Protection Officer

Work Arrangement:

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 forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 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.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict-affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno State, Damaturu of Yobe State, and Katsina and Zamfara States of Northwest Nigeria. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs for primary Health care, Nutrition, Environmental health, Women’s Protection and Empowerment, Protection, and Rule of Law, Child Protection, Education, and Economic Recovery and development.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The IRC is implementing a protection program featuring the strengthening of community-based protection structures, capacity building, protection monitoring, information dissemination, and referral services. The IRC will also build the capacity of government authorities, local organizations, and local communities around protection mainstreaming and protection monitoring. The IRC will also include legal assistance and counseling services. The protection program is currently implemented in the NE States of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe and the Northwest States of Zamfara and Katsina.

Job Overview/Summary

Under the supervision of the Protection Manager, the Protection Officer is responsible for the overall oversight and management (planning, implementation, and monitoring) of the Sector’s projects. S/he will support the Protection Manager in managing and supervising staff. S/he is responsible for ensuring that projects run smoothly by providing technical leadership, supervising, training, and mentoring staff, and coordinating the implementation of project activities. The Protection Officer will contribute to the IRC Protection program development and proposal development. S/he will play an active role in establishing and managing relationships with local partners, humanitarian actors, state authorities, beneficiaries, and local/traditional leaders and contribute to the achievement of IRC Protection program and IRC SAP goals.

Major Responsibilities

Project planning and implementation

- Responsible for the planning and timely implementation of project activities in MMC, Jere, Magumeri, Konduga LGAs of Borno State, ensuring adherence to IRC policies and procedures. - Continuously monitor project quality; for example, strengthening data collection, reporting, accountability initiatives, and documenting the impact of IRC presence in the field. - Ensure synergy between the Protection sector and other IRC sectorial activities in Borno State in close coordination and consultation with other Protection staff. - Work with the Protection Manager and Coordinator to contribute to new project development, including both narratives and budgets. - Contribute and support effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes and initiatives, and ensure effective data and information management for the project. - Develop monthly work plans focused on key outputs and outcomes in consultation with other Protection staff. - Ensure staff contributions to project monitoring and evaluation requirements to ensure project quality, relevance, and accountability to IRC's target populations. - Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity, capacity building, and mainstream protection into all activities as appropriate.

Reporting and documentation

- Ensure IRC has up-to-date information on the affected and targeted community and coordinate beneficiary lists and numbers with Reporting/Database Assistant and different stakeholders. - Ensure the timely and quality delivery of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual project reports. - Ensure high-quality IRC and donor reports on activities, indicators, and achievements. - Ensure that all reporting is disaggregated by age and gender. - Keep proper records of all project activities.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

- Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews. - Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions. - Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly. - Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths. - As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies. - Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions. - Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff. - Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. - Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Team Management

- Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence. - Support the Protection Manager in the supervision, hiring, and orientation of new Protection staff as necessary. - Contribute to IRC Protection sector team-building efforts, help solve arising problems and support the Protection Manager in the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Key Working Relationships

- Position Reports to: The Protection Manager - Indirect/Technical Reporting: The Protection Coordinator - Position directly Supervises: Community Engagement and Protection Assistants, Incentive workers.

Qualifications

Education:

- University degree in law, Political science, psychology, social sciences, or social work (bachelor’s as a minimum).

Work Experience:

- Relevant experience (at least 4 years) in protection programming including focus on protection monitoring and responding to identified protection needs. - Demonstrated experience using international human rights standards in protection programming. - Knowledge of Project Cycle Management - Experience working in IDP sites (camps and host communities). - Experience with coordination of humanitarian protection activities essential. Skills in advocacy are essential. - Proficiency in designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems to measure the impact of protection programs and make data-driven decisions for improvement. - Ability to manage teams especially field teams in a challenging environment. - Ability and willingness to live and work in a challenging environment - Good communication skills (written and verbal), cultural sensitivity, flexibility, ability to improvise, and team player. - Ability to live and productively work under stress and in insecure and harsh environments while maintaining a sense of humor.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

Protection Expertise: In-depth knowledge of international human rights and humanitarian law, protection principles, and standards. Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing protection programs, including legal assistance, psychosocial support, child protection, gender-based violence response, and advocacy.

Conflict Analysis and Contextual Understanding: The ability to conduct comprehensive conflict analyses, identify protection risks, and understand the political, social, and cultural dynamics of the operational context.

Capacity Building and Training: The ability to design and deliver training programs for IRC staff and partners, building their capacity to implement protection and rule of law activities effectively.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Proficiency in designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems to measure the impact of protection programs and make data-driven decisions for improvement.

Networking and Partnership Development: Proven experience in building and maintaining relationships with relevant local partners, civil society organizations, and community representatives to enhance program effectiveness and ensure a coordinated response.

Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to address complex protection challenges and make informed decisions.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to convey complex protection concepts clearly and engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Cultural Sensitivity: The ability to work in diverse cultural settings and demonstrate respect for different perspectives and customs.

Resilience and Adaptability: The role may involve working in challenging and sometimes dangerous environments. Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing circumstances and handle stress and pressure effectively.

Emergency response and cash interventions: Ability to collaborate with the emergency response team and other relevant stakeholders to design context-appropriate cash-based interventions (Targeted Individual Assistance) that address the immediate needs of affected populations. Ensure alignment with best practices and organizational standards.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Experience Leading and overseeing data collection activities, including surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and other relevant methods. Ensuring data is accurately and timely collected, managed, and stored securely.

Data Analysis and Reporting: Ability to Conduct in-depth data analysis, to draw insights and conclusions about project performance, outcomes, and impact. Prepare regular and ad-hoc reports with clear recommendations for program improvements.

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

Management and Coordination: Demonstrated experience in project and team management. The ability to lead and coordinate protection teams effectively, ensuring project deliverables are met, and fostering a positive work environment.

Advocacy and External Representation: Competence in representing the IRC externally with government authorities, UN agencies, donors, and other stakeholders. Strong advocacy skills to promote protection concerns and ensure the rights of vulnerable populations are upheld.

Languages:

- Fluency in English and other languages desirable. - Knowledge of the local language will be an added value.

Computer / Other Tech Requirements:

- Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Location:

- The position is based in Maiduguri.

Travel:

- Ability to Travel: 20% of the time if applicable.