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: req41346
Location: Katsina
Employment Type: Full-Time
Employment Category: Regular
Sector: Protection and rule of law
Open to Expatriates: No
Position Reports to: EH/WASH Manager
Position directly supervises: EH/WASH Hygiene Promotion Assistant

Project Overview

• The BHA (Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance) project, Integrated Emergency Response to the Displaced Population in Zamfara, Sokoto, And Katsina States, Northwest Nigeria  will be carried out by a consortium led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in collaboration with the Alliance for International Medical Action (Alima), Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI), and Life Helpers Initiative (LHI), aims to leverage each partner's expertise to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to internally displaced people populations through area-based approach.
• The Consortium partners will provide an integrated multisectoral intervention in Health, Nutrition, WASH, Protection, and Multi-purpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) activities in Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto states in collaboration with state governments, UN organizations and other key actors in Northwest Nigeria.
• The project will be implemented by a dedicated support, quality assurance, and coordination team, who will work closely with all partners through a management unit of well-structured consortium governance for the activity.

Scope of Work

• The IRC is implementing a protection program featuring strengthening of community-based protection structures, capacity building, protection monitoring, information dissemination and referral services.
• The IRC will also building capacity of government authorities, local organizations and local communities around protection mainstreaming and protection monitoring.
• The IRC will also include legal assistance and counselling services. The protection program is currently implemented in the NE States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe and Northwest States of Zamfara and Katsina. 
• The International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) Protection Manager will oversee an IDP and host community Protection program in Katsina and Zamfara States, 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 Consortium Deputy Lead 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 Protection Officer, 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 Katsina and Zamfara States
• Convene and facilitate the monthly/semi-monthly community forum made up of NNGOs, community leaders, protection action groups (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 regard 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 MEAL 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 mechanisms 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.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Consortium Deputy Lead
• Position Technical Support: PROL Coordinator
• Position directly supervises: Protection officer.
• Indirect Reporting: DDP. Consortium Team Lead

Qualifications

• Degree in Law, International Law, Human Rights, Social science 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:
• Fluency in English and other languages desirable. 
• Knowledge of the local language will be an added value.

Computer / Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
•  Ability to Travel: 50% of time if applicable

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.

Working Environment:

• IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on 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.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online