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 IRC launched an emergency health response in Libya in September 2016 as the humanitarian situation in the country was deteriorating following the 2014 civil war. Since then, the IRC has broadened its portfolio with health, protection, and governance programs aiming to employ a holistic approach to meeting the needs of crisis affected and vulnerable communities to survive, recover, and gain control of their futures.
The scope of IRC Libya’s violence prevention and response (VPR) programming includes Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE, which includes Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) prevention and response), Child Protection (CP), and Protection Rule of Law (PRoL, or broader humanitarian protection) for conflict-affected and other at-risk women, girls, men, and boys. In the design and development of responsive, client-centered protection programming, working both directly and in partnership with local actors, IRC Libya integrates health and protection (with e.g., sexual and reproductive health, MHPSS) while also promoting women’s social and, increasingly, economic empowerment.
SCOPE OF WORK: The Integrated Protection Coordinator (IPC) is a highly experienced, dynamic individual with a strong technical background and team and program management experience. The IPC leads the design, development, and management of a robust violence prevention and response program able to meet the safety and protection needs of conflict-affected people, reducing risk and responding to cases of violence, coercion, and deprivation, as well as mainstreaming protection throughout the IRC’s and partners’ response in Libya. Strong capacities and adaptive, evidence-based approaches in protection are integral to the delivery of the IRC Libya country strategy through both dedicated and integrated programming toward improving outcomes for target populations. The IPC plays a critical role in building staff technical and program management capacities, driving forward implementation and coordination with other actors, ensuring qualitative data is produced and analyzed effectively, and participating in IRC and multi-agency advocacy efforts.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Strategic Leadership & Business Development
Develop and implement an adapted Integrated VPR country strategy for Libya, addressing the current and emerging protection issues and emergencies-related needs, including a triple nexus programming approach, that reflect and contextualize Strategy 100 and the Libya Country Strategic Action Plan. Lead all aspects of VPR functions across multiple sectors and multiple geographical areas and work at the policy level with key decision makers participating in strategy development and technical discussions to influence policy reforms for an improved protective environment.Shape and implement Protection systems and approaches that meet IRC standards and practices, are responsive to program needs, and enable accountability to clients, partners, and donorsReinforce integration of cross-sectoral priorities in Protection and in emergency preparedness and response plans, including integration efforts with health team, safeguarding, disaster risk reduction, Diversity-Equality-Inclusion and in alignment with Do No Harm principles and considerations. Proactively contribute to business development for the Libya protection portfolio through development of evidence-based and cost-effective concept notes and proposals to existing and new donors, maintaining a coherent strategy across IRC’s areas of intervention in Libya aligned with the IRC Libya Strategy Action Plan.Program Quality and Management
Serve as a technical lead in quality program design and concept note and proposal development to further fund and develop IRC Libya’s VPR programming, both standalone and integrated.Ensure that IRC Libya VPR program activities and deliverables (Women Protection and Empowerment, Child Protection and Protection & Rule of Law) are planned effectively and delivered on schedule, are of high quality, meet humanitarian standards, mainstream protection, align with IRC’s Outcomes and Evidence Framework, are based on learning and technical best practice, and respond to community and monitoring feedback.Liaise with IRC Technical Unit regional advisors to ensure relevant support, tools, and other resources are being provided and integrated into programmingPromote joint work across all protection teams (CP, WPE, PRoL) to enhance the quality of programming and a holistic approach to addressing safety risks and achieving comprehensive safety outcomes. Proactively identify, assess, monitor and implement measures to reduce or control risks that may impact program delivery, quality, or compliance. Develop/ensure adherence to the internal Standard Operating Procedures for integrated protection and support improved quality of specialized services available in country in addition to contributing to the standardization of protection protocols, referral pathways and SOPs. Effectively manage IRC program resources and facilitate the strengthening of program management capacities across the team.
Grant Management
In collaboration with the Grants & Partnerships, Finance, HR, and Supply Chain departments, ensure smooth and IRC- and donor-compliant management of project work plans, procurement plans, and budgets (i.e., actively and effectively engage in budget forecasting, spending planning, procurement plans, Item Forecasts, BVA reviews), promoting best use of resources across activities and delivering on time, to scope, and within budget. Through direct liaison with the Supply Chain Coordinator, help ensure timely procurement of supplies and materials in compliance with donor and IRC rules and regulations through timely planning, specifications development, and collaborative relations with Supply Chain colleaguesEnsure that all internal and external reporting requirements are met, that reports are of a high quality and are submitted on time.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Accountability
Work with program managers/senior managers and MEAL/information management teams to analyze program performance and course correction actions needed. Ensure close and effective collaboration with MEAL staff in the design of program M&E plans and promote adherence to internal MEAL standards.Conduct regular reflection or program review meetings with field-based staff to assess the level of achievement and draw on learning and data trends (including client feedback) to further inform program design and management decisions.Lead the use of data from protection analyses and monitoring reports to integrate protection across other sectors.Provide guidance on implementation of accountability mechanisms for beneficiary feedback and review sector M&E and accountability data with VPR team members to identify areas for operational improvement. Champion an organizational culture where data is routinely used for evidence-based decision making and program adaptation.
Partnerships
In collaboration with other program coordinators and dedicated partnerships support staff, actively participate in the identification of, and promote coordination and work in partnership with international and local Libyan civil society and governmental counterparts (including women-led and youth-led civil society organizations).Support partnerships staff to conduct participatory capacity needs assessments of prospective partners and assist in regular performance monitoring of active partners (through various modalities) to achieve program objectives.Develop, coordinate and strengthen capacity sharing partnerships with Protection counterparts of partner agencies and local organizations as required. Support delivery of capacity strengthening and sharing plans for partner organizations as needed.
Representation and Coordination
Attend relevant coordination forums inside Libya and represent the IRC protection program in coordination with local communities, government departments, international agencies, local partners and donors as required. Collaborate closely with other program departments in order to ensure that linkages between programs are made and programs gain from training best practices. Participate (directly or via an appropriate delegate) in all technical meetings for consortium projects.Identify, monitor, and report unmet needs; explore the potential of the IRC to address those needs within the parameters of the country program’s Strategic Action Plan while preventing duplication with other actors and taking advantage of synergies.Staff Management and Development
· Establish an inclusive, efficient and responsive staffing structure for the Protection department which considers a balanced workload and optimal ways of working to support a large multi-sector program that prioritizes staff well-being. Supervise the Protection team across multiple sectors and geographical areas. Set clear performance objectives, schedule regular check-in meetings, manage staff work plans, conduct regular performance reviews, champion a positive working environment for professional development, and foster an inclusive and respectful team climate.Coach, train, supervise, and mentor Protection department staff. Promote the growth and development of the team. Assess proficiencies and develop and lead a targeted learning and training strategyDevelop and implement capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the Protection team.Safeguarding
·Oversee the compilation of sector-based service mappings into a comprehensive multisectoral service mapping, enhancing coordination and access to services for vulnerable populations and working closely with the regional SG advisor to ensure alignment and strengthening safeguarding efforts across the IRC programs. Ensure and support protection team to attend specialized safeguarding training with a focus on safeguarding SOP’s, minimum standards, disclosure and safeguarding referrals to enhance their ability to manage safeguarding concerns effectively.Promote a culture of safeguarding across all levels of programming, ensuring compliance with IRC safeguarding policies and international standardsAssign and train safeguarding focal points within the team, ensuring they are equipped to address safeguarding concerns and act as key resources for the program.Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
· Ensure that all team members are trained on DEI principles, with a focus on integrating these principles into day-to-day activities, program design, and staff management practices. Develop and implement strategies to increase the representation of diverse groups and female in the protection program, promote equal opportunities and prevent discrimination.Assign and train DEI focal points within the team to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all program activities and ensure DEI principles are integrated into the workplace culture.Other
· Other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor to further IRC Protection objectives.
WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: The IPC reports to the Deputy Director for Programs. The IPC directly supervises two staff (WPE & CP Senior Manager; PRoL Manager). Other key working relationships include:
- Internal: Grants & Partnerships Coordinator; MEAL Coordinator; HR Director; Supply Chain Coordinator; Deputy Director Finance/Finance Controller; Health Coordinator; Advocacy/Communications Lead(s); Regional VPRU Technical Advisors. Effective coordination/collaboration with human resources, finance, supply chain and other operations staff/teams is essential.
- External: Relevant multi-agency coordination forums and working groups; international and Libyan partner organizations; Libyan authorities.