Senior Protection and Advocacy Manager

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) 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, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

SCOPE OF WORK:
The Senior Protection and Advocacy Manager is responsible for overseeing the advocacy, reporting, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) components of the IRC’s Governance and Rights program, with a focus on Protection and Rule of Law. In Iraq, the IRC — in partnership with the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) — has been running Protection Assistance and Reintegration Centers (PARCs) since 2009 in the central governorates. The IRC currently oversees 10 PARCs. The PARCs provide a variety of community and protection services, including protection monitoring, referrals, and the provision of legal assistance to persons of concern. Through expanded programming, the Senior Protection and Advocacy Manager will be responsible for providing support to four UNHCR sub-agreements, including ones that focus on refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), stateless persons, and al-Anbar IDPs. S/he will also be involved in efforts to streamline reporting and analytical processes, for instance to integrate mobile platforms in the reporting process and to improve humanitarian assessments.

Under the direct management of the Senior Protection Coordinator, and working closely with the Senior Programme Manager, Senior WPE Manager, and the Senior Capacity Building Manager, the Senior 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 Network programming. This will include the quality control of data; drafting of reports, fact sheets, and advocacy materials; on-going monitoring of designated caseloads; trend analysis; highlighting of unmet needs; and provision of suggestions to improve programming and policies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Takes the lead on producing succinct and analytical monthly 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 Senior Protection Coordinator both for internal IRC use and for distribution to UNHCR and other stakeholders.
• Regularly reviews data collected by the teams, reviews data collection methodologies, and develops strategies for improving data collection.
• Provides a human rights ‘lens’ on all protection monitoring reporting, assisting to ensure reporting is grounded in 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 (e.g., UNHCR’s Extremely Vulnerable Individuals (EVI) program), 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 reporting and M&E staff and ensuring that best practices are upheld.
• Assesses the training and capacity building needs of protection staff in Baghdad and the governorates of operation, and designs and implements professional development plans, workshops, and trainings for staff.
• Leads development of evidence-based advocacy positions to share with the Protection Cluster and protection sub-working groups and advise senior management on protection trends to inform countrywide and international advocacy.
• Supports the Senior Protection Coordinator in the development of new concepts for future programming.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with UNHCR, non-governmental organizations, government authorities, and other key stakeholders to ensure active coordination, collaboration, and information dissemination.

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 Social Sciences, International Relations, Human Rights, Law or related field
• 3 years’ experience with an NGO and/or international organization managing program activities
• 2 years’ experience working in emergency/conflict settings
• Ability to interpret, analyze, and synthesize information in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent organizational skills; ability to determine priorities and oversee the work plans and workloads of several staff
• Great attention to detail
• Familiarity with program design, including logistical frameworks, budgeting, and grants/report writing
• Experience writing protection reports for donors, governments, and the general public
• Excellent drafting and oral communication skills in English — oral and written Arabic skills desirable
• Proactive, flexible, team spirited, and willing to learn
• Ability to live and productively work under stress and in insecure and harsh environments while maintaining a sense of humor
• Advocacy experience and strong presentation skills
• Experience in Iraq or in the region is strongly preferred
• Excellent computer skills including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

The Senior Protection and Advocacy Manager will be based in Baghdad, Iraq, with travel to Erbil and other governorates. The security situation in Iraq continues to be volatile. Security measures are in place (guarded compounds, communication systems, movement restrictions). The candidate should be prepared to implement programming in remote and insecure environments. This is a non-accompanied position. The Senior Protection and Advocacy Manager will live in shared housing.