Protection Adviser

This is a 18 month replacement role with unaccompanied terms based in Kyiv, Ukraine with a salary Grade 4, from 45,457 to 50,509 euros.

You will report to the Concern Programmes Director of the Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine (JERU) and work closely with the JERU protection programme staff.

We would like you to start as soon as possible.

Your purpose:

The Protection Adviser reports to the Programme Director, providing technical support for implementation and functional management to the protection officers based in the field offices. The Protection Adviser also coordinates with the Programme Director to lead and develop the strategic direction of protection activities for both emergency and early recovery contexts.

You will be responsible for:

Alliance15 members Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe (WHH) have been working together in Ukraine since February 2022 using their combined resources and reach, to ensure a quick and effective emergency response to assist the crisis-affected population.

This response, known as JERU (Joint Emergency Response Ukraine), is working inside of Ukraine to help internally displaced people (IDPs) and vulnerable host community members through multipurpose cash assistance, in-kind food and NFI assistance, protection services and support for livelihoods. JERU implements a significant proportion of its programme in partnership with local and national NGOs, or Civil Society Organisations.

Concern is responsible for recruitment of this position under JERU. The main duty station will be Kyiv, with frequent missions to sub offices in Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, Kharkiv, Sumy and Mykolaiv areas according to accessibility and security conditions.

Main responsibilities:

• Oversee and provide technical guidance on the implementation of protection, predominately MHPSS related activities, ensuring that project deliverables and activities are of high quality;
• In coordination with the Programme Director review and adapt the current strategy to ensure a relevant and effective strategy for protection and integration with other sectors. Work within the framework of the IASC guidelines for mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings, Sphere standards and Child Protection Minimum Standards;
• Review and create if needed programme materials and tools (e.g. provide training materials, tools and training reports for review, and receive input on development of materials etc.;
• Plan, manage and coordinate with the Programme Director and Head of Project, implementation of the MHPSS and Protection activities;
• Provide technical guidance on the implementation of protection and MHPSS related activities, ensuring that project deliverables and activities are of high quality;
• Monitor and evaluate all project aspects, including proper identification of beneficiaries, according to protection minimum standards and principles and JERU standards and procedures, with a view to recommending appropriate action for enhanced project implementation and monitoring;
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships and liaisons with local authorities, local partners, international organisations, and other actors linked to the implementation of the project;
• Keep abreast of policies, international standards, and best practices relating to the rights of IDPs, vulnerable populations, and in particular, protection of women and childrens rights;
• Explore possibilities and carry out expanded collaboration with relevant authorities and partners on project-related activities; identify new project possibilities arising from institutional donors;
• Prepare general and specific information on programme activities as requested by the Alliance partners and Concern head office;
• Represent JERU as requested in various cluster and working group meetings;
• Work with protection officers to ensure supervision of activities implemented by the local partners are in line with SoP’s and minimum standards, providing technical guidance where needed;
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned;
• In coordination with head office follow up on the implementation of the Child Safeguarding (CS) and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) policies;
• Ensure adherence to PSEA and Safeguarding Policies.

Your skills and experience will include:

Essential:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in humanitarian assistance, social work, human rights, international law, social studies or another appropriate field; Postgraduate degree preferred.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 7 years’ experience implementing similar programming in emergency or complex emergency settings; of which at least 5 years must be in the field of Protection and MHPSS in an emergency;
• Technical knowledge of protection standard and principles with proven experience of using IASC guidelines for mental health and psychosocial support in emergency settings and minimum standards for Child Protection;
• Proven experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating Protection and MHPSS focused programme in an emergency setting and to a high standard;
• Proven experience of delivering case management for adults and children in emergency settings;
• Proven experience in capacity building of national and international staff in protection programming, standards and principles;
• Proven experience in integrating protection with other sectors such as cash, livelihoods, food security and shelter;
• Demonstrates commitment to gender equality and promotes and integrates gender analysis and mainstreaming into humanitarian programming.

SKILLS:

• Solid knowledge of NGO procedures, approaches and operations;
• Knowledge of project cycle management;
• Ability to produce timely project proposals and high-quality narrative reports;
• Ability to guide and support staff, providing continued technical support and monitoring of protection activities to ensure quality implementation;
• Ability to apply participatory approaches to engaging with and mobilizing communities;
• Experience in remote management and training;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively manage a variety of internal and external relationships, including programme and project staff, national partners and other international organisations.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills;
• High level of IT skills (Office package);
• Fluency in English (written and spoken).

Desirable:

• Prior experience in the Ukraine (ideal) and/or other security-sensitive environments;
• Local language skills.

All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by closing date. CV’s should be no more than 4 pages in length.

Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis and we may offer posts before the closing date.

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries.