INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.
Terms of reference
Job Title: Protection Coordinator
Code: SR-28-2095
Duty station: Kabul and Kandahar (with possible visits to other provinces)
Starting date: 01/01/2022
Contract duration: 6 months, renewable
Reporting to: Head of Mission (hierarchically), Programme protection advisor (functionally)
Supervision of: Functional supervision of Protection teams
Dependents: Non-family Duty station
General context of the project
Over 40 years of conflicts and political turmoil have taken a massive cumulative toll on the people of Afghanistan. A total of 18.4 million people, almost half of the total population, have been estimated by the UN to need humanitarian assistance prior to recent events. Severe droughts are recurring in Afghanistan, currently resulting in nearly 14 million people in acute food insecurity, with over 3 million children facing severe malnourishment. The recent displacement of 550,000 people is adding to an estimated 2.9 million people who remain internally displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance, while winter months are around the corner.
INTERSOS has been working in Afghanistan since 2001, with a country office in Kabul, and field bases in Kandahar and Zabul provinces. In recent years INTERSOS has been focusing its assistance based on integrated community-based approach that includes primary health care (including sexual and reproductive health care), nutrition and protection programmes serving conflict-affected populations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, with a special focus on socially excluded individuals, including women, children and persons living with disabilities.
With its operational approach and active engagement with the communities, INTERSOS has been enjoying strong community acceptance and operational access. All INTERSOS activities continue to be implemented in Afghanistan at present time, with no operational restrictions and with full inclusion of female staff.
It is widely anticipated that Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation may deteriorate further, given that the international support to key essential and social services – food aid, health, education, and other essential services, is currently frozen. Although humanitarian aid can not replace this gap, the international assistance that prioritises urgent humanitarian needs will be essential.
At the same time, unless the operational environment with all its impediments (including in relation to banking/cash transfers and counter-terrorism measures) does not improve, the response will continue to be a challenge.
Recognising that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan will require a more intensified international humanitarian assistance, INTERSOS remains in Afghanistan to deliver its ongoing activities, and potentially scale up its response.
General purpose of the position
The Protection Coordinator ensures coordination of protection programming in the mission with the aim to achieve a maximum quality and delivery of the different components of the INTERSOS protection programme. Furthermore, the protection coordinator provides technical inputs to the protection strategy and programme development at Mission level.
Main responsibilities and tasks
Program Coordination and Support
o Revise and develop the protection tools in use in the mission;
o Develop and consolidate internal and external functional and effective referral and coordination mechanisms;
o Developing SOPs and guidelines for the implementation of Protection Programming for INTERSOS Mission of Afghanistan;
o Ensure that the work of protection staff is harmonized according to internal SOPs and interagency guidelines;
o Revise tools and topics for FGDs (Focus Group Discussions) and material for awareness,
o information and/or sensitization sessions in coordination with Protection Activity Managers and Project Manager;
o Organize meetings with the protection Staff (PMs and Protection AM) on a regular basis, in order to discuss priorities for the next period, challenges, protection trends, sharing information, experiences and suggestions between programs
o Participate in monitoring missions in the field ;
o Provide technical support to the Protection AM in elaborating monthly reports when needed;
o Contribute to the INTERSOS Protection Strategy for 2019 / 2020.
o Ensure the proper storage of sensitive data through the correct use of internal databases and case monitoring tools
o Ensure to put in place a quality complaint mechanism and conduct a beneficiary satisfaction survey at the end of the project implementation to measure the impact of the activities and adapt the program to better meet the needs and respond to the gaps for assistance in the project target areas.
Management and supervision
o Review work plans of Protection AMs and define priorities together with Project Manager;
o Review PAT of Protection components, focusing on target planned VS actual achievements. Identify challenges and sit with the PMs in order to find solution
o Upon completion by the Project Managers, review and provide feedback on IRP for Protection AMs.
o In coordination and consultation with PM, to complete the recruitment and selection of the protection project national staff
Capacity Building
o In coordination with the Project Managers and Protection AMs, identify individual training needs and ensure access to professional development opportunities and resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs;
o Train all relevant protection staff (Case Workers and CW Team Leaders, Lawyers, Psychologists, etc.) in protection topics including protection and humanitarian principles, GBV and CP basic principles, case management for PWSNs and PSS;
o Develop training material for different trainings to share within the protection staff and other partners;
o Develop capacity-building programmes for local actors – if any (including partner NGOs and relevant local service providers) on GBV and CP basic principles, case management and data protection.
Case Management Monitoring
o Develop internal SOPs on case management and ensure they are applied in the field, updating/ revising them based on the needs;
o Ensure case management minimum standards are respected in all steps of case management;
o Advise the Protection AMs, Case Workers and CWTL and Psychologists as needed (complex cases);
o Ensure appropriate Information Management Systems are in place;
o Realize case audits (in collaboration with the Case Workers Team Leaders and Protection AMs) to evaluate the quality of services provision;
o Coordinate with other relevant actors within the case management support to ensure comprehensive assistance;
o Encourage local coping mechanisms and community self-reliant processes;
o Develop periodic General Protection, GBV and CP trend analysis.
Psychosocial Support Activities
o Monitor and evaluate the implementation of psychosocial support activities;
o Support the development and ensure the roll out of internal PSS toolkits;
Protection Mainstreaming
o Ensure GBV and CP mainstreaming in each new project or programme proposal;
o Ensure collection of disaggregated data for reporting and analysis purposes.
External Coordination and Representation
o Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders including donors, partners, government actors and other relevant actors, international or national, humanitarian or institutional;
o Represent INTERSOS in main Protection, GBV and CPiE coordination fora (including related strategic advisory groups and task forces) at national and provincial level together with the Protection AMs ensuring INTERSOS is represented in all coordination meetings;
o Ensure key protection field concerns are brought to relevant stakeholders;
o Brief relevant staff on the discussions held during the Working Group and Cluster meetings.Contribute to monitoring programme implementation and quality;
o Undertake regular field visits (if / where possible) to provide technical guidance and supervision, as well as continuously monitor the progress of the case management and referral activities;
o Contribute to the production of high-quality donor reports and other materials as required;
o Support the development of new project/programme proposals through technical inputs to and feedback about the project/programme methodology.
o Data Protection
o Draft guidelines and checklist on data protection that encompasses use of codes for ICM across all projects, harmonize mechanism of data processing (forms and database).
o Ensure passwords are appropriately created and used, both for files and laptops and other electronic devices (e.g. USB, phones, taps), and ensure data back-up online (e.g. google drive) or offline (e.g. hard disk) at least each three months.
Required profile and experience
Education
Master’s Degree in relevant field (Social Sciences / Social Work / International Development) or other fields related to social development or humanitarian work
Professional Experience
o 5 years of professional experience in Protection related sectors of which at least 3 years at Senior management level.
o 5 years of Managing and Implementing Protection Projects with at least 2 years in a Technical Support / Advisory role
o Minimum 2 years of Practical experience in delivering Child Protection / GBV focussed interventions at field level to beneficiaries
o Excellent writing, reporting and communication skills.
o Proven experience of managing staff with cultural diversity, with experience of local recruitment
Professional Requirements
o Demonstrable experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships government counterparts
o Familiarity with the protection cluster system, sub-clusters, and different working groups/task forces – general and SAGs.
o Strong representation and negotiation skills
o Proven experience with donor compliance, proposal, budget design and reporting
o Excellent computer skills
o Strong admin/finance skills are an asset
o Demonstrated experience in staff supervision and remote management
o Strong experience with monitoring tools and systems
o Demonstrated training and coaching experience
o Demonstrate experience with integrated programming (health, nutrition, protection (MH/PSS), WASH, livelihoods, etc.)
o Prior experience in leading and carrying out protection & multi-sector rapid assessments and intention surveys in challenging environment
o Prior experience in roles of coordination and representation
o Deep knowledge of PSS/MH, community-based protection, protection mainstreaming, referral pathways and service mapping
Prior experience in working in protracted complex emergency setting,
involving high numbers internal displacement
· Excellent understanding of all Global Standards and Guidelines relating to Protection of children and Adults (IASC, CPMS, ADCAP)
· Excellent Monitoring and Evaluation skills with the ability to develop tools, collect data and Analyse trends
· Very good knowledge of Microsoft Office (including MS Word, Excel, Power-point or other presentation software, Outlook and Skype)
· Readiness to commit and adhere to the values, mission and vision of INTERSOS**
Languages
Excellent written and spoken English**
Personal Requirements
o Responsive, motivated, good communicator flexibility to respond to changing nature of humanitarian context and operational difficulties
o Ability to communicate openly and maintain good relationship within the team, government and other local authorities, donor, and other stake holders
o Willingness to take responsibility
o Ability to cope with stress, and live in environment with very basic living condition
o Strong team spirit and ability to work in an intercultural environment
o Attention to detail and structured way of approaching tasks (well organized), and to plan ahead and result oriented (pro-active)
o Able to ensure quick quality delivery in stressful environment (stress-resilient)
o Ability to adhere to deadlines and respect line management
o Practical and problem-solver
How to apply:
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates are invited to apply following the link below: https://www.intersos.org/posizioni-aperte/missioni/#intersosorg-vacancies/vacancy-details/61556805e3de7c001e255c8d/
Please note that our application process is made of 3 quick steps: register (including your name, email, password, citizenship and Skype address), sign-up and apply attaching your CV and motivation letter in PDF format. Through the platform, candidates will be able to track their applications’ history with INTERSOS.
In case you encounter severe difficulties applying through the platform, you can send an email attaching your CV and motivation letter (both in PDF version) via email to recruitment@intersos.org, with subject line: “**Platform issue** – SR-28-2095– Position**”.**
Please also mention the name, position and contact details of at least three references, including the line manager during your last job. Family members are to be excluded.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview.