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:
Following the displacement of Syrian in Raqqa Governorate, the IRC intend to set up a Safe Healing and Learning Space (SHLS) for children in Raqqa City. The Safe Healing and Learning Spaces will provide children (5-8) psychosocial and educational support through structured and age-appropriate Early childhood Development (ECD) inter through group and individual activities.
Responsibilities:
- Attend training organized by the IRC.
- Adhere to the Code of Conduct every day – in SHLS and in community
- Facilitate recreational activities for children.
- Create space and stimulate learning environment for children through utilizing teaching and learning materials throughout the lessons.
- Follow and implement the IRC curricula and lessons targeting children accurately.
- Collect data as required by SHLS Officer and the M&E Officer
- Come to the SHLS every day prepared to engage in positive way with children.
- Take children’s attendance for each session
- Prepare activity plan on a weekly basis
- Observe children with special needs and ensure they are well integrated into the activities and if needed refer them to relevant services
- Answer questions from community members and parents about what activities are taking place in the SHLS
- Attend special information sessions planned for community members and parents
- Develop schedules for daily/weekly activities for children/youth
- Ensure that all children and youth are safe from harm
- Report supply/material needs to the SHLS Leader
- Communicate with local authorities and community leaders about the Parenting Program to ensure community acceptance
- Conduct needs assessment (if relevant)
- Organize communication events about the program and identify the beneficiaries to the program
- Implement the Parenting Program training sessions carefully following the instructions in the manual
- and actively participate in all training sessions organized by the IRC – including taking pre/post-tests as instructed.
- Attend all sessions in your SHLS (minimum 90% attendance required).
- Accurately keep attendance records of children at each session.
- Complete observations or weekly reports as requested by supervisor.
- Remain open to feedback from SHLS Leaders and IRC staff.
Job Requirements:
- Well respected and nominated by the community (though final selection will be done by the IRC)
- Preferably, a degree in education, social work, human rights, or any other related degree.
- Completion of secondary education is required.
- Previous experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required.
- Qualified teacher with teaching experience in primary and elementary school
- Minimum one year of similar work experience.
Education:
Work Experience:
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:
- Arabic is required
- Travel: 100 % to field sites in Raqqa City as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Child Protection Officer
Position directly supervises: None
Indirect Reporting: Child Protection Manager
Key Internal Contacts: WPE, Child Protection, PROL, Health team members
Key External Contacts: Communities, service providers
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.