Senior Protection Manager – Bekaa at International Rescue Committee

Job Overview: Under the supervision of the Protection and Rule of Law Coordinator, the Senior Protection Manager will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) program in north Bekaa. The Senior Protection Manager will be the primary focal point for the implementation of at least two protection projects, directly responsible for a team of approximately 27 staff and a network of community volunteers implementing protection programming. The protection program in north Bekaa includes protection monitoring, referrals, legal assistance, case management and community mobilization. The Senior Protection Manager directly line manages five staff, including, the Deputy Protection Manager, Referral Officer, Community Engagement Officer, Governor Support Officer and Protection Monitoring Officer. The role requires both strong technical expertise and excellent project management skills, including donor reporting and budget management.

Responsibilities:

Project Implementation & Grants Management

• Lead the overall implementation of at least two protection projects in north Bekaa, supervising protection staff to ensure that stated goals and project objectives are achieved in line with project workplans.
• Work closely with the Senior Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) Officer to ensure detailed and accurate monitoring of project progress against indicators. Ensure that any under achievement is raised and addressed in a timely manner.
• Set clear project workplans for all teams in order to ensure that key project outputs are being consistently achieved on a weekly and monthly basis. Closely monitoring any challenges to achieve project objectives, and support staff with challenges as required.
• Provide comprehensive, accurate and detailed inputs into regular donor reporting in a timely manner.
• Work alongside the PRoL Coordinator to provide inputs for the development of new project proposal, as required and the overall protection program strategy.
• Ensure that all project activities are implemented within the assigned budget parameters. Alongside the Deputy Protection Manager, and with the support of the Program Support Officer (PSO), manage all financial aspects of the project including preparation of spending-plans, detailed budget follow-up and launching financial requests (i.e. recruitment requests, advances and purchase requests).
• Coordination with the PSO, Supply Chain, Finance and Grants staff to ensure that all aspects of program implementation are compliant with IRC and donor regulations.
• Coordinate closely with IRC’s Safety and Security team to ensure that program activities, including weekly movement plans, are aligned with updated and relevant guidelines.
• Participate in bi-weekly ‘PRoL Team Leads Meetings’ with other Senior Protection Managers to strengthen the overall coordination of PRoL Programming across Lebanon.

Staff Supervision and Development

• Maintain overall responsibility for the management of the PRoL team in north Bekaa. Complete regular performance reviews and hold structured team meetings. Ensure that all staff have regular one-to-one check-ins with their direct supervisor to receive ongoing guidance and feedback.
• Work closely with the Deputy Protection Manager and Team Leads to ensure that each staff has in place professional goals and clear workplans. Clearly communicate expectations, setting performance objectives and provide regular and timely feedback on performance.
• Provide the team with in-field coaching and mentoring on an ongoing basis, with a strong focus to build capacity and enhancing program quality.
• Promote and monitor staff care and promptly raise any critical concerns to the PRoL Coordinator, Field Coordinators and/or senior management as necessary.
• In close coordination with the PRoL Coordinator, participate in preparing basic protection training materials for new staff, and ensure that all new staff receive an adequate induction, including on the IRC’s Feedback Accountability and Response (FARM) mechanisms.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and sense of shared objectives. Ensure that credit is equally shared among the team.
• Review and signs-off on leave requests and timesheets. Ensure that annual leaves are taken on a timely basis, while adequate coverage is maintained.
• Ensure that all staff adhere to the principles set out in the IRC Code of Conduct, and promptly raise any concerns with senior management as required.

Technical Protection Programming

• Provide technical guidance to teams on activities including protection monitoring, referrals, legal assistance, case management, cash assistance and community mobilization.
• Conduct ad-hoc spot checks to review the technical quality of programmatic implementation and provide teams with constructive feedback and guidance.
• Work closely with the PRoL Coordinator and Protection Information Manager (PIM) to provide analytical inputs for protection reports, including contextual developments in north Bekaa and regular updates on protection incidents and trends.
• Assist in the development/update/implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as required for the protection activities, and to enhance program quality.
• Work closely with the Deputy Protection Manager to strengthen community-based protection, community mobilization and engagement at the Aarsal Community Development Centre (CDC).
• Oversee the work of the Referrals Officer to maintain effective and safe referral pathways for persons at heightened risk, both between IRC programs and externally.
• Support the overall collaboration between distinct IRC’s programs, by closely coordinating with other IRC programs, including Child Protection, Women’s Protection and Empowerment, to ensure a comprehensive response to client’s needs.

Coordination and Representation

• Maintain an active presence in relevant humanitarian coordination fora, including as Co-Chair of the Bekaa Protection Working Group alongside UNHCR.
• Develop and maintain effective coordination with key donors, including UNHCR and other external stakeholders. Effectively represent IRCs in external fora, including on key policy positions.
• Ensure effective referral pathways and collaboration is maintained with external actors, including adherence to information sharing protocols.

Other

• Consistently and proactively monitor the safety and security of the team, promptly reporting any concerns or incidents to IRC management.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

Job Requirements:

Work Experience:**

• At least four to five years working within the humanitarian sector, and/or two years of professional experience in a similar post. At least two years of experience working in Bekaa is strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Outstanding management and organizational skills. Ability to determine priorities, effectively delegate, while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.
• Solid experience in drafting donor reports and external representation.
• Ability to perform under pressure, while maintaining a positive attitude and sense of humor.
• Strong computer skills including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Prior experience in financial managing and budgeting.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Arabic. Ability to communicate with a high level of diplomacy, and to maintain a collaborative approach with external actors and other IRC programs.
• Strong inter-personal communication skills, and the ability to maintain strong working relationships within a team.
• Prior experience working within protection programming. Solid understanding of International Human Rights and Refugee Law.

Education: University degree in Law, International Relations, Development, Social Sciences (or other related fields if paired with requisite work experience)

Language Skills: Advanced English and Arabic language skills is a must.

Certificates or Licenses: N/A

Working Environment: Located in Zahle with frequent travel to other Aarsal and other areas in North Bekaa. It is estimated that this position will be approximately 70% office based and 30% field based.