Senior Integrated Protection Manager

BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The Ukraine crisis could become the worst humanitarian crisis Europe has seen in decades. More than 5.3 million people have fled across borders to seek safety in the 1st month since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and over 6.5 million people are reported to be displaced. Reports indicate almost all arrivals in Poland are women and children, including those that are unaccompanied and separated, as well as older persons.

Between February 7-23, 2022, an IRC team undertook a scoping mission covering Poland and Ukraine to better understand the context, humanitarian and civil society landscape, and anticipated service gaps in the event of an escalation of conflict in Ukraine and consequent displacement into neighboring Poland. As of February 24th, the IRC has pivoted to emergency response, and has identified partner agencies in Ukraine and Poland to facilitate immediate assistance that can be used where it is most needed. Simultaneously, the IRC has established operations across Ukraine and Poland offering a robust humanitarian response to complement partner response services either in breadth or scale.

IRC Poland’s goal is to ensure the survival of the affected population in a way that enables their safety, dignity, and empowerment. Working in the program areas of education, economic recovery and development and Protection/safety, the IRC in Poland works to see that 1) People affected by the war in Ukraine are able to meet their immediate and basic needs with safety and dignity and avoid harmful coping mechanisms and 2) People affected by the war in Ukraine are protected and supported to recover from the consequences of violence and displacement through equitable access to services and information. A signature part of IRC’s strategy, Protection includes WPE (Women’s Protection and Empowerment), ProL (Protection and Rule of Law) and CP (Child Protection) programming which benefit to varying degrees from both partner-led and direct implementation.

Job Overview/Summary: The IRC Poland directly implements several components of its Protection programs in two Integrated Protection (IP) Centers, one which is in Katowice and the other in Gdynia. The Integrated Protection (IP) Senior Managerwill be responsible for overseeing all matters relating to the management, administration and supervision in both centers, ensuring the smooth implementation of quality robust WPE, PRoL, and CP program activities. Such activities include the operationalization of WGSS (Women’s and Girls’ Safe Space) and SHLS (Safe and Healing Learning Spaces) as well as the delivery of survivor-centered CP, GBV and PROL case management amongst other response and prevention activities.

Major Responsibilities:

Specific Responsibilities in both centers

· Provide direction, leadership and overall management support to both centers, to ensure quality direct implementation of Protection programming.

· Work closely with WPE, CP and ProL coordinators to ensure the smooth flow of technical support including preparation and facilitation of trainings, to staff and partners (as needed and requested).

· Provide strategic support and guidance in the planning and implementation of all activities related to PRoL, WPE and Child Protection to ensure they meet the Global standards and aligns to the country program strategy.

· Supervise, mentor, and help build the technical capacity of the Protection teams working in both centers including the general Protection, CP and GBV case workers and the WGSS and SHLS facilitators.

· Support the implementation of survivor-centered case management services that promote safety, confidentiality, non-discrimination and respect the rights and wishes of adult clients.

· Closely coordinate with Protection staff on trends, community dynamics, community acceptance, to modify activities and material accordingly.

· Participate in interpretation of the analyzed data on trends and work with the Protection teams to disseminate information to all relevant stakeholders.

· Participate in the preparation and dissemination of all relevant reports.

· Follow GBV and CP guiding principles of respect, confidentiality, and safety/security and non- discrimination while providing services to refugees coming to the centers.

· Provide strategic direction in the development of the centers’ annual program work plans, spending and procurement plans and ensure implementation of work plans aligns to project timelines.

· Strengthen internal and external synergies between IRC sectors and with other partners including civil society organizations, and local government to ensure clients have holistic access to services and support availed by the respective providers.

· Support collaboration with other stakeholders to ensure an effective and smooth field-level coordination.

· Support identification of strategic partnerships and implement activities in collaboration with other service providers.

· Support IRC participation in general Protection, GBV and CP sub-working groups and any relevant coordination meetings within Gdynia and Katowice.

· Provide back-stopping to the Protection team.

· Liaise closely with IRC Operations departments including Supply Chain, HR, Finance:

· Identify and follow up on procurement needs, vendor options and safety and security issues;

· Assess and respond to the emerging HR needs of both centers.

· Direct line management of two Integrated Protection Managers.

Qualifications

Key Working Relationships:

· Position Reports to: Integrated Protection Coordinator.

· Other Internal and/or external contacts:

o Internal: Regular relationships with IRC WPE, Child Protection, Protection Monitoring, and Livelihoods teams.

· External: Collaboration with IRC partners and donors including other non-governmental organizations, inter-agency group.

Requirements – Education:

· A bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, human rights, international law, social science or related field.

Requirements – Previous experience:

· Strong managerial and leaderships skills with 5 years’ demonstrated experience managing teams and community-based protection programming.

· 2-3 years’ experience in working in Protection Programming, especially general protection, GBV and/or Child Protection.

· Demonstrated experience in strengthening newly established programming.

· Demonstrated experience working directly with refugees.

· Demonstrated experience applying humanitarian principles and survivor-centered approach in various settings.

Requirements – Skills, knowledge, and interests:

· Capacity to organize, plan and manage a work portfolio involving two geographic locations requiring frequent travel between Gdynia and Katowice and occasional travel to Warsaw.

· In-depth knowledge of general Protection, GBV and of CP including using Best Interest Determination procedures.

· Excellent communication, interpersonal and teambuilding skills

· A good understanding of relevant diaspora, cross-cultural and sensitive issues.

· Excellent facilitation, listening and observation skills.

· Demonstrated commitment to feminist approaches and women’s empowerment.

· Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and be able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.

· Demonstrates ability and commitment toward diversity and inclusion.

· Commitment and pro-active capacity to build a healthy and supportive working environment.

· Personal qualities: good listener, team player, flexible, network-builder, able to handle pressure well and work in cross-cultural setting.

Requirements – Language skills:

· Fluency in written and spoken English. Ukrainian, Polish and Russian language skills are an asset.

Requirements – Compliance:

· Strict adherence to humanitarian, protection, CP, and GBV principles and standards, as well as organizational policies including Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).

· Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients at all times is essential.

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 makes sure policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Gender Equality: The 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.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the IRC, our diverse clients, partners, and staff have the power, voice, and agency to shape programs and operations. We actively work to end all forms of systemic discrimination and foster an inclusive working environment where everyone feels respected, heard, valued, and supported. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. The IRC encourages women to apply and work with us to reach the people most in need of humanitarian assistance, such as women, widows, and children. The IRC is committed to providing a decent and safe work environment that considers needs of women in the workplace, including through maternity leave and safety protocols.