The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria – more than half of the country’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.
IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.
Job Overview/Summary:
On 29 June 2019 the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) signed an Action Plan with the United Nations (UN) to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children under the age of 18. According to global practice, the UN will, together with the humanitarian community, support the Action Plan implementation. Since its signature, progress has been made in terms of coordination, partnership, fundraising and awareness raising.
The Inter-Agency CAAFAG Coordinator will report to the Field Director (FD) with a technical supervision from Whole Syria (WoS) Protection Sector Co-coordinator. The position holder is expected to provide coordination support and technical leaderships for the matters related to Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Group (CAAFAG) as well as perceived association, in collaboration with UNICEF Amman and CP AOR Coordinator. This position supervises the senior National Prevention & Response to Child Recruitment Officer.
Responsibilities:
Technical Quality and Implementation
• By co-leading the CAFAAG TF, ensure effective coordination among humanitarian agencies engaged in activities related to the prevention and response to child recruitment in North East Syria.
• Review and update an interagency coordination strategy and workplan on the prevention and response to child recruitment in North East Syria. Act as a liaison between humanitarian actors in NES and the UN to ensure successful collaboration.
• Roll out interagency tools and products aligned to global minimum standards aimed at prevention and response to child recruitment (e.g. assessment, SOPs, guidance notes);
• Support designing and implementation by NES humanitarian actors of program interventions in support of implementation of the action plan, including CP, GBV/gender, education, livelihoods, and adolescents/empowerment, towards community-based reintegration and alternatives for disengaged children.
• Provide child protection technical support to stakeholders in relation to a) development and dissemination of a military order/political directive and training materials, age assessment SOPs and screening mechanisms, b) demobilization and interim care arrangements including community-based reintegration programs, c) safe and accessible complaints mechanism, and d) prevention activities.
• Support training and capacity building support to staff of NES humanitarian actors on the contents of the action plan and related child protection interventions and skills, as well as awareness raising sessions with stakeholders and other relevant focal points on the action plan contents and child protection approaches.
Management and Reporting
• Manage the partnership with UNICEF and assist with providing inputs to internal and donor reports, as well as quarterly reporting to the Syria MRM leadership and the Office of the SRSG-CAAC on progress made, implementation issues and remaining challenges.
• Assist with the preparation of fundraising proposals and donor reporting, as well as support the overall management of child protection and other sector partnerships;
Coordination
• Coordinate and monitor program interventions in support of the implementation of the action plan and ensure linkages with the Protection sector and other relevant sectors (e.g. Education, Cash, Livelihood, MHPSS) and programs;
Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development
• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in Syria.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
Required Experience/qualification/Skills:
• Master’s Degree in Human Rights, IHL or related discipline
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in the humanitarian sector, preferably working with refugees or internally displaced populations; at least 2 of which must be in the field of child protection/protection preferably in complex emergencies.
• Previous experience in an emergency or conflict-afflicted setting is required.
• Experience in coordination or cluster coordination
• In-depth understanding of CAFAAG response, related international standards, and guidelines.
• Proven leadership, program and staff management skills and capacity building
• Demonstrated capacity and experience in developing assessment tools (e.g. questionnaires, focus group discussions) and in conducting field-level data collection
• Strong analytical skills and ability to distill data into important, relevant insights and learnings to improve program quality and inform future programming priorities
• Experience managing projects and budget management skills
• Strong writing skills and experience in writing donor reports and proposals
• Advanced knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email/internet software.
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 and a sense of humor is a must.
• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.
Language/Travel:
• English is required, while Arabic and/or Kurdish are desired.
• Travel: 15% to field sites in NES as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings.
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to: Field Director, IRC Northeast Syria
Position directly supervises: Senior Prevention & Response to Child Recruitment Officer
Indirect Reporting (If applicable): Whole of Syria Protection Cluster Co-Coordinator
Key Internal Contacts: IRC Internal Departments: Protection, Grants, Finance, Supply Chain
Key External Contacts: CP AoR Coordinator, Protection Working Group Coordinator, UNICEF, CAAFAG TF Members, Stakeholders of Action Plan
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 in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. 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.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
How to apply
https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/31523?c=rescue