Iraq: PROTECTION PROJECT MANAGER - 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 Project Manager

Duty Station: Erbil with regular visits to the project locations in Mosul city, both east and west depending on the security situation, as well as ad hoc missions to Bagdad and other Iraqi Governorates, when necessary.

Starting date: September 2017

Duration of contract: 12 months

Reporting to: Emergency Coordinator (for the PM related responsibilities and tasks) and Protection Coordinator (for protection and security aspects)

Supervision of: 35 National Staffs (1 Field Activity coordinator, 1 Protection Officer, 2 Multi-purpose centre coordinators, 6 Lawyers, 8 Protection Monitors, 1 Information Management Officer, 8 Psycho-social workers, 2 Case Managers, 1 M&E officer, 2 Case Managers, 2 Emergency Assistance officer, 4 health care workers)

Dependents: no

2.General context of the project

INTERSOS had been working in Iraq from 2003 till 2010 with programs aimed at responding to urgent material safety needs and enhancing access to basic social services for vulnerable individuals and communities in Central and Southern Iraq, Baghdad and Kurdistan. Over the years, INTERSOS operations developed encompassing activities in health care, legal protection and assistance, warehousing and distribution of essential goods, mine/UXO clearance, shelter, water and sanitation, psychosocial support and education targeting internally displaced people and voluntary returnees, as well as host communities, with special focus on most vulnerable groups (children, women, elderly and persons with special needs).

Following the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation which is negatively affecting also the neighboring countries, in November 2013 INTERSOS has resumed the operations in the area to contribute towards ensuring emergency relief and social protection assistance for the Syrian refugees fleeing their home in search of safety. Furthermore, since the surge in violence between armed groups and government forces with fighting spreading into Central and Northern Iraq, in July 2014 INTERSOS has extended its operations in the Kurdistan Region and is currently providing services and activities aimed at assisting both Syrian refugees and Iraqi IDPs in camp and non-camp settings, with interventions mainly concentrated on the Community Services, Protection, Food Security and Education Sectors. INTERSOS is now fully involved in contributing towards assisting vulnerable conflict-affected civil population in the whole of Iraq, and particularly in response to the Mosul Crisis, by expanding the on-going activities in terms of geographical target areas and sectors of expertise to properly respond to unmet needs and detected gaps.

The overall objective of the intervention is to improve the protective environment of conflict-affected population in Mosul city through the establishment of 2 Multi-purpose centers, in Mosul city, both east and west, in order to guaranteeing access to a variety of services to the most vulnerable IDP and returnee girls, boys, women and men, with the specific aim of enhancing the protection environment and diminishing the risk factors, adopting a broad, comprehensive and cross-cutting approach. Services include: i) provision of comprehensive case management with internal and external referrals; ii) psychosocial support; iii) legal assistance (including legal documentation and monitoring of detention cases); iv) ad hoc emergency assistance for extremely vulnerable individuals; v) basic primary health care consultations.

3.General purpose of the position

The general purpose of the post is to be in charge of the management, implementation, follow up and supervision of the USAID/OFDA project in Iraq, including procurement, recruitment of staff, monitoring and financial supervision of expenditures against target activities. The PM manages, coordinates and supervises the technical personnel involved in delivering the protection services within the 2 established Multi-purpose centers in Mosul city and will supervise all the activities in the field locations. S/he is responsible of regular donor reporting and attends technical coordination meetings.

4.Tasks and responsibilities

• Planning, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the project, ensuring timely and quality delivery of the Protection services, namely legal counselling and assistance, Psychological First Aid (PFA), Psychosocial Support Services, case management, awareness and sensitization sessions, as per approved project's proposal
• Building capacity, coordinate and supervise staffs, supports ad hoc training sessions and on-the-job training
• In collaboration with the Protection Coordinator conduct the trainings in Psycho-social support and case management foreseen by the project
• Monitoring financial supervision of expenditures
• Developing regular reports, including donor reporting and INTERSOS Project Appraisal Tool, ensuring accurate data collection and timely submission
• Liaising with local government and health authorities, non-state actors, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors at field site level
• Follow up the situation and conditions of people of concern within IDPs and hosting communities
• Monitoring the protection situation of IDPs and report to the Protection Coordinator
• Monitoring the security situation in the areas of intervention and share information with the Emergency Coordinator
• Proactively participate in relevant technical coordination meetings and working groups

5.Required profile/experience

• Advanced degree in social science or any related field such as Political Science, International Relations, International Development Cooperation, Sociology, Psychology, Law, Human Rights or similar subjects. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
• At least 3 years of relevant working experience in management/coordination of protection-related activities in humanitarian and/or development contexts
• Experience working with vulnerable groups and working in IDP camp and non-camp settings
• Technical expertise in Protection, including Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence and Legal Protection, as well as Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
• Good/In-depth knowledge and understanding of Humanitarian Principles and Protection frameworks, tools, and minimum standards
• Knowledge of cluster system
• Proven experience in management of UN funds
• Proven experience in management of large staff teams
• Previous experience in training and capacity building on protection
• Previous experience in working in Middle East and specifically in Iraq (desirable)
• Previous experience in developing and implementing M&E activities (desirable)
• Previous experience in volatile environments / conflict settings (desirable)
• Mastery of IT tools (MS Office package, internet, e-mail, etc.) and excellent computer skills
• Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of Arabic will be an asset.
• 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 work in austere and hostile environments
• Ability to share accommodation when required
• Holder of a driving license (desirable)

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

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