Child Protection Program Officer

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.

Background/Context:

The IRC has operated in Syria since 2012, providing protection, health, economic recovery, and early childhood development programs in Idleb, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Hassakeh, and Deir ez-Zor, with new programs expanding into Hama, rural Damascus, and Homs. With a team of over 700 members, the IRC has established trust and strong community relationships, ensuring access and effective service delivery. It plays a significant role in Syria’s NGO, donor, and coordination forums, holding key positions and adapting to the evolving context.

With the new realities under the new government, as of December 2024, the IRC has deployed a team to Damascus to set up operations and engage in coordination structures for newly accessible areas across Syria—including parts of NES, NWS, and other previously unreachable locations in South and Central Syria, adjusting operations to maximize coverage and efficiency.

Protection

The IRC has been delivering protection programs in the northwest since 2013 and in the northeast of Syria since 2014, focusing on Protection/Rule of Law (PRoL), Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE), and Child Protection (CP). These efforts include specialized case management, PSS, protection monitoring, service mapping, and advocacy. Collaborating with partners, IRC improves access to protection services, raises community awareness, and strengthens referral pathways. Protection capacity building, community outreach, and rapid response through mobile protection teams have also been provided since 2017.

Job overview:

UnderthesupervisionoftheChildProtectionProgramManager,theChildProtectionProgramOfficerwillmanage andimplementchildprotectionprojectactivities,eitherdirectly orincollaborationwithlocalpartners.Theofficer willoverseethe daily operationsofthe project,providingtechnicalsupportandguidance toensurethedeliveryof high-qualitychildprotectionservicesintheprojectareas.Additionally,theofficerwillensuretheapplicationof standardoperationalproceduresandminimumchildprotectionstandards,fosteringaneffectiveresponsethat meetstheneedsofvulnerablechildrenandfamilies.TheChildProtectionOfficerwillalsoberesponsiblefor reportingandprovidingaccurateinformation abouttheprojectsundertheir supervisiontotheProgramManager promptly.

Responsibilities:

ProgramDesign,Planning,Implementing andSupport

• Theresponsibilitiesincludeproviding technicaloversightand support forthe dailymanagementofchild protection projectsboththrough directimplementation andin collaborationwith partnersin projectlocations.
• This includessupervision ofthedailyservicesof casemanagement,StructuredPsychosocialSupport(SHLS) sessions,parenting skillseducation,outreach psychosocial support(PSS)activities,awareness-raising activities,
• supporting child protectioncommittees,organizing anddelivering trainingforserviceprovidersand community leaderstoensurehigh-qualityservicesareprovidedconsistently.
• Ensuring adherenceto established casemanagementmethodologiesthroughtimelyreferrals,documentation, and regular team caseconferences.
• Development andimplementationoftraining andtechnical supportto mainstreamchildprotection standards acrossSyriaresponse.
• Identifycaseseligibleforcash assistance,registerthem, participateincashprotection committees,and coordinatewith theEarlyRecoveryandDevelopment(ERD)program to ensure theprovision ofcash assistance tochildrenandfamilies inneed according totheSOPs.
• Contributetoanyactivitiesrequiredfortheintegrated protectionprogram.
• Providing accurateinformation andsubmittingregular reportsontheprogressofthe projectandactivitydetails, both quantitativelyandqualitatively,to ensuretheprojectison therighttrack.
• Develop andregularlyupdateactivityimplementation,spending,and procurement plans.
• Developand/orimplement tools forChildProtectionAssessments, includingrevising tools, directingthechild protectionstaff,and analyzing findings.
• Lead inclusion andchild protectionmainstreaming inIRC’s Health,EarlyChildhood andDevelopmentandEarly
• RecoveryandDevelopment(ERD)programs.

Staffmanagement

• Recruit child protectionprojectstaffmembers asneeded.
• Coach,train, supervise, and mentor direct-reportstaffincluding communicating clear expectations,setting
• annualperformanceobjectives, providing regular andtimelypositiveandconstructivefeedback,and providing
• documented semi-annualperformancereviews.
• Develop,implement,andmanage capacity-building approachesto build thestrengths of theCPteam.
• Maintainopen andprofessional relationswithteam members,promoteastrongteamspirit,andprovide oversightand guidancetoenable stafftosuccessfullyperformin theirpositions.
• Holdhigh-quality meetingswith eachdirectreportonaregular andpredictablebasis,atleastbi-weekly.
• Promoteandmonitor staffcareandwell-being. Modelhealthywork-lifebalance practices. Supportappropriate interventions inresponse toidentifiedstaffcareneedsofstaff.
• Look foropportunitiesto supportstaffin theircareergrowth,whereappropriate.
• AdheretoandactundertheIRC GlobalHRPoliciesandProceduresand communicate through wordand exampleahigh standard ofcompliancewithallapplicablepoliciesand regulations.

ProjectMonitoring andEvaluation

• WorkwiththeCPManager, MEALteam,andpartnersto ensureasafeandconfidentialmechanismforcollecting
• informationonprojectactivitiesis implemented.
• Supportthe designand implementationofmonitoring andevaluation toolsthat are contextuallyappropriate
• and will allowtheIRCto measure theimpactofprogramming.
• Conductingmonitoring field visitsto overseechild protectionprojectsfordirectandpartnerprojectsinvolves assessingachievements,identifying challenges, andrecognizing gaps. This processincludesproviding detailed
• reports,constructivefeedback,and adevelopment plan aimedat enhancingthe quality ofchild protection services.
• Develop andmaintain an appropriatearchivingsystem/database totrackactivityprogressandquality.
• Ensurethatall internalandexternal reporting requirementsaremetandthat reportsare ofhigh quality andsubmitted ontime.

Coordination &Representation

• Preparing presentations andinstructionalmaterialstopresentchild protection activities andprovidingtrainings as needed.
• Supportthetimelyinformation sharing regarding challengesand needsatthe field level.
• RepresentIRC ininternalandexternalforums asneeded, including theprotection cluster and CPsub-cluster.
• Assistincontributing tothedevelopmentofreferralmechanisms incollaboration withIRCteams,otherNGOs, and theProtection cluster.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths the teams in Syria.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.

Job Requirements:

• Approximately2- 4years of experience in child protection programs.
• Degree in fields such as humanities, social sciences, sociology, psychology, education, and related disciplines.
• Experience in INGO is preferred
• Ideally experience managing and running child protection projects directly or through local partners.
• Demonstrated experience with child protection case management and psychosocial support.
• Demonstrated experience with capacity building and training of internal and external teams.
• Demonstrated understanding of protection mainstreaming of best practices for integration of child protection interventions in humanitarian action

• Report writing skills.
• Excellent relationship-building, interpersonal skills, and the ability to liaise diplomatically.
• Solid ability to provide leadership, management, team building, coaching, and development for staff./
• Experience working with local stakeholders and partners.
• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development.
• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop is a must.
• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

English and Arabic are required.

Travel: To field sites. as well as attending workshops and meetings.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Child Protection Manager

Position directly supervises: CP case workers, PSS workers, and CP assistants.

Indirect Reporting: Will work with Integration Protection Officer, IM Officer, PRol Officer, and WPE Officer.

Other Internal and/or external contacts: Regular coordination with relevant IRC staff/departments.

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the country where this position is based and are currently residing outside of your home country, you may be eligible for an attractive relocation package. Eligibility is determined based on IRC's operational needs and specific role requirements. IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.