Protection Manager-Internal Only at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) Protection Manager will oversee an IDP and host community Protection program in Katsina and Zamfara States, Nigeria. In this capacity, the Protection Manager will be responsible for day-to-day supervision and oversight of protection teams in Zamfara/Katsina States and various protection activities, budget management, administration, and implementation of the requirements of the programs. The Protection Manager will work closely with other IRC Sectors and partner agencies operating in Northwest (Zamfara and Katsina).

Responsibilities

Program Management & Development:

• Create and execute work plans, spending plans, Items Forecasts, procurement plans and related systems to ensure that project deadlines are met, and targets achieved.
• Supervise and coach the Senior Protection Officer, Capacity building & Training Officer, Legal Officer and Protection Officers to conduct monitoring (site visits, observation, Focus group discussions, key informant interviews)  and/or community consultations focused on protection concerns and the identification of affected populations including Persons with Disabilities (PWD) within the target communities. Ensure that monitoring visits respect principles of confidentiality of interviewees and that all incidents reported to IRC are handled with due regard to protection principles.
• Supervise and coach the Protection Officers to deliver information dissemination/ awareness-raising activities on topics such as service availability and access to Justice.
• Support the Protection Officers in maintaining a good working knowledge of available services from IRC and partners, and an ability to make appropriate referrals to those services during protection monitoring and community outreach activities.
• Develop and maintain a good knowledge of the protection situation locally and the priority needs of the IDP population and host community. Compile protection assessment reports to inform IRC and partner programming in Katsina and Zamfara States
• Convene and facilitate the monthly/semi-monthly community forum made up of NNGOs, community leaders, Protection Action Groups (PAGs), local authorities, women’s committee representatives, and others to discuss community priorities and NNGO plans.
• Support the Capacity Building Officers and the Legal Officers in capacity building of community-based protection mechanisms through training, support, and maintenance of the PAGs throughout the State.
• Conduct protection mainstreaming activities, especially regarding partner programming to ensure that protection principles are prioritized in service delivery and that vulnerable IDPs and host community members have equal access to services.
• Participate in the development of proposals, budgets, budget narratives, logframes, Indicator Tracking Tools (ITT) and concept notes in coordination with the Protection and Rule Law Coordinator, DDP, Grants team, PRoL Technical Advisor, and HQ Technical Unit.
• Contribute to the development of the Country Sector Strategy for the Nigeria Protection Program.
• Support other protection programs as needed, including Child Protection and Women’s Protection and Empowerment.

Staff Management:

• Recruit national staff in conjunction with the Human Resources Department.
• Maintain updated job descriptions, conduct interviews, orient new staff to the IRC and the Protection Program.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to the Protection Team through regular supervision and feedback on performance.
• Build the capacity of the Protection Staff to improve their range of capabilities related to the Protection Program and its activities.
• Ensure Performance Management System documentation for all staff is in place and followed up regularly.

Grants Management and Reporting:

• Manage and oversee grants; develop and maintain work, spending and procurement plans for all projects.
• Participate in Grants Project Opening, Project Implementation, Lessons learnt, Mid-Term and Project Closing meetings.
• Prepare internal and external reports within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats, as required.
• Ensuring effective implementation of M&E systems throughout the lifetime of the project.
• Manage the project budget; review monthly Budget vs. Actual, Weekly consolidated PRTS and expenditure sheets and collaborate with the Supply Chain and Finance department to ensure accurate expenditures and reporting.

Representation & Coordination:

• Actively participate in coordination mechanism with partners, IDPs, and host community leaders to ensure information sharing and coordination of interventions, and to enable meaningful participation of both IDPs and host communities.
• Liaise with partners, particularly through the protection sector working group/coordination mechanism, to share findings and any issues of relevance and/or concern related to the local context or broader trends.
• Establish relationships with other NGOs, international organizations, government offices, particularly those working in protection and participate in relevant coordination forums.

Key working relationship

• Position Reports to: Senior Consortium Manager (Safety Outcome)
• Management in Partnership with: Protection Coordinator
• Indirect Report to: Consortium Deputy team Lead.
• Update 

Qualifications

• Degree in Law, International Law, Human Rights, Social sciences, Social work  or International Affairs. Bachelor’s degree is a minimum.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in protection programming in a displacement setting.
• Previous working experience with US and European donors is an asset.
• Strong understanding of protection principles and likely protection concerns arising in the Nigeria context as well as conflict sensitivity
• Experience in complex emergencies and the ability to live and work in a very remote environment.
• Ability to work under pressure and without daily supervision.
• Demonstrated skill in staff management in a cross- cultural environment.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and report writing experience required.
• Strong interpersonal, intercultural and communication skills
• Excellent oral and written skills and computer skills