Protection and Advocacy Manager

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises in over 40 countries, and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives, restoring their safety, dignity and hope. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The IRC has long-term Iraq-based and cross-border programs supporting IDPs and refugees. Working in coordination with the humanitarian community, the IRC currently addresses the needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in South-Central Iraq and war-affected Syrians from several operational bases in the region. In response to the IDP situation, the IRC in partnership with the UNHCR – has been running the Protection Assistance and Reintegration Centers (PARCs) since 2009 in Central Iraq. The IRC currently oversees 11 PARCs in total 10 governorates. The PARCs provide a variety of community and protection services including protection monitoring, information, counseling, legal assistance, capacity building and advocacy with regard to the persons of concern’s access to services and rights. The PARC program has also supported local partners to provide psychosocial support and legal assistance for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).

SCOPE OF WORK:
The Protection and Advocacy Manager is responsible for overseeing the protection-related reporting, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and advocacy components/activities of the IRC’s Governance and Rights program, with a focus on Protection and Rule of Law. The person will be responsible for providing support to the IRC’s UNHCR funded projects, including the ones that focus on IDPs, refugees and stateless persons, and ensuring quality advocacy interventions to their benefit. S/he will be involved in efforts to streamline reporting and analytical processes, through integrating mobile platforms in the reporting process and to improve humanitarian assessments.

Under the direct management of the Protection Coordinator, and working closely with the Senior (PARC) Program Manager and the Capacity Building Manager, the Protection and Advocacy Manager will be responsible for quality reporting, case management and trend analysis to inform the development of advocacy materials and platforms for protection programming. This will include the quality control and streamlined data reporting; Drafting of reports, fact sheets, and advocacy materials; On-going monitoring of designated caseloads; Trend analysis; highlighting of unmet needs; provision of suggestions to improve programming and policies; and providing accurate, timely and reliable information for evidence-based advocacy on protection issues.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Takes the lead on producing succinct and analytical periodic (monthly, mid-year, end-year) and ad hoc protection reports per governorate, highlighting key protection issues and analyzing trends identified from protection monitoring, protection network monthly activities, and other recorded objective sources to provide direct strategic advice to the Senior Protection Coordinator and IRC Iraq country team. Also responsible for mid-year and final reporting.
• Produces thematic, issue-specific reports as requested by the Protection Coordinator, both for internal IRC’s use and for distribution to UNHCR and other stakeholders.
• Regularly reviews data collected by the teams, reviews and guides the database/reporting team on data collection methodologies, as well as develops strategies for improving data collection and maintenance.
• Provides a human rights perspective on all protection monitoring reporting, assisting to ensure reporting is grounded in, among the rest, human rights law, refugee law, Sphere standards and the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
• Acts as a focal point for protection network detention, deportation, and evictions caseloads, as well as cash assistance referrals, by overseeing quality protection monitoring, case referrals, and overall analysis of trends.
• Provides ongoing direct supervision, including assisting in the development of individual work plans for data and reporting staff and ensuring that best practices are upheld.
• Supports the Capacity Building Manager in assessing the training and capacity building needs of the IRC and its local partners’ protection staff, and designs and implements professional development plans, workshops and trainings for staff.
• Leads the development of evidence-based advocacy positions to share with the Protection Cluster and protection sub-working groups and advise the IRC’s senior management and relevant others on protection trends to inform countrywide and international advocacy.
• Guides and manages staff in the development and implementation of protection-related M&E plans.
• Supports the Protection Coordinator in the development of new concepts for future programming, as well as in co-chairing/co-leading the Protection Cluster/Working Group and/or similar forums.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with UNHCR, non-governmental organizations, government authorities, and other key stakeholders to en sure active coordination, collaboration, and information dissemination.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Protection Coordinator
• Position directly supervises: Senior Reporting Officers
• Technical Support: Technical Advisor

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

• Internal: All staff and departments in the Baghdad offices
• External: Donor interface, Protection Cluster/working group and other relevant stakeholders

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, and Accountability. 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.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Advanced University Degree in Law, International Human Rights Law, International Relations, Social Sciences or related field
• Minimum 3-year experience with an (I) NGO in management of program activities
• Minimum 2-year experience working in emergency/conflict settings
• Excellent knowledge of and demonstrated experience in protection and international human rights law
• Experience in data collection and reporting, as well as designing and implementing M&E plans
• Ability to interpret, analyze, and synthesize information in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent organizational and presentation skills
• Great attention to detail
• Experience writing grants/protection reports for donors, governments, and the general public
• Proactive, flexible, team spirited and willing to learn
• Ability to live and productively work under stress and in insecure and harsh environments
• Experience in Iraq or in the region is strongly preferred
• Excellent computer skills including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience with UNHCR or similar protection databases (data entry, reporting etc) is highly desired
• Excellent English language skills (oral and written) required. Working/native-level proficiency of Arabic language skills highly desirable

SPECIFIC SECURITY SITUATION/HOUSING: The Protection and Advocacy Manager will be based in Baghdad or Erbil (until security allows for the person to be based in Baghdad) with occasional travel to other Iraqi governorates, security permitting. The security situation in Iraq continues to be volatile. Security measures are in place (guarded compounds, communication systems, movement restrictions – where necessary). The candidate should be prepared to implement programming in remote and insecure environments. This is a non-accompanied position. Shared housing of moderate standard is provided, with competitive remuneration package.