Iraq: PROTECTION OFFICER - IRAQ

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.

1.Terms of reference

Job title: Protection Officer

Duty Station: Kandahar with regular visits to Kabul

Starting date: ASAP

Duration of contract: 12 months

Reporting to: Project Manager and Head of Mission

Supervision of: 10 social workers, 5 psychologists, 5 lawyers, 60 community outreach workers and 1 M&E-reporting officer

2.General context of the project

The program’s general objective is to contribute to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with malnutrition, diseases and hazards resulting from deficient (or non-existing) health and nutrition services, environmental health conditions and protection environment in conflict-affected communities in Kandahar province – Afghanistan. The program will target 72.241 individuals > 12% men, 48% women, 20% boy and 20% girls > 23% IDP, 4% documented returnees (DR), 12% undocumented returnees (UR) and 61% is most vulnerable local (host) community (HC).

The proposed program aims, on the health and nutrition side, to address the inadequate coverage and quality of life-saving services (especially for reproductive health and nutrition services) for the most vulnerable communities in Maywand, Spin Boldak and Zheray. The project will also address some of the key determinants of malnutrition and child and maternal mortality through promotion of improved Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, safe delivery and healthy behaviours. Hygiene/WASH promotion is closely linked to health and nutrition, and can further help to decrease mortality rates. Lastly, the project will seek to enhance the psycho-social wellbeing and protective environment of the most vulnerable population groups. WASH and protection components will also be implemented in the informal settlements of Kandahar where IDP and (mostly) undocumented vulnerable returnees are concentrated. Activities include:

• Structural rehabilitation/upgrade of HFs; hire and train (female) dedicated health staff for RH (and/or nutrition services) at HF level (static), run mobile teams to support the outreach capacity of the HFs for provision of RH and nutrition services; identify and train new additional community health workers and supervisors; conduct community awareness sessions on health and nutrition related topics; and secure the OPD nutrition services at HF level by dedicated trained nutrition staff;

• Conduct training in CP, GBV and PSS for different stakeholders, actors and volunteers; conduct awareness sessions for community members on protection related issues; provide individual case management services for individual protection cases (CP, GBV and PwSN ) and run collective PSS for most vulnerable population groups at community level (CP, GBV and PwSN);

• Run WASH – HP sessions for different target groups.

3.Tasks and responsibilities

Programme

• Work with the PM as complementary team for the implementation of the project activities, under his responsibility

• In close coordination with PM and protection cluster, develop and establish internal and external functional and effective referral and coordination mechanisms at field level for comprehensive assistance to persons at risk or exposed to protection violations (GBV, CP and PwSN), mapping the different referral services available (medical care, mental health and psychosocial support, safe shelter, legal counselling and assistance, education and livelihoods opportunities, cash assistance, etc.), establishing collaborative relations with other relevant actors working in the target areas (international and national, humanitarian and institutional), supporting the development of SOPs and related information material;

• Ensure follow up on case management services including referral of clients to social workers, monitor the social workers’ case load, revise assessments, assist the social workers in developing case plans, monitor the follow up on services provisions and conduct regular case management audits

• Organise training/coaching for case management staff, ensuring standardization and quality of services

• Organize weekly case management meeting with the different teams of case workers

• Ensure the proper storage of sensitive data through internal databases and case monitoring tools

• In close coordination with the PM, build capacity of local actors and key community members (such as the community focal points and outreach volunteers) on identification and referral of individual cases (CP, GBV and PwSN)

• If security situation allows, undertake regular field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision as well as regularly monitor the progress of the case management activities

• Elaborate trend analyses on 6 monthly bases for CP, GBV and PwSN

• 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

• Maintain regular and positive collaboration with the colleagues to harmonize approaches and methodologies of response, share challenges and best practices and ensure that protection is mainstreamed into the other sectors of intervention

• Support the development, implementation and evaluation of the mission strategy and programme, providing technical inputs and recommendations for new and ongoing interventions in the country

Human resources

• In coordination and consultation with PM, complete the recruitment and selection of the protection project national staff

• In coordination with the PM, train all protection project national staff on CPiE, GBV, PwSN and psychosocial support key concepts and related issues, the guiding principles underlying the response approach including informed consent and confidentiality and the framework for action including how to identify, emotionally support and refer Child Protection, GBV and PwSN cases

• Ensure protection mainstreaming training for all other sectors’ project staff

Working relationships/communication

• In coordination with PM, establish and maintain regular and collaborative relations with relevant donors, local authorities, partners, project stakeholders and other organizations working in the target areas

• Attend relevant cluster meetings and proactively participate in protection and relevant inter-sectoral coordination meeting at field level, contributing to the development of guidelines, standards, tools and strategies

• Ensure to copy PM in all communications with staff (except on the case management and follow-up with individual case workers) and external stakeholders

• Ensure systematic information and update sharing with the HOM and other programme staff.

• Coordinate with other INTERSOS projects/sectors in Kandahar for effective and efficient referral of cases between INTERSOS projects/sector

4.Required profile/experience

· Advanced degree in social science or any related field

· At least 3 years of relevant working experience in humanitarian project management with INGOs, specifically on protection projects

· Proven experience in coordination and case management supervision (CP, SGBV and/or PwSN)

· Demonstrated experience in research and research paper/report development

· Strong experience in trainings, capacity building and development of local staff and partners in protection related subjects

· Strong experience in working with communities in complex emergencies involving displacement

· Strong experience with monitoring tools and systems

· Demonstrated experience in staff supervision and remote management models

· Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with donors and government counterparts, experience with donor compliance and reporting

· Deep technical understanding of protection programming, in particular individual case management and collective PSS

· Admin, finance and budget management skills

· Excellent computer skills (proven computer literacy, in particular Excel knowledge is a must)

· Excellent written and spoken English. Pashto would be asset

· Readiness to move around in Afghanistan

· Strong representation, negotiation, communication and diplomatic skills, demonstrated leadership

· Strong team spirit, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment

· Excellent analytical skills, observation and analysis capacity, problem-solver approach

· Ability to deal with heavy work pressure

Qualified applicants are requested to submit their CV, motivation letter and 2 references to recruitment@intersos.org with subject line: "Protection Officer – Iraq”

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the first interview