Protection Team Leader

Contract

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

The overall purpose of the role:

• Supervise Protection team members, including Protection Officers, Protection Assistants and Protection Outreach Workers
• Deliver support and technical guidance to the Protection team
• Ensure the quality of the planning, implementation and follow up of all technical aspects of the psychosocial support (PSS), Legal Aid and community-based protection (CBP) activities being implemented by DRC
• Develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern, relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of DRC’s protection activities

Geographic scope: Anbar (Iraq)

This role has a focus on Anbar and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within DRC Iraq and the Anbar office. The role contributes to the implementation of protection strategies for Anbar, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks.

Responsibilities:

Management

• Under the supervision of the Project Manager – Protection, lead and manage the protection team (including people planning, working hours, performance, well-being and development) as per the assigned area and activities.
• Ensure effective planning and maintain oversight of the implementation of protection staff and activities (including community-based protection. PSS, case management and legal aid activities) in DRC Community Safe Spaces (CSS) and mobile activities in the target communities. These include community-based PSS, life skills, case management, recreational activities and awareness raising.
• Ensure and monitor quality of protection activities’ implementation in accordance with international protection standards, DRC standard operating procedures and technical guidance.
• Provide overall oversight and management of the Community Safe Spaces (and respective teams working therein) in allocated geographic area.

Programming & Operations

• Ensure the successful delivery of high-quality protection activities to people of concern of different ages (youth, adults and older persons), gender (men and women) and abilities (including people with disabilities). These include, but are not limited to, case management, community level Psychosocial Support (PSS), recreational activities, awareness raising and community-based protection.
• Supervise Protection Officer, Protection Assistants and outreach workers, ensuring that all activities are implemented in accordance with SOPs and are meeting international and DRC protection standards, including protection mainstreaming principles and AGD policy.
• Monitor the identification of vulnerable beneficiaries by Protection Assistants and outreach workers and the effective internal and external referral that is being ensured by the Protection Officer (CBP/CM). These also include timely and adequate referrals of children in need of Child Protection and survivors of Gender-based violence.
• Ensure DRC Case Management and Legal Aid staff members proactively facilitate adequate and timely identification of vulnerable people in need of protection support; and regularly update their respective databases to ensure timely and accurate case data, in accordance with data protection principles.
• Provide approvals for delivery of IPA and legal fees in accordance with DRC SOPs and financial procedures.
• Coach Protection Officers (CBP/PSS/CM/legal) by providing technical guidance based on DRC guidance notes and best practices.
• Provide feedback to Project Manager - Protection on technical gaps, protection tools and the capacity building needs of the Protection Team. Provide support to the Project manager on capacity-building activities where necessary.
• Plan and organize protection monitoring activities (including focus group discussions, household surveys and key informant interviews) and community consultations when required.
• Responsible for recruitment of CBP/legal/PSS/case management staff and monitor timely induction and capacity building of newly recruited Protection Team members to ensure quality and accountability.
• Review and approve weekly and monthly work plan for CSS staff and mobile teams to ensure timely implementation protection activities and follow-up on achievement or protection project targets. Ensure that protection and CSS activities are adequately and regularly shared with the target community, and that staff are regularly conducting outreach in their communities to link individuals to CSS-based activities.

Coordination and representation

• Develop and maintain effective working relationship with relevant stakeholders including partner agencies, community leaders and service providers.
• Represent DRC at meetings and other relevant technical coordination meetings and advocate for the needs of people of concern.
• Collaborate with relevant internal and external technical experts in the development of protection reports, guidance notes and capacity building materials.
• Ensure integration with other DRC sectors, including economic recovery, shelter and infrastructure and Humanitarian Mine Actions.

Project development

• Support the Project Manager - Protection drafting protection project proposals by providing field-related inputs.
• Participate in preparing monthly/quarterly/annual highlights/reports and proposals and budgets for donors.
• Oversee and ensure achievements of targets according to DRC and donors’ requirements.
• Maintain ongoing communication with MEAL department and support monitoring and evaluations of protection projects and protection activities.

Logistics/Finance

• Support Project Manager – Protection with project planning including work plans, procurement and budget management for the activities under his/her supervisions.
• Initiate procurements and ensure their execution.
• Support the monitoring of financial commitments and expenditures against budgets and provide timely feedback on budget follow-up.
• Plan and coordinate proactively logistics and movements of staff from and to different operational areas

Other

• Ensure compliance with DRC guidelines and policies on HR, admin, finance, and supply.
• Ensure adherence to DRC national staff policy guidelines and Code of Conduct.
• Ensure compliance with DRC AGD policy and AGD programmatic minimum standards
• Ensuring compliance with the zero-tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy
• Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by the Protection Project Manager

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 3 years of management experience at a mid to senior level, preferably with experience in the field of humanitarian response and refugee protection working for an international NGO, UN agency, relevant ministry, or local authority.
• Minimum 4 years of practical experience in protection especially in legal aid, community based protection and case management, working for an INGO.
• In depth understanding of protection principles and minimum standards
• Proven management skills and a competence in people management
• Commitment to learning and implementing organizational policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and prioritize the safety and dignity of beneficiaries at all times.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Education:

• Relevant university degree (e.g. law, psychology, social work, pedagogy or education, international development) or equivalent professional qualification

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Fluency in Arabic
• Full professional proficiency in English

Key stakeholders:

partner agencies, community leaders and service providers

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment

We offer

• Contract Length: 9 months
• Salary Band: G (Management)
• Start Date: As soon as possible

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff.

Diversity & Inclusion: DRC Iraq is committed to promoting an inclusive work environment according to our Age, Gender, and Diversity approach (AGD). We aim to have a more diversified leadership structure creating opportunities for qualified women to take on managerial roles. We also continuously work to make our workplace more accessible for persons with specific needs. We offer benefits related to psychosocial support, health insurance, maternity and paternity leave, child sick leave, and lactation breaks. As part of our commitment to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, we strongly encourage applications from female candidates, persons living with disabilities, as well as representatives of minorities.