Protection Cluster Co-Lead

Sector:  Protection & Rule of Law                              

Location: Pakistan                            

Employee Type: Regular                               

Employee Category: Full Time

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home. The Protection Cluster Co-lead will work with the designated UNHCR lead to support the management of the Protection Cluster in order to coordinate the humanitarian response to the needs of disaster/conflict-affected populations in Pakistan. The position will split time between Peshawar or Islamabad, depending on programme requirements, with travel to the provinces/districts as feasible. Responsibilities: In coordination with the UNHCR lead, the incumbent will be responsible for the following roles (actual division of responsibilities may vary): Coordinating protection activities and actors within the Protection Cluster Identifying, reporting and responding to continuing and arising protection needs for disaster affected populations Mainstreaming protection across the other Clusters Building the capacity of the Government and other Protection Cluster members to create a stronger protection environment and to prepare for future emergency responses Draft relevant policy and advocacy documents related to protection issues, report on regular basis as required on protection cluster activities Supervise closely national protection cluster co leads at provincial level and support them in conducting protection monitoring visits Establishment and Maintenance of Appropriate Coordination Structures In collaboration with the UNHCR and Government co-leads, co-chair the Protection Cluster, ensuring agreement on key decisions and actions Establish links and coordination with national and local coordination mechanisms Encourage and support NGO and Governmental participation in the coordination of responses Support the development and capacity of District Protection Working Groups, where relevant through the Provincial Protection Cluster lead and co-lead, and in close coordination with Child Protection and GBV sub-group/sub-cluster leads Mobilize resources to respond to priority protection concerns Represent the Protection Cluster at relevant inter-agency, government, donor and other forums, in partnership with the designated UNHCR lead Needs Assessments and Information Management Identify, analyze and report on local protection dynamics and concerns with a focus on ensuring durable solutions to displacement Develop or introduce appropriate protection tools for use by Protection Cluster members to identify, report, monitor and respond to protection concerns Map the needs, capacities and gaps in service provision and the protection of human rights Advocacy Support the design of advocacy strategies and take a strong role in coordinating and leading advocacy initiatives on identified protection concerns Planning and Strategy Development Prepare and update strategic action plans, disaster preparedness and contingency planning and ensure that these are adequately reflected in overall country strategies Represent protection concerns in cross-sectoral/inter-cluster discussions on strategy, policy, prioritization and resource mobilization  Mainstreaming Protection and Application of Standards Establish and implement a strategy for mainstreaming protection across each sector/cluster Support Protection Cluster members to understand and follow humanitarian and protection principles and standards that are based on international legal frameworks Support the application of international and national protection standards across all sectors and with local government authorities Capacity Building Develop or make use of existing training tools to train on protection principles, international standards and protection responses In close coordination with Protection Cluster sub-groups and sub-clusters, coordinate and facilitate training for Protection Cluster members, local government authorities and other humanitarian actors Where relevant, provide ongoing capacity building and skills exchange with the protection District Working Group Chairs and with their members Where relevant, provide capacity building and training for provincial and district authorities on protection response and application of standards Monitoring, Reporting and Communication Put in place a system for reporting on the progress of Protection Cluster members’ activities for effective monitoring and evaluation Develop and maintain effective communication and information sharing within the PTG/Protection Cluster and among other sectors Ensure a high standard of reporting on identified issues and production of regular situation reports Supervision and Mentoring Where relevant, supervise and work closely with a national counterpart to share skills and build their capacity to co-lead the Protection Cluster Representation Represent the Protection Cluster at relevant inter-agency, government, donor and other forums, in partnership with the designated UNHCR lead Qualification Post graduate degree in international law, social sciences or related field Minimum of 5-7 years proven experience working on protection or rule of law related issues in humanitarian environments, including provision of technical advice to field teams Excellent understanding of protection issues in emergency situations and detailed knowledge of humanitarian principles, guidelines and laws; Excellent leadership, coordination, capacity building, planning and analytical skills; Excellent advocacy and representation skills including the development of strong interpersonal relationships to facilitate communication within the cluster; Able to work successfully under pressure and ability to make timely decisions; Excellent written and spoken English, Self motivated and excellent observer and surveyor of protection issues in the country. Previous experience of working within the cluster system preferred Experience in Pakistan and/or in the region is preferred Proven ability to live and work in an unstable, insecure environment
IRC leading the way from harm to home.  IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.

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