Jobs at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Under the supervision of the Protection Manager, the Senior Protection Officer is responsible for the overall oversight and management (planning, implementation, and monitoring) of the UNHCR project. S/he will support the Protection Manager in managing and supervising staff. S/he is responsible for ensuring that projects run smoothly by providing technical leadership, supervising, training and mentoring staff, and coordinating the implementation of project activities. The Senior Protection Officer will contribute to the IRC Protection program development and proposal development. S/he is will play an active role in establishing and managing relationships with local partners, humanitarian actors, state authorities, beneficiaries and local/traditional leaders and contribute to the achievement of IRC Protection program and IRC vision 2020 goals.

Project planning and implementation

• Responsible for the planning and timely implementation of project activities in Borno, ensuring adherence to IRC policies and procedures.
• Continuously monitor project quality; for example, strengthening data collection, reporting, accountability initiatives, and documenting the impact of IRC presence in the field.
• Ensure synergy between the Protection sector and other IRC sectorial activities in Borno in close coordination and consultation with other Protection staff.
• Work with the Protection Manager and Coordinator to contribute to new project development, including both narratives and budgets.
• Contribute and support effective monitoring, evaluation and learning processes and initiatives, and ensure effective data and information management for project.
• Develop monthly work plans focused on key outputs and outcomes in consultation with other Protection staff.
• Ensure staff contributions to project monitoring and evaluation requirements to ensure project quality, relevance and accountability to IRC's target populations.
• Integrate community approaches, gender sensitivity, capacity building and mainstream protection into all activities as appropriate.

Reporting and documentation

• Ensure IRC has up-to-date information on the affected and targeted community and coordinate beneficiary lists and numbers with Reporting/Database Assistant and different stakeholders.
• Ensure the timely and quality delivery of weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual project reports.
• Ensure high-quality IRC and donor reports on activities, indicators and achievements.
• Ensure that all reporting is disaggregated by age and gender.
• Keep proper records of all project activities.

Team Management

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Support the Protection Manager in supervision, hiring and orientation new Protection staff as necessary.
• Contribute to IRC Protection sector team-building efforts, help solving arising problems and support the Protection Manager in the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Qualifications

• University degree in law, Political science, psychology, social sciences or social work (bachelors as a minimum).
• Relevant experience in protection programming including focus on protection monitoring and responding to identified protection needs.
• Demonstrated experience using international human rights standards in protection programming.
• Knowledge of Project Cycle Management
• Experience of HR staff management of national staff
• Experience of working in IDP sites (camps and host communities).
• Experience with coordination of humanitarian protection activities essential. Skills in advocacy essential
• Ability to manage teams especially field teams in a challenging environment
• Ability and willingness to live and work in a challenging environment
• Good communication skills (written and verbal), cultural sensitivity, flexibility, ability to improvise, team player.
• Ability to live and productively work under stress and in insecure and harsh environments while maintaining a sense of humor
• Strong computer skills require (word and excel).

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Job Overview/Summary: 

The Case Worker will be responsible for providing direct support and care for high-risk cases of persons with specific needs (PSN) in Borno, including case management. The Case Worker will be supervised by the protection manager to ensure qualitative and effective case management.  It is anticipated that the caseload will be between 10-25 cases. 

Responsibilities: 

Individual Case Management   

• Identify and receive referrals regarding individuals and families (including carers) with specific needs who are detected during registration, psychosocial, outreach and other activities (for example, through Refugee Outreach Volunteers).  
• Conduct household visits and center-based interviews to assess the needs of individuals and families.  
• Provide information to individuals and families about their rights and entitlements, including what services and are available (including beyond the scope of services provided by IRC).  
• Work with identified individuals and families to develop and implement an action plan in accordance with their needs, capacities and goals. o Offer individuals and families’ choices and options, including seeking out alternatives when the needed services are not available, and actively involve individuals and/or families in decision making that will affect them.  
• Assess risk and support individuals and families to understand risks relevant to their situation.  
• Link individuals and families with support groups and networks, and other community based resources, as appropriate.  
• Directly provide psychosocial counseling and support the coordination of provision of services by other specialized service providers in accordance with the needs of individuals and families.    
• Ensure appropriate monitoring, review and follow up of the services provided to cases.   
• Ensure complete and updated documentation related to each individual case.  
• Determine if and when it is appropriate to discontinue follow up to individuals and families (case closure).  
• Be accountable to individuals, families and communities for the services they provide.  

Data management and reporting  

• Manage, file and store data, ensuring the confidentiality of the information collected and the services provided.   
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly work plans in a timely manner for the Senior Case Worker’s validation.  
• Support the implementation of monitoring and evaluation tools and report on problems in the implementation of the program.  
• Participate in weekly reporting and planning meetings to ensure adherence to standards of care, quality case management and reporting requirements.  

3. Coordination and representation  

• Contribute to the maintenance of an up-to-date service mapping of the service providers operating in the area and take proactive steps to remain informed about the available services.  
• Receive cases referred from other agencies (following case allocation by the Senior Case Worker). Provide feedback of actions taken to other agencies, when necessary and appropriate considering confidentiality requirements.  
• Lobby on behalf of individuals and families to access services and support individuals and families to effectively represent their views, needs and capacities in all meetings affecting them. 

Qualifications

Essential attributes

• University degree in law, human rights, refugee studies, social sciences or other related discipline;
• Relevant professional experience of three (2) years, preferably in emergency and/or development context;
• Prior experience or familiarity with IRC and/or persons of concern (including internally displaced persons and refugees-returnees) would be a distinct advantage;
• Prior experience or familiarity with NGO sector would be an advantage;
• Knowledge of international protection and human rights legal standards
• Knowledge, skills and experience in community development and mobilization.
• Experience in conducting training needs analysis/assessments and developing training programs for a broad range of audiences from different institutional levels;
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility.
• Excellent spoken and written English and relevant computer skills.
• Full respect for client/organization confidentiality.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and respect for people with special needs and other vulnerability.
• Ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team player.
• Excellent Report writing skills.

Competency profile

• Experience in management of a team;
• Excellent analysis and reporting skills;
• Excellent communication and organization skills;
• Punctuality and respect for applicable rules and procedures;
• Ethical and transparent decision-making;
• High regard toward preserving confidentiality of work-related information and data;
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of local communities and customary rules;
• Independent work, i.e. with minimal supervision and under pressure;
• Self-motivation, goal/result-orientation and team work;
• Flexibility, creativeness, tolerance and maturity.
• Computer/IT literacy (OS Windows/Vista/Linux, MS Office, Internet etc.)