Protection Specialist – GBV At Danish Refugee Council

The overall purpose of the role: Under the supervision of the Protection Coordinator (PC), the Protection Specialist (PS) contributes to the development and implementation of DRC’s sector strategy in Iraq and is responsible for supporting the delivery of high-quality protection services across DRC Iraq’s areas of operation, in close collaboration with field management and Protection Managers. While contributing to DRC’s broader protection strategy to ensure linkages across protection activities, the specific technical focus of this role will be Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response programming – including GBV case management.

To this aim, the Protection Specialist will support the harmonization and rollout of tools, guidelines, and SOPs for GBV case management, strengthen referral pathways, and ensure standard donor and data analysis/reporting methods (in collaboration with M&E) are in place for these activities. The Protection Specialist – GBV will play a key role in capacity building and technical supervision of case management staff on GBV standards, tools (including GBVIMS), and approaches for communicating with communities on raising on attitudes.

Main Responsibilities;

• In collaboration with the Protection Coordinator, and in alignment with DRC’s global GBV policy, ensure program tools, technical guidance notes, and risk mitigation measures required for quality implementation are in place.
• Develop an analysis of GBV protection needs and provide evidence-based recommendations for GBV response programming, through a phased approach.
• Ensure Do no Harm through effective coaching, mentorship, and traintrainingired for implementation.
• Ensure a minimum standard of capacity and awareness on GBV referrals across protection teams (including sensitive legal cases) and other sector teams to reinforce the effectiveness of the more specialized staff response.
• Provide regular technical support and guidance to protection managers to strengthen the capacity of protection teams in delivering high high-quality case management services, ensuring that supervision and coaching structures are in place at field level to ensure adequate oversight by PMs (see capacity building);
• Undertake field visits to monitor the quality of implementation and provide technical advice and customized and needs-based capacity building to protection staff, with specific regard to GBV case management;
• Ensure that ethical, consistent, and sound data collection management systems (GBVIMS) are in place for GBV protection activities, ensuring availability of data analysis for informed decision-making and project design;
• Support team members on consistent client and data tracking; and data visualization (Power BI); Support the Protection teams with the establishment and regular update of the MEAL plan, including (a) ensuring appropriate indicator and quality tracking (both quantitative and qualitative) and (b) working closely with MEAL to put in place accountability mechanisms;
• Coach field teams with the adoption of standardized methodologies (including those developed by consultants or internally), including associated monitoring and evaluation mechanisms;
• Stay abreast of developments that have an impact on the protection environment in Iraq and provide ongoing analysis on key issues on a regular basis.

Capacity building

• Lead the development and delivery of participatory training materials, including on GBV case management and PFA, for relevant staff; generally support with ongoing coaching, mentorship, and training required for the implementation of GBV programming (see above);
• In coordination with the Protection Project Managers, assess training and development needs within the Protection team, and develop a capacity-building plan, including the development and/or delivery of training materials to further build the capacity of protection staff to undertake all necessary steps of the GBV case management process;
• Participate in the recruitment process, the capacity building, and the evaluation of protection staff, as necessary;
• Establish processes, systems, and learning events in Iraq that will lead to a general capacity building and professionalization of DRC staff and partners on protection.

Program design

• In close coordination with the Protection Coordinator, the Protection Specialist contributes to the development and implementation of DRC’s sector strategy in Iraq, as well as the harmonization and rollout of tools, SOPs, and guidelines with a particular focus on GBV;
• Recognizing DRC’s existing human rights case management capacities, propose concrete strategies for extending that capacity to GBV case management in pilot areas;
• Provide strategic recommendations on linkages for GBV programming and GBV risk mitigation with other sectors (e.g. women’s access to assets and livelihoods);
• Work closely with the Protection Coordinator, Protection Project Managers, and Legal Specialists on the identification of GBV needs of communities and gaps in Protection services within DRC’s areas of intervention;
• Support the development of guidance on communication with communities mobile modalities, integration of protection with other core sectors, and ensure application of a participatory, community-based approach;
• Provide technical input into the development and implementation of relevant SOPs and technical standards;
• Participate in the proposal development process by providing field-specific context analysis technical sector-specific analysis, beneficiary information, and technical feedback on the concept.

Coordination and Representation

• Active participation in, contribution to, and representation of DRC in the Protection Cluster, and GBV AOR or other relevant bodies, including working groups and other meetings related to protection;
• Coordinate internally and externally with relevant actors to ensure teams are applying updated service mapping for effective referrals when requested by a client.
• Ensure that DRC’s work is coordinated with the efforts of other agencies, ensuring the specific needs of vulnerable communities are being addressed;
• Feed into national clusters through Technical Coordinators, in particular regarding context, needs, and possibilities for coordination.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Proven experience of at least 4 years in international protection and GBV programming, including in GBV Case Management, in conflict-affected countries is required;
• Knowledge of and experience with Gender-Based Violence Information Management Systems (GBVIMS) including an understanding of conducting data collection within case management and community engagement activities, and data analysis. Experience with EMAP highly desirable.
• Proven experience in capacity building on Psychological First Aid (PFA) and Psychosocial Support (PSS) at level 3 of the IASC MHPSS pyramid, in accordance with Interagency GBV Case Management Guidelines.
• Experience providing technical guidance, developing and delivering participatory training/capacity building;
• Experience in report writing, data/information analysis, and M&E;
• Strong information management skills, including but not limited to the creation of databases, use of server-based information collection tools, etc.;
• Proven strong analytical and communication, representation, negotiation, advocacy, and diplomacy skills;
• Strategic thinker with the ability to quickly develop good insight and understanding of the conflict, the human rights situation, and the political environment of the program country;
• Knowledge of Gender and Protection mainstreaming, AGD, PwSN, and AAP approaches;
• Experience working and living in a multicultural environment and traveling to conflict-affected areas;
• Extensive experience in reporting and project development, excellent writing skills in English. Good command of Arabic is an asis set.
• Preference will be given to female national candidates

Education:

University or Master’s degree relevant to humanitarian work, preferably in law, social work, gender studies, social sciences, or humanitarian aid.

Languages:

• Fluency in English (written and spoken),
• Arabic language skills are highly desirable;

Key stakeholders:

• Protection PM
• DRC Head of Programmes
• Protection Coordinator
• MEAL and Grant management

Diversity & Inclusion: DRC Iraq is committed to promoting an inclusive work environment according to our Age, Gender, and Diversity approach (AGD). We aim to have a more diversified leadership structure creating opportunities for qualified women to take on managerial roles. We also continuously work to make our workplace more accessible for persons with specific needs. We offer benefits related to psychosocial support, health insurance, maternity and paternity leave, child sick leave, and lactation breaks. As part of our commitment to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, we strongly encourage applications from female candidates, persons living with disabilities, as well as representatives of minorities.