equal access to services.
• Participate in the development of proposals, budgets and concept notes in coordination with the Protection and Rule Law Coordinator, DDP, Grants team, and HQ Technical Unit.
• Contribute to the development of the Country Sector Strategy for the Nigeria Protection Program.
• Support other protection programs as needed, including Child Protection and Women's Protection and Empowerment.

Staff Management:

• Recruit national staff in conjunction with the Human Resources Department.
• Maintain updated job descriptions, conduct interviews, orient new staff to the IRC and the Protection Program.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to the Protection Team through regular supervision and feedback on performance  
• Build the capacity of the Protection Staff to improve their range of capabilities related to the Protection Program and its activities
• Ensure Performance Management System documentation for all staff is in place and followed up regularly.

Grants Management and Reporting:

• Manage and oversee grants; develop and maintain work, spending and procurement plans for all projects.
• Participate in Grants Opening, Mid-Term and Closing meetings.
• Prepare internal and external reports within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats, as required.
• Ensuring effective implementation of M&E systems throughout the lifetime of the project.
• Manage the project budget; review monthly Budget vs. Actual, Weekly consolidated PRTS and expenditure sheets and collaborate with the Supply Chain and Finance department to ensure accurate expenditures and reporting.

Representation & Coordination:

• Actively participate in coordination mechanism with partners, IDPs, and host community leaders to ensure information sharing and coordination of interventions, and to enable meaningful participation of both IDPs and host communities.
• Liaise with partners, particularly through the protection sector working group/coordination mechanism, to share findings and any issues of relevance and/or concern related to the local context or broader trends.
• Establish relationships with other NGOs, international organizations, government offices, particularly those working in protection and participate in relevant coordination forums.

Qualifications

• Degree in Law, International Law, Human Rights or International Affairs
• Minimum of three years of professional experience in protection programming in a displacement setting
• Previous working experience with US and European donors is an asset
• Strong understanding of protection principles and likely protection concerns arising in the Nigeria context as well as conflict sensitivity
• Experience in complex emergencies and the ability to live and work in a very remote environment
• Ability to work under pressure and without daily supervision
• Demonstrated skill in staff management in a cross- cultural environment
• Demonstrated analytical skills and report writing experience required
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Good communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with community members and leaders.
• Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.

Languages:

• English, Hausa

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

• Competent user of MS Applications: Word and Excel, Outlook.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Important Information / Notice

• 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.
• 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.
• 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, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.