Graduate Protection Assistant at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee(IRC), one of the world's largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries. The IRC is committed to bold leadership, innovation and creative partnerships. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, women's empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Protection Assistant

Location: Yola, Adamawa
Sector: Protection

Summary

• The IRC Nigeria country program is implementing multi-sectoral interventions in the sectors of: Health and Nutrition; Environmental Health; Child Protection; Education; Women’s Protection and Empowerment; Food Security and Livelihoods and Protection. Most of these programs are driven in partnership with strategic local NGOs.

Scope of Work

• The International Rescue Committee is implementing a protection program featuring strengthening of community based protection structures, capacity building, protection monitoring, information dissemination and referral services.
• The IRC will also building capacity of government authorities, local organizations and local communities around protection mainstreaming and protection monitoring. The IRC will also include legal assistance and counselling services.
• The protection program is currently implemented in the NE states of Adamawa and Borno.
• Under the supervision of the Protection Officer, the Protection Assistant is responsible for taking lead in the implementation of targeted individual assistance activities. The Protection Assistant will take part in implementation of other Protection sector activities in areas of responsibility.

Roles and Responsibilities
Targeted Individual Assistance Case Management:

• Identify and register extremely vulnerable individuals for targeted individual assistance in coordination with other Protection staff.
• Manage targeted individual assistance cases, including maintaining strict protocols for confidentiality and update case files, following IRC SOPs and ensuring beneficiaries’ information is protected.
• Carry out needs assessment to understand EVI needs and ascertain what assistance they require
• Develop TIA distribution, implementation and follow up plans and ensure that EVIs selected for TIA receive appropriate assistance.
• Conduct follow-up visits to ensure that needs of EVIs have been met in an appropriate manner and beneficiary have the opportunity to provide feedback on the TIA received.

Implementation of Protection Activities:

• Act as focal point for the identification of extremely vulnerable individuals (EVIs) for adequate assistance according to IRC Protection sector pre-defined criteria.
• Conduct general (community-level) and incident (individual-level) protection monitoring to identify vulnerabilities, protection needs and concerns of the targeted population.
• Together with the Protection Officer and Senior Protection Officer, establish Protection Action Groups (PAGs) and oversee their activities of in target areas.
• With guidance from the Protection Officer and Senior Protection Officer, support PAG members in developing action plans and community project concepts.
• Take part in all community engagement and information dissemination activities in target communities including community mobilization.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships and networks with key/relevant stakeholders in target communities.
• In consultation with the Protection Officer and Senior Protection Officer, liaise with relevant stakeholders in order to increase access to services for IDPs.
• Assist in the implementation of other Protection sector activities in the areas of operation.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting:

• Collate and consolidate PAG monthly action plans and weekly reports and submit consolidated reports to the Reporting and Database Assistant.
• In close coordination with Protection staff, carry out service and stakeholder mapping in all target communities.
• Collate and consolidate age and gender disaggregated data.
• Develop monthly implementation work plans including consolidating and submitting weekly and monthly reports. Provide constant feedback to supervisor on progress, lesson learnt, achievements and gaps, issues and problems.
• Keep and file records and correspondences related to the TIA activities.
• When needed, participate in the Protection sector monitoring and evaluation activities.

Finance and procurement:

• Prepare targeted individual assistance activity budgets and ensure timely liquidation of funds.
• Raise procurement requested in compliance with IRC Supply Chain and procedures.

Other:

• Take part in the identification and referral of most vulnerable individuals to services.
• Carry out community level advocacy to ensure service provision and increase access to services for target population and contribute to Protection sector advocacy initiatives.
• Conduct duties in accordance with IRC Nigeria Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
• Conduct duties in strict accordance with IRC Code of Conduct and the principle of confidentiality.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• University degree in Law, Human Rights, Refugee Studies, Social Sciences, Political Science or other related discipline.
• At least 1-3 years protection experience in a humanitarian and/or development sector
• Prior experience with persons of concern such as internally displaced persons would be a distinct advantage.
• Understanding of the socio-economic conditions and needs of Nigerian IDP populations will be an added advantage.
• Experience working on sensitive protection activities that require discretion and adherence to data protection protocols.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving vulnerable individuals with respect, patience and understanding and respect for people with special needs and other vulnerability.
• Prior experience or familiarity with NGO sector and local communities would be an advantage.
• Familiarity with international protection and human rights legal standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to establish reports.
• Ability and willingness to maintain regular presence in the local community and to work during irregular working hours.
• Ability to work effectively and constructively as an integral part of multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team and to work with a wide range of government and community counterparts, and other actors.
• Desire to learn and constantly improve work by applying what is learned to daily activities.
• Patient, able to manage stress and competing priorities.
• Fluency in English and knowledge of at least one local language will be an added advantage

Application Closing Date
27th May, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their cover letters and CV's in MS word with the position applied for to: [email protected]
Or
Applications should be sent to:
The Country Director,
International Rescue Committee,
Adamwa State.