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.

Job Overview

IRC Ukraine is currently looking for a strategic and versatile leader to oversee and manage a complex multi-donor, multi-year Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) portfolio composed of access to justice, protection monitoring, information services, psychosocial services, and case management They has practical experience in emergencies context; strong diplomacy, coordination and networking skills; solutions oriented and pragmatic with the capacity to solve problems efficiently; and previous change management experience preferred. They have strong leadership abilities to create an environment that cultivates innovative thinking and new approaches firmly anchored in the realities of the local context and aligned to national systems.

The Protection Coordinator will work to oversee the quality and timely implementation of all aspects of the ProL portfolio, providing cohesion and strategic direction. They will work closely with IRC staff and key partners ensuring the interventions are context appropriate, leverage cross-programmer synergies and complementarities and align to national systems and international standards.

One of the key responsibilities of the Protection Coordinator is to ensure technical quality and provide strategic leadership across the entire project management cycle—from design and planning to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Additionally, the Protection Coordinator will play a critical role in setting the overall programmatic direction, strategy development, donor and external engagement, as well as program and project design. The Protection Coordinator will be responsible for shaping the PRoL portfolio to ensure alignment with IRC’s global and regional strategies and meeting donor expectations.

The Protection Coordinator is also responsible for ensuring integrated programming across different sectors of IRC’s operations in Ukraine. The Protection Coordinator will work closely with other sector leads to develop multi-sectoral interventions that enhance the overall effectiveness and impact of PRoL activities, ensuring synergy and cohesion across programs.

The Protection Coordinator will be expected to spend substantial time in field locations, training, mentoring, and supporting field teams. The Protection Coordinator will play a key role in capacity building for both IRC field staff and partners, empowering them to take ownership of PRoL programming under the decentralization plan. This includes ensuring the quality of field-level implementation while working collaboratively with technical teams to maintain IRC’s PRoL standards.

Key responsibilities include programmatic resource development, advocacy related to IRC’s PRoL response, and providing strategic direction for PRoL activities. The Protection Coordinator will also offer technical guidance and mentoring to partners to enhance their capacity to deliver high-quality PRoL services.

Furthermore, the Protection Coordinator will be responsible for the systematic use of research, data, and evidence to inform decision-making, design interventions, and assess the effectiveness of programs, ensuring that ensures that interventions are grounded in solid empirical evidence aiming to improve outcomes and accountability. This includes leading initiatives for research and impact evaluations to assess and enhance the effectiveness of PRoL interventions.

This position will be based in any of the IRC Field sites – Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, with travel for monitoring and coordination purposes as necessary.

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Program Management: 

Lead the management of a complex, multi-donor, multi-year PRoL (PRoL) portfolio that includes case management, psychosocial support, and PRoL risk reduction activities. Ensure the effective delivery of these programs through IRC and partner organizations by:

  • Setting clear objectives and priorities for the PRoL portfolio in alignment with IRC’s global and regional strategies.
  • Coordinating and integrating PRoL activities across various sectors to enhance program synergies and effectiveness.
  • Developing comprehensive programmatic frameworks that guide the implementation of PRoL initiatives, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of populations affected by crisis.
  • Supporting MEAL team in establishing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess program impact, gather insights, and inform decision-making.
  • Engaging with donors and stakeholders to secure funding, provide program updates, and demonstrate accountability while aligning with their expectations and requirements.
  • Facilitating capacity-building opportunities for staff and partners to enhance the quality and sustainability of PRoL interventions.
  • Regularly reviewing and adapting program strategies in response to evolving needs, contexts, and best practices in PRoL.

Technical Quality Assurance

Uphold the highest standards of technical quality throughout all stages of the project management cycle, from design and planning to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, by:

  • Developing and implementing robust project designs that are evidence-based, contextually relevant, and aligned with best practices in PRoL.
  • Facilitating participatory planning processes that involve key stakeholders, including affected communities, and community members, to ensure interventions are responsive to their needs.
  • In collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team, establishing clear performance indicators and outcomes for all PRoL activities, ensuring they align with IRC’s standards and donor expectations.
  • Providing ongoing technical support and strategic guidance to field teams to enhance the quality of program implementation, addressing challenges as they arise.
  • Conducting regular field visits to monitor program delivery, gather feedback, and identify opportunities for improvement in service provision.
  • Leading/supporting capacity-building initiatives for staff and partners in areas such as monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and data management to ensure effective tracking of program performance and impact.
  • Collect, compile, and revise internal and external reports for the PRoL sector, ensuring timely submission to donors. Collaborate with the Grants Team to ensure the quality of external reports, maintaining consistency and accuracy in messaging to effectively communicate IRC’s impact and outcomes in PRoL initiatives.
  • Analyzing data and feedback collected during monitoring and evaluation processes to inform adaptive management, facilitating timely adjustments to strategies and interventions.
  • Documenting lessons learned and best practices from program implementation, sharing insights across the organization to foster continuous learning and improvement in PRoL programming.

Program Development, Proposal Design and Integrated Programming: 

Take a lead role in program development, project design, and proposal writing to secure funding and support for PRoL initiatives by:

  • Collaborating with key stakeholders, including field staff, technical teams, and partners, to identify emerging needs and opportunities for PRoL programming that align with IRC's strategic goals.
  • Leading the design of innovative and evidence-based project proposals that address the specific needs of affected populations, ensuring alignment with IRC’s global and regional strategies as well as donor priorities.
  • Conducting comprehensive analyses of the PRoL landscape in Ukraine, including risk assessments and stakeholder mapping, to inform project design and ensure relevance to the local context.
  • Ensuring that proposals incorporate robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, clearly outlining how success will be measured and reported in line with donor expectations.
  • Fostering collaboration across different sectors of IRC’s operations in Ukraine by actively engaging with sector leads to develop multi-sectoral interventions that enhance the effectiveness and impact of PRoL activities.
  • Promoting synergy across programs by integrating PRoL considerations into broader humanitarian efforts, ensuring that interventions are holistic and address the multifaceted challenges faced by vulnerable individuals and communities.
  • Building strong relationships with donors, participating in funding discussions, and presenting programmatic needs and achievements to secure support for PRoL initiatives.
  • Reviewing and refining proposal drafts, ensuring clarity, coherence, and adherence to IRC’s quality standards and donor guidelines before submission.

Coordination, Stakeholder Engagement, and Advocacy:

  • Represent IRC in national forums to promote PRoL issues, enhancing visibility and support for IRC’s programs. 
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with national authorities, NGOs, and international agencies to foster collaboration and enhance coordination on PRoL efforts. 
  • Facilitate joint initiatives and information-sharing among stakeholders to develop coordinated strategies that address PRoL challenges and maximize program impact. 
  • Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, and international and local NGOs. 
  • Ensure national-level concerns and challenges are communicated to relevant stakeholders to advocate for standards and procedures that enhance coordination in PRoL programming.

Partnerships:

  • Identify and develop partnerships with local and international implementing partners to enhance PRoL services in Ukraine, ensuring alignment with IRC’s PEERS standards for equal and effective partnerships to create sustainable and impactful programs addressing the unique needs of clients
  • Conduct stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify key actors in the PRoL sector, including government agencies, NGOs, community organizations, and private sector stakeholders, clarifying roles, responsibilities, and opportunities for collaboration, ensuring a coordinated response to PRoL challenges.
  • Strengthen partnerships with relevant national and local organizations, including child welfare agencies and community-based groups, to foster a coordinated response to PRoL challenges, enhancing the effectiveness and reach of IRC’s PRoL initiatives, ensuring vulnerable clients receive comprehensive support.
  • Engage in continuous dialogue with partners to share best practices, resources, and lessons learned, fostering an environment of mutual learning and collaboration to improve the quality of PRoL services and promote innovative solutions tailored to the specific context of Ukraine.

Staff Supervision & Development

  • Maintain open and professional relationships with team members, fostering a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to excel in their roles.
  • Provide technical guidance, on-the-job mentoring, and coaching for team members, including people/technical managers, to enhance their leadership and programmatic skills.
  • Directly supervise the Senior PRoL Manager, conducting regular performance reviews and providing constructive feedback to support their development.
  • Collaborate with HR and central/field teams to assist in the recruitment of PRoL staff, ensuring the team is equipped with the necessary skills and experience.
  • Facilitate training and continuous capacity-building opportunities for staff, emphasizing both technical and project management skills to empower them in their roles and enhance overall program effectiveness.
  • Spend substantial time in field locations to train, mentor, and support field teams. Empower IRC staff and partners to take ownership of PRoL programming, ensuring the quality of field-level implementation while maintaining adherence to IRC’s PRoL standards.
  • Actively contribute to the decentralization plan by empowering field teams to take ownership of PRoL programming. Provide targeted training and resources to ensure that staff in field locations are equipped to implement PRoL initiatives effectively, aligning local efforts with IRC's standards and strategies.
  • Work closely with the HR department to implement effective performance management systems, ensuring that staff performance aligns with organizational goals. Participate in regular performance appraisal processes, provide input on staff evaluations, and collaborate on developing strategies for staff development, promotion, and retention.
  • Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection at team level to strengthen safeguarding, wellbeing and duty of care, and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
  • Lead by example and support IRC’s commitment to taking all necessary preventive measures and creating an environment where people feel safe and can report misconduct.
  • Model accountability and commitment to safeguarding all staff, partners, clients and others the IRC works with to build a culture of prevention of safeguarding violations in our workplace and our programs.
  • Model accountability and commitment to wellbeing of all staff, partners, clients and others the IRC works with to build a culture of duty of care in our workplace and our programs.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS 

Position reports to: Deputy Director of Programs

Direct reporting: Protection Senior Manager (Rule of Law), Protection Senior Manager - Analysis and Reporting (Rule of Law), Primero System Administrator (Rule of Law), Protection Manager - Legal Affairs (Rule of Law), Protection Senior Manager - Analysis and Reporting (Rule of Law)

Other internal contacts: Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) Coordinator, Child Protection (CP) Coordinator, other Technical Coordinators (including Health, Economic Recovery and Development, MEAL, Grants, Partnerships) PRoL Technical Advisor, Field Coordinators

Requirements

The PRoL Coordinator will need to meet the requirements below:

  • Post-graduate degree desired in international law, human rights law, international relations, social sciences, or other related field, or equivalent work experience.
  • At least 5 years’ experience in senior management and leadership position managing large scale portfolio of multi-donor, multi-million-dollar, multi-year programming
  • Proven record of technical expertise in programming in one or more of the following areas: access to justice, case management, psychosocial support, information services, and protection monitoring and analysis
  • Previous experience implementing humanitarian protection programs
  • Demonstrable ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and data-driven reporting
  • Ability to lead effectively, mentoring and conflict resolution skills, including managing complexities
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in new business development, grants management and donor liaison
  • Familiarity with key donor regulations, i.e. BHA, BPRM and ECHO
  • Experience in working with and coordinating with the UN, donors, INGOs and other stakeholders
  • Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, capacity building, project design and budget management
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills with excellent analysis and writing skills
  • Strong team and people leadership, portfolio management, organizational and development skills
  • Proven networking, team building, organizational and communication skills
  • Additional qualities: ability to multi-task, ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, flexibility, adaptability to transitions.
  • Fluent in spoken and written English and Ukrainian 

This position will be based in any of the IRC Field sites – Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, with travel for monitoring and coordination purposes as necessary.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

IRC builds diverse and inclusive teams of professionals who promote team engagement, inclusion and cohesion, critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients. 

The International Rescue Committee is determined to protect the people it serves, its staff and any person associated from all kinds of harm, abuse, and violence, including sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. It is committed to taking all necessary preventive measures and creating an environment where people feel safe and can report misconduct. IRC workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. The IRC also operates and enforces a set of complementary institutional policies to protect clients and staff from harm and abuse through the Adult and Child Safeguarding policies, the Respect at Work and Harassment-free Workplace policies, the Anti-retaliation and Reporter Protection policy, which are complemented by the IRC Global Reporting guidelines. These commitments are accessible in English and in Ukrainian language via this link: https://rescue.box.com/v/irc-safeguarding-policies. 

Where misconduct is alleged, IRC follows a Zero-tolerance approach and takes all necessary actions and corrective measures. The IRC investigation unit comprises of experts and trained investigators that ensures professional survivor-centered investigations are conducted if allegations of safeguarding violations are reported through the safe and accessible reporting channels that IRC makes available to its staff, partners, and clients. IRC is also an active member of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) set-up in Ukraine. 

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 who are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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