Protection Manager-Internal Only

The International Rescue Committee has been in Nigeria since October 2012 and came in response to a widespread flood disaster. IRC’s Emergency Response Team, with local partner, Civil Society Coalition for Poverty Eradication (CISCOPE), implemented projects to support food security, livelihoods, nutrition, and WASH in Kogi State. Beginning of January 2014, IRC shifted geographical location to the Northeast, in Adamawa state to provide humanitarian response to the conflict-affected populations. In the Northeast, IRC has operational offices: Yola and Mubi field offices in Adamawa State, Damaturu in Yobe State and Bama, Monguno, Gwoza and Maiduguri field offices in Borno State-with the latter office opened in October 2015. In both states, IRC is providing humanitarian support to internally displaced populations hosted in IDP camps, camp-like settings, host communities and returnee populations. In 2023, the IRC began operations in Northwest Nigeria.

The IRC Nigeria country program is implementing integrated multi-sectoral interventions in the sectors of: Health; Nutrition; Environmental Health; Child and Youth Protection and Development (CYPD/ CP); Education; Women’s Protection and Empowerment; Economic Recovery and Development and Protection Rule of Law. Most of these programs are driven in partnership with strategic local NGOs.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The IRC is implementing a Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) program featuring strengthening of community-based protection structures, capacity building, protection monitoring, information dissemination, Legal sensitization/counselling and legal assistance, Protection Case Management and referral services. The IRC will strengthen the capacity of government authorities, local organizations and local communities around protection mainstreaming and protection monitoring. The PRoL program is currently implemented in the NE States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe and Northwest States of Zamfara and Katsina.

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

Minimum 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

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Good communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with community members, community leaders, government and other non-governmental stakeholders and partners.
• Works well in and promotes teamwork, is comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and other languages desirable.
• Knowledge of the local language will be an added value.

Computer / Other Tech Requirements:

• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to Travel: 50% of time if applicable.

Standards of Professional Conduct:

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of 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, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

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 IRC Persons in any work setting.

Gender Equality:

IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Working Environment:

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.