Protection Manager

INTERSOS is a non-profit humanitarian aid organization that works to bring assistance to people in danger, victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Established in 1992 with support from the Italian Federation of Trade Unions, its actions are based on the values of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights and opportunities for all people and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable and the unprotected.

INTERSOS identifies with the core values of CONCORD, the European Confederation of NGOs; it adheres to international codes of conduct for humanitarian organizations and the values and principles expressed within those codes. INTERSOS is recognized by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the European Commission and the principal UN agencies; it is privileged to hold an advisory status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

INTERSOS is an independent association which, through its own humanitarian operators, intervenes to effectively answer the needs of people in serious crises situations, mainly in the world's poorest regions, who are suffering, deprived of rights, dignity and essentials goods. It maintains a flexible operating structure. The head office in Italy coordinates, supports and monitors the planned activities in the countries of intervention carried out by decentralized offices.

Job Title      : Protection Manager

Reports to        : Head of Base / Program Manager (Line Manager) & Protection Coordinator (Technical Referent)

Duty Station     : Zahle, Bekaa

Position Type    : Full Time

Job Purpose:

The Protection Manager is responsible for the technical supervision and coordination of all protection-related activities across projects within the area of intervention.

S/he will ensure that training and capacity building needs of field protection staff are timely addressed and that the protection services and activities meet quality standards in the sector.

S/he is the Protection focal point representing INTERSOS within the area of intervention and, in close collaboration with the Head of Base/Program Manager, supports in defining and planning project objectives and priorities, identifying protection needs, analysing context and protection concerns.

Generic duties

Technical oversight

1. Lead, coordinate and provide overall supervision of all protection-related activities in area of intervention, ensuring implementation is in line with quality protection standards and complies with INTERSOS and relevant donor guidelines
2. Develop and/or contextualise protection-related tools and mechanisms to ensure a consistent approach across projects, ensure the consistent application of Standard Operating Procedures and support and improve the quality of project implementation
3. Monitor and when necessary build staff capacity on protection-related tasks, tools and processes throughout project(s) implementation
4. Promote age, gender and diversity-sensitive approaches across project activities, support staff to safely identify and reach the most vulnerable within the community and ensure protection is mainstreamed throughout and across project implementation
5. Provide support, advice and guidance to protection staff in the area of intervention on high-risk cases and responses to serious incidents and protection concerns
6. Review and approve assessments and submissions for cash-based assistance including Emergency Cash Assistance, Cash for Rent and Protection Cash (internal or PCAP), ensuring assessments and decisions comply with internal SOPs and that full documentation and tracking is maintained and adheres to data protection protocols;
7. Arrange regular coordination meetings with Protection Officers and senior protection staff across and within projects in area of intervention to identify, enhance and promote harmonisation and synergies between activities towards improved protection outcomes.

Program and project development

1. Review and analyse information and data gathered through implementation of protection activities to provide protection context and trend analysis and identify emerging protection concerns, gaps in needs and coverage and challenges in the area of implementation; support the dissemination of findings and analysis amongst protection staff and management at base and coordination levels for advocacy and learning.
2. Support the development, implementation and evaluation of the mission strategy and program in reference to protection activities and provide technical inputs and recommendations, including on required staffing into new proposals and interventions in the area of implementation.

Monitoring and Reporting

1. In close cooperation with Program Manager and the Reporting Officer, contribute to regular reporting (programme implementation and donor reporting) on activities undertaken by protection staff/teams in the area of intervention and their impact;
2. Undertake regular field visits to observe and monitor protection activities, identify good practice and challenges and provide technical guidance to field and frontline staff;
3. Undertake regular review of indicators, information and data generated by protection activities (including through the PAT) to monitor the impact of activities. Suggest changes and revisions where necessary to improve and enhance protection outcomes.

Human resources

1. Support in recruitment and selection of staff within protection projects;
2. Ensure all protection staff and community volunteers are adequately trained on and competent in applying key protection principles, INTERSOS PSEA and Child Protection policies as well as relevant soft skills such as communication with the affected population;
3. Provide input into, and where appropriate take the lead on the evaluation of staff performance respective to the relevant staff’s reporting structure, with a particular focus on technical skills evaluation.

Representation and Coordination

1. Be the Protection Focal Point for INTERSOS in the area of intervention, representing (or ensuring representation of) INTERSOS in relevant technical coordination meetings and working groups and attending bilateral coordination meetings with local and international organisations where required;
2. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders including partner agencies and service providers to ensure the protection team remains informed and up-to-date about available services and that field challenges and protection concerns are brought to the attention of relevant parties;
3. Proactively participate in protection and relevant INTERSOS coordination meetings at the national and base level;
4. Participate in donor meeting including through the accompanying and providing briefings during donor field visits.

Specific Duties

Protection Manager Role:

Act as technical referent of Project Managers and Deputy Project Manager

Technical supervision of Protection Officers and Senior Case Worker

During prolonged absence of Project Manager or Deputy Project Manager, serve as budget line holder and line manager for Protection Officers as delegated by Programs Manager

Supervise preparation by Protection Officers of relevant protection component work plans and consult PMs/DPMs on division/distribution of tasks across protection component teams;

Review the content and provide technical input and support into the elaboration of activities across protection components;

Organise regular bilateral meetings with Protection Officers to monitor technical quality and requirements of planned and ongoing activities and support in adjusting/updating work plan where required;

Support Protection Officers to provide suitable technical supervision of teams, including holding regular meetings to ensure their adequate oversight of technical components and identify, address and record capacity building needs of team members;

Support the timely and accurate submission of monthly reports by Protection Officers as needed and undertake analysis of information to support improvements and adaptations in programming;

Arrange regular coordination meetings with Protection Officers across and within projects in area of intervention to identify, enhance and promote harmonisation and synergies between activities towards improved protection outcomes.

Education:

BA in relevant field (Social Science, Psychology, Social Work, Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law or other fields related to social development and humanitarian work)

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

Professional Competencies:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in the protection sector (of which at least one year in a supervisory role).
• Demonstrated experience of leading, managing and motivating a team.
• Excellent technical knowledge in humanitarian protection (including case management, psychosocial support activities, community engagement, Gender-Based Violence); experience in legal services/activities is beneficial.
• Demonstrated experience in project management and report writing.
• Strong understanding of monitoring and evaluating protection activities and impact.
• MS Proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• Excellent writing skills
• Driving License issued since more than 2 years.

Behavioural competencies:

• Commitment to and understanding of protection principles
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

• Flexibility and adaptability; Ability to work under pressure and in a challenging environment. High degree of flexibility in terms of working extra hours and movements.
• High level of planning & organising; Ability to meet deadlines and set work plans.
• High level of analytical thinking
• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Leadership; Developing and motivating others
• Driving and achieving results
• Problem Solving & Decision making
• Strategic vision
• Humanitarian motivation and commitment to INTERSOS values
• Respect of INTERSOS policies and procedures

Languages:

• Fluency in Arabic & English.