Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

With funding from ECHO, the IRC is leading a VITAL consortium that will address increasing health and protection risks for refugees and host communities driven by the ongoing influx of refugees, regular disease outbreaks, and declining funding. The role will support the design and implementation of a localized, integrated, multi-sectoral response to address heightened health and protection risks among refugees and host communities.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Protection Officer will be responsible for contributing to the delivery of lifesaving interventions for new arrivals and vulnerable populations through coordinated Protection, Multi-Purpose Cash Transfers (MPCT), and Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR), ensuring safe and accountable referrals. It supports gap-filling across points of entry, transit, reception centres, and high-caseload settlements, while promoting an area-based, “one team” approach that enhances efficiency, strengthens local partnerships, and enables adaptive responses to emerging crises such as influxes and disease outbreaks.

In close cooperation with the Senior Protection Officer and other consortium members, the Protection Officer will:

• Lead protection program activities;
• Deliver technical support and guidance to the partner protection team;
• Ensure the quality of the planning, implementation, and follow-up of all technical aspects of the protection program activities being implemented;
• Develop and maintain good relations with forcibly displaced and stateless persons (FDSPs), relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of IRC’s sector activities.

Key responsibilities:

• Protection monitoring, identification of protection concerns and facilitation access to services through the referral system to the beneficiaries; Individual protection assistance, awareness-raising, and advocacy for the rights of forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
• Contribute the project planning and implementation on the field level, monitor protection activities/projects to ensure alignment with implementation plans and quality standards.
• Document case studies, best practices, and lessons learned from the cases handled by the protection staff.
• Ensure protection case management is done according to established standards while respecting the principle of confidentiality. Identify, conduct and follow up referral.
• Carry out Protection monitoring, data collection and document the needs of the FDSPs. Monitor project outcomes and challenges, working with M&E officers to conduct field visits and provide timely updates.
• Develop mitigation strategies for potential challenges affecting project operations.
• Plan and participate in integrated awareness-raising sessions and information campaigns of the FDSPs, working closely with the Signpost team.
• Participate in joint assessments, identifying protection concerns and reporting.
• Support mapping of services and development of effective referral pathways working the Signpost Service Mapping team.
• Supports Volunteers in their integration and support to the clients at various service points.
• Oversee PSN needs/risk assessments and provide appropriate responses ‐ targeted assistance as necessary.
• Ensure all information gathered is managed according to established procedures and respects principles of confidentiality.
• Ensure good coordination with refugee leadership structures (RWCs, para social workers etc) and appropriate support provided.

• Lead protection program activities;
• Deliver technical support and guidance to the partner protection team;
• Ensure the quality of the planning, implementation, and follow-up of all technical aspects of the protection program activities being implemented;
• Develop and maintain good relations with forcibly displaced and stateless persons (FDSPs), relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of IRC’s sector activities.
• Protection monitoring, identification of protection concerns and facilitation access to services through the referral system to the beneficiaries; Individual protection assistance, awareness-raising, and advocacy for the rights of forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
• Contribute the project planning and implementation on the field level, monitor protection activities/projects to ensure alignment with implementation plans and quality standards.
• Document case studies, best practices, and lessons learned from the cases handled by the protection staff.
• Ensure protection case management is done according to established standards while respecting the principle of confidentiality. Identify, conduct and follow up referral.
• Carry out Protection monitoring, data collection and document the needs of the FDSPs. Monitor project outcomes and challenges, working with M&E officers to conduct field visits and provide timely updates.
• Develop mitigation strategies for potential challenges affecting project operations.
• Plan and participate in integrated awareness-raising sessions and information campaigns of the FDSPs, working closely with the Signpost team.
• Participate in joint assessments, identifying protection concerns and reporting.
• Support mapping of services and development of effective referral pathways working the Signpost Service Mapping team.
• Supports Volunteers in their integration and support to the clients at various service points.
• Oversee PSN needs/risk assessments and provide appropriate responses ‐ targeted assistance as necessary.
• Ensure all information gathered is managed according to established procedures and respects principles of confidentiality.
• Ensure good coordination with refugee leadership structures (RWCs, para social workers etc) and appropriate support provided.