The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the worldโs 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 more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees delivers 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.
The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.
IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, womenโs protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.
Job Overview/Summary:
The INGO Protection Working Group Coordinator (PWG) will be leading the coordination efforts of NGO Protection partners in NES, liaising with UN protection partners, NES Forum and Whole of Syria (Protection, Child Protection and Gender-Based Violence Areas of Responsibilities), and fostering information sharing between NGOs and UN agencies operating in NES, and leading NES NGO protection advocacy messaging and strategies for the NGO community.
Responsibilities:
โข Chair the NGO Protection Working Group (PWG) meetings. Actively identify and make contact with new and existing actors to add to the working group, inclusive of those that may be registered in other hubs, but responding in Northeast Syria;
โข Work with PWG members to ensure that key protection concerns are reflected and addressed;
โข Support the working groupโs data collection efforts, helping partners to submit accurate and consistent data; provide analysis back to the working group and other interagency stakeholders; support the development of uniform data collection and monitoring tools for ease of comparison and analysis across INGOs;
โข Support effective response planning in consultation with PWG members based on protection needs identified from collected data and analysis;
โข Raise protection concerns for the NES hub and liaise with coordination fora (NES INGO Forum/OCHA NES Focal Point/Qamishli Sub Office/Whole of Syria) locally and on a technical level to identify solutions to raised concerns.
โข Ensure and facilitate contextual analysis, needs assessments and access to beneficiaries and sites/structures;
โข Collaborate with other sectors, including the WASH, Health and the FSL Working Groups to ensure integration of protection principles, responsive programming across sectors and course correction where protection concerns identified;
โข Identify gaps and areas of overlap in the protection services in NE Syria;
โข Represent NES PWG in coordination with the WoS protection sector coordinators and other Whole of Syria protection initiatives as required;
โข Identify and support WoS resource and funds tracking and coordinate with WoS coordinators to advocate with donors to ensure appropriate support for inter-agency protection activities;
โข Ensure PWG preparedness and contingency plans are updated on a regular basis and made available to PWG partners;
โข Assist in developing/updating information management tools and products;
โข Oversee, compile, and analyze key protection indicators and data from the NES hub to ensure production of knowledge to steer strategic and operational planning for the WoS response, including but not limited to contributions to the HNO and HRP process.
Mainstreaming Protection and Application of Standards
โข Establish and implement a strategy for mainstreaming protection across each sector/working group;
โข Mainstreaming protection and application of national and international humanitarian principles among PWG actors and others as requested through trainings and technical support;
Capacity Building
โข In close coordination with PWG sub-groups and AoR WGs, coordinate and facilitate training for PWG members, local government authorities and other humanitarian actors on protection relevant topics; identify opportunities for training in other areas as needed;
โข Look at ways of building the capacity of the local authorities and other PWG members to create a stronger protection environment and to prepare for future emergency responses.
Required Experience/qualification/Skills:
Essential
โข Minimum of 5 years proven experience working on protection issues and coordination in humanitarian environments, including provision of technical advice to field teams.
โข Proven experience in coordination, leadership, representation, advocacy, and partnership building in humanitarian contexts.
โข Strong analytical, communication, facilitation, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
โข Advanced university degree in law, human rights, social sciences, or related field.
โข Experience in working in Northeast Syria or similar contexts
โข Excellent understanding of Protection issues in emergency situations/conflict environment and knowledge of humanitarian principles, guidelines and laws and the cluster system;
โข Experience in working with UN agencies, INGOs, local NGOs, authorities, donors, etc.
โข Familiarity with humanitarian coordination mechanisms and tools, such as clusters/sectors, OCHA, HRP, HNO, 4Ws, etc.
โข Able to work successfully under pressure and ability to make timely decisions;
Preferable:
โข Knowledge of specific protection issues and challenges in Northeast Syria, such as IDPs, refugees, returnees, host communities, etc.
โข Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of international humanitarian law, human rights law, refugee law, and humanitarian principles and standards.
โข Previous experience in cluster or sector coordination.
โข Strong experience with information management as related to the protection sector, including maintaining standards of impartiality and confidentiality with data of a sensitive nature.
โข Commitment to IRCโs mission, vision, values, and IRC Way โ Professional Code of Conduct.
Language/Travel:
โข Fluency in English (written and spoken) and working knowledge of Arabic or Kurdish an asset
โข Travel: This position includes 50% travel throughout the region (mostly within Northeast Syria, and to a limited extent within the region as needed).
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: WoS Senior Protection Sector Coordinator
Indirect/Technical Reporting: NES Field Director
Position directly Supervises: NES PWG IMO (seconded to the PWG) and the PWG Deputy
Key Internal Contacts: IRC NES Integrated Protection Coordinator, CAAFAG Coordinator, NES CP AOR Coordinator, NES GBV AoR Coordinator, HLP Task Force Coordinator, Regional team
Key External Contacts: NES INGO PWG members, NES INGO Forum, WOS, UN representation in NES (including UNHCR, UNICEF, UNFPA and OCHA), Donor representatives, local authorities
Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.
**Standard of Professional Conduct:**The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way โ our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.