Protection Specialist (GBV)

Contract

This is a DRC - Expatriate or National contract. More about DRC - Expatriate or National contracts.

This is a DRC - Expatriate contract. More about DRC - Expatriate contracts.

Overall purpose of the role: Under the supervision of the Protection Coordinator (PC), the Protection Specialist (PS) contributes to the development and implementation of DRC’s sector strategy in Iraq and is responsible for supporting the delivery of high-quality protection services across DRC Iraq’s areas of operation, in close collaboration with field management and Protection Managers. While contributing to DRC’s broader protection strategy to ensure linkages across protection activities, the specific technical focus of this role will be Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response programming – including GBV case management.

To this aim, the Protection Specialist will support the harmonization and rollout of tools, guidelines and SOPs for GBV case management, strengthen referral pathways, and ensure standard donor and data analysis/reporting methods (in collaboration with M&E) are in place for these activities. The Protection Specialist – GBV will play a key role in capacity building and mentoring case management staff on GBV standards, tools (including GBVIMS), and approaches for communicating with communities on raising on attitudes

Main Responsibilities;

• In collaboration with Protection Coordinator, and in alignment with DRC’s global GBV policy, ensure program tools, technical guidance notes, and risk mitigation measures required for quality implementation are in place.
• Develop analysis of GBV protection needs and provide evidence-based recommendations for GBV response programming, through a phased approach.
• Ensure Do no Harm through effective coaching, mentorship, and trainings required for implementation.
• Ensure a minimum standard of capacity and awareness on GBV referrals across protection teams (including sensitive legal cases) and other sector teams to reinforce the effectiveness of the more specialized staff response.
• Provide regular technical support and guidance to protection managers to strengthen the capacity of protection teams in delivering high quality GBV case management services, ensuring that supervision and coaching structures are in place at field level to ensure adequate oversight by PMs (see capacity building);
• Undertake field visits to monitor the quality of implementation and provide technical advice and customized and needs based capacity building to protection staff, with specific regard to GBV case management;
• Ensure that ethnical, consistent and sound data collection management systems (GBVIMS) are in place for GBV protection activities, ensuing availability of data analysis for informed decision making and project design;
• Support to team members on consistent client and data tracking; and data visualization (Power BI); Support the Protection teams with the establishment and regular update of the MEAL plan, including (a) ensuring appropriate indicator and quality tracking (both quantitative and qualitative) and (b) working closely with MEAL to put in place accountability mechanisms;
• Coach field teams with the adoption of standardized methodologies (including those developed by consultants or internally), including associated monitoring and evaluation mechanisms;
• Stay abreast of developments that have an impact on the protection environment in Iraq and provide ongoing analysis on key issues on a regular basis.

Capacity building

• Lead the development and delivery of participatory training materials, including on GBV case management and PFA, for relevant staff; generally support with ongoing coaching, mentorship, and training required for implementation of GBV programming (see above);
• In coordination with the Protection Project Managers, assess training and development needs within the Protection team, develop a capacity building plan, including the development and/or delivery of training materials to further build the capacity of protection staff to undertake all necessary steps of the GBV case management process;
• Participate in the recruitment process, the capacity building and the evaluation of protection staff, as necessary;
• Establish processes, systems and learning events in Iraq that will lead to a general capacity building and professionalization of DRC staff and partners on protection.

Program design

• In close coordination with the Protection Coordinator, the Protection Specialist contributes to the development and implementation of DRC’s sector strategy in Iraq, as well as the harmonization and rollout of tools, SOPs and guidelines with a particular focus on GBV;
• Recognizing DRC’s existing human rights case management capacities, propose concrete strategies for extending that capacity to GBV case management in pilot areas;
• Provide strategic recommendations on linkages for GBV programming and GBV risk mitigation with other sectors (e.g. women’s access to assets and livelihoods);
• Work closely with Protection Coordinator, Protection Project Managers and Legal Specialists on identification of GBV needs of communities and gaps in Protection services within DRC’s areas of intervention;
• Support development of guidance on communication with communities mobile modalities, integration of protection with other core sectors, and ensure application of a participatory, community-based approach;
• Provide technical input into the development and implementation of relevant SOPs and technical standards;
• Participate in the proposal development process by providing field specific context analysis technical sector specific analysis, beneficiary information, and technical feedback on the concept.

Coordination and Representation

• Active participation in, contribution to and representation of DRC in the Protection Cluster, and GBV AOR or other relevant bodies, including working groups and other meetings related to protection;
• Coordinate internally and externally with relevant actors to ensure teams are applying updated service mapping for effective referrals when requested by a client;
• Ensure that DRC’s work is coordinated with efforts of other agencies, ensuring the specific needs of vulnerable communities are being addressed;
• Feed into national clusters through Technical Coordinators, in particular regarding context, needs and possibilities for coordination;

Experience and technical competencies:

• Proven experience of at least 4 years in international protection and GBV programming, including in Case Management, in conflict affected countries is required;
• Knowledge of and experience with Gender-Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS) including understanding of conducting data collection within case management and community engagement activities, and data analysis.
• Proven experience in capacity building on Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Psychosocial Support (PSS) at level 3 of IASC MHPSS pyramid, in accordance with Interagency GBV Case Management Guidelines.
• Experience providing technical guidance, developing and delivering participatory training/capacity building;
• Significant knowledge of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Laws and International standards relating to the protection of IDPs;
• Experience in report writing, data/information analysis, and M&E;
• Strong information management skills, including but not limited to the creation of databases, use of server-based information collection tools, etc.;
• Proven strong analytical and communication, representation, negotiation, advocacy and diplomacy skills;
• Strategic thinker with the ability to quickly develop good insight and understanding of the conflict, the human rights situation and the political environment of the program country;
• Knowledge of Gender and Protection mainstreaming, AGD, PwSN and AAP approaches;
• Experience working and living in a multi-cultural environment and to travel to conflict affected areas;
• Extensive experience in reporting and project development, excellent writing skills in English. Good command of Arabic an asset.

Education: University or Master’s degree relevant to humanitarian work, preferably in law, social work, gender studies, social sciences or humanitarian aid

Languages:

• Fluency in English (written and spoken),
• Arabic language skills highly desirable;

Key stakeholders:

• Protection PM
• DRC Head of Programmes
• Protection Coordinator
• MEAL and Grant management