Iraq: PROTECTION COORDINATOR - Iraq

INTERSOS is an independent non-profit humanitarian organization committed to assist the victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable and unprotected people.

1. Terms of Reference

Job Title: Protection Coordinator
Code: SR-29-375
Country: Iraq
Duty Station: Erbil, with frequent visits to projects sites in KRI and Iraq
Starting date: asap
Contract duration: 8 months
Reporting to: Head of Mission
Supervision of: 5 International Project Managers
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 neighbouring 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 planning to further contribute towards assisting vulnerable conflict-affected civil population in the whole of Iraq 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. Moreover, INTERSOS is directly engaged in the ongoing Mosul Humanitarian operation, specifically in Ninewa and Salah al-Din Governorates, concentrating its interventions in protection, health and EiE activities.

3. 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.

4. Main responsibilities and tasks

The Protection Coordinator is expected to carry out the following specific responsibilities:

• Support the Protection Project Managers in the technical aspects of the implementation of project’s activities
• Provide clear technical support, guidance and supervision to the protection staff, including training needed to build specialized skills in all protection-related principles and activities, including Protection Monitoring, Case Management and vulnerability criteria, Legal Assistance, Psycho-Social Support (PSS), inclusion of disabilities in emergency, and Risk Mitigation
• Provide technical support and guidance in the implementation of Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) activities, including specific training on principles and concepts related to Child Protection and GBV
• Mainstream protection concepts and principles in all programs
• According to identified needs and resources available, deliver training, workshops and seminars to national and international staff on protection-related issues, GBV and Child Protection
• Contribute to project planning and reporting documents
• Promote harmonization of programme approaches and methodologies across the different implementation sites, depending on contexts and needs, by developing and monitoring use of common tools
• Creating opportunities for experience sharing and learning within the Protection Staff of all projects, in order to ensure synergy among Staff and cooperative/supportive attitude and mechanisms
• Ensure that protection staff and services adhere to case management best practices, as well as international protection standards and principles
• Contribute to monitoring programme implementation and quality
• Undertake regular field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision, as well as continuously monitor the progress of the case management and referral activities
• Contribute to the production of high quality donor reports and other materials as required
• Support the development of new project/programme proposals through technical inputs to and feedback about the project/programme methodology

Specifically:

Program Coordination and Support

• Revise and develop the protection tools in use in the mission
• Develop and consolidate internal and external functional and effective referral and coordination mechanisms
• Developing SOPs and guidelines for the implementation of Protection Programming for INTERSOS Mission of Iraq
• Ensure that the work of protection staff is harmonized according to internal SOPs and interagency guidelines
• Revise tools and topics for FGDs (Focus Group Discussions) and material for awareness, information and/or sensitization sessions in coordination with Protection Officers and Project Manager
• Organize meeting with the protection Staff (PMs and Protection Officers) on a regular basis, in order to discuss priorities for the next period, challenges, protection trends, sharing information, experiences and suggestions between programs
• Participate in monitoring missions in the field
• Provide technical support to the Protection Officers in elaborating monthly reports when needed
• Contribute to the INTERSOS Protection Strategy for 2018

Management and supervision

• Review work plans of POs and define priorities together with Project Manager
• Review PAT of Protection Project Managers, focusing on target planned VS actual achievements. Identify challenges and sit with the PMs in order to find solution
• Upon completion by the Project Managers, review and provide feedback on IRP for Protection and Senior Protection Officers

Capacity Building

• In coordination with the Project Managers and Protection Officers, identify individual training needs and ensure access to professional development opportunities and resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs
• Train all relevant protection staff (Case Managers, Case Workers, Community Mobilizers, Protection Monitors, Community Service Associates and Protection Officers) in protection tpics including: protection and humanitarian principles, GBV and CP basic principles, case management for PWSNs and PSS
• Develop training material for different trainings to share within the protection staff and other partners
• Develop capacity-building programmes for local actors (including partner NGOs and relevant local service providers) on GBV and CP basic principles, case management and data protection

Case Management Monitoring

• Develop internal SOPs on case management and ensure they are applied in the field, updating/ revising them based on the needs
• Ensure case management minimum standards are respected in all steps of case management
• Advise the Protection Officers, Case Managers and Case Workers as needed (complex cases)
• Ensure appropriate Information Management Systems are in place
• Realize case audits (in collaboration with the Protection Officers) to evaluate the quality of services provision
• Coordinate with other relevant actors within the case management support to ensure comprehensive assistance
• Encourage local coping mechanisms and community self-reliant processes
• Develop periodic General Protection, GBV and CP trend analysis

Psychosocial Support Activities

• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of psychosocial support activities
• Support the development and ensure the roll out of internal PSS toolkits
• Attend PSS TF meetings to ensure common approaches

Protection Mainstreaming

• Ensure GBV and CP mainstreaming in each new project or programme proposal
• Ensure collection of disaggregated data for reporting and analysis purposes**External Coordination and representation**
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders including donors, partners, government actors and other relevant actors, international or national, humanitarian or institutional
• Represent INTERSOS in main Protection, GBV and CPiE coordination fora (including related strategic advisory groups and task forces) at national and governorate level together with the Protection Project Managers ensuring INTERSOS is represented in all coordination meetings
• Ensure key protection field concerns are brought to relevant stakeholders
• Brief relevant staff on the discussions held during the Working Group and Cluster meetings

5. Required profile and experience

Education

• Advanced university degree in social science related fields 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

Professional experience

• At least 3 years of professional work experience in management/coordination of protection-related activities in humanitarian contexts
• Proven experience in coordination, case management supervision (CP, SGBV and/or PwSN).
• Strong experience in trainings and capacity building and development of local staff and partners in protection related subjects
• Prior experience in working in complex emergency setting, involving internal displacement.
• Previous experience in working in IDP camp and non-camp settings
• Previous experience in developing and implementing M&E activities
• Previous experience in working in Middle East and specifically in Iraq (desirable)
• Experience with participatory approaches and working with vulnerable groups, including gender mainstreaming and with persons with disabilities

Professional requirements

• Good/In-depth knowledge and understanding of Humanitarian Principles and Protection frameworks, tools, and minimum standards
• Knowledge of the cluster system
• Experience with main donors compliance and reporting
• Strong representation and negotiation skills
• Proven experience in management and supervision of large staff teams
• Good communication skills, both oral and written, and Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills
• Mastery of IT tools (MS Office package, internet, e-mail, etc.)
• Demonstrated technical expertise of Protection, including Child Protection, Gender-Based Violence and Legal Protection, as well as Mental Health and Psychosocial Support

Languages

• Proficient knowledge of English is required
• Knowledge of Arabic will be an asset

Personal Requirements

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with analytic approach
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders
• Excellent analytical skills, observation and analysis capacity
• Ability to take initiative and work autonomously
• Ability to plan ahead and output oriented (pro-active)
• Able to ensure quick quality delivery in stressful environment (stress-resilient)
• Ability to integrate and work well within multiethnic and multicultural teams
• Holder of a driving license (desirable)
• Readiness to commit and adhere to the values, mission and vision of INTERSOS

For further information and to apply, follow the link below:

https://intersos.knack.com/imp#intersosorg-vacancies/

In case you encounter difficulties applying through INTERSOS' platform, you can also apply by sending your CV, motivation letter and 2 references via email to recruitment@intersos.org , with subject line: "SR-29-375 Protection Coordinator - Iraq".

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