Protection Officer

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee 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, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees made to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Earlier this year, IRC launched its newest country program in Moldova to respond to the Ukrainian crisis in collaboration with local civil society organizations. With a population of only 2.64 million, Moldova has seen over 600,000 refugees cross its borders in search of safety. While most refugees transit onward toward Romania and other European countries, the number of nearly 100,000 Ukrainians and expected to increase in the coming months. Given its small size and limited resources, Moldova's capacity is already under strain with pressures on energy supplies and high inflation. The IRC envisages a humanitarian program in Moldova targeting both refugees and Moldovans, with interventions designed to save lives and relieve humanitarian suffering, with a focus on education, gender-based violence prevention and response, and protection services along with support for integration.

Job Overview/Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Program Manager, the Protection Officer will support the implementation of IRC’s Protection Monitoring programming in Moldova. At a local level, the IRC will undertake protection monitoring and safety audits to continuously assess protection risks and capacity gaps in Balti and surrounding rural areas. Information will be used to improve access to quality information, services, and referral pathways, and improve risk mitigation. Together, these goals support improved outcomes for vulnerable members of the targeted communities. The Protection Officer will work closely with the GBV Manager, Education Manager, and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer to improve the quality of data collection by the outreach mobile teams and contribute to the analysis of protection concerns. They will also contribute to accurate and comprehensive monthly reporting of protection monitoring.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following are the major responsibilities of the Protection Officer (not extensive):

Provide support to two mobile teams, including:

• Participate in the recruitment and capacity building of the social workers on protection monitoring and community information sessions along with the various tools that will be used;

• Support the scheduling of, and participation in, monitoring missions and information dissemination sessions, ensuring best practice and protection and humanitarian standards are met;

• Regular review of the quality of data collected by the teams;

Development of individual work plans

• Support mobile teams’ field access by meeting with relevant partners and local authorities as required, in collaboration with the Program Manager, GBV Manager, and Education Manager

• In collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and the Program Manager, and with the support of the GBV & MHPSS and the Protection & Anti-Trafficking TA, design protection monitoring tools and a data collection system.

• In collaboration with the Program Manager, design content for responsive information sessions on a range of topics, including human rights and refugee law, the benefits of and processes for registering with the UNHCR, available services in the area, how to access them, and eligibility criteria, and ensuring that these information sessions respond to the specific needs of various targeted groups;

• In collaboration with the Program Manager, regularly updates the service mapping and ensures that the mobile teams have access to an updated service mapping.

• In collaboration with the Program Manager, and with the support of the GBV & MHPSS and the Protection & Anti-Trafficking TAs, create a referral system and train the mobile teams on how to safely refer clients both internally and externally;

• Regularly review and follows up on the action points from protection monitoring and protection activities, including follow-up on referrals with service providers made by the outreach teams and in collaboration with CSO and government partners;

• Participating to report on protection trends from the field regularly in collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer;

• Support identification of protection capacity-building priorities for the outreach teams and partners;

• Develop and maintain effective working collaborations with other INGO, UNHCR, government authorities, and other key partners to ensure active coordination, partnership, and information dissemination;

• Undertake other tasks as requested by the Program Manager.

Job Requirements:

Education:

At least a graduate degree in social sciences or a related field

Work Experience:

• At least two years of prior professional experience in a humanitarian setting, preferably with an international organization;

• Have a recognized background and knowledge in environmental health and proven work experience in crafting interactive and participatory approaches in the refugee context.

• Previous experience in report writing and data analysis;

• Previous staff management is strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Belief in human rights, including gender equality;

• Experience with working with vulnerable populations;

• Proven protection experience, in particular in terms of data collection and detecting and referring of vulnerable cases as well as information dissemination and individual counseling;

• Experience with an NGO and/or international organization in a supervisory position;

• Excellent drafting and oral communication skills in both Romanian and English;

• Excellent ability to interpret, analyze and synthesize information in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, timeliness, ability to settle priorities, and great attention to detail;

• Proactive, flexible, team-spirited, and willing to learn.

Good computer skills including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Language Skills:

Advanced English language skills, oral and written.Working knowledge of one or more additional languages relevant for Moldova (Russian, Ukrainian) would be an asset

Working Environment:

Standard office work environment, with frequent travel to the field

Deadline to apply; December 10, 2022.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Disclaimer Clause: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skills, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

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