Closing date: 15 Jan 2012
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.
Scope: The Protection Cluster Co-lead will work with the designated UNHCR lead to support the management of the Protection Thematic Working Group (PTG) and the Protection Cluster in order to coordinate the humanitarian response to the needs of disaster affected populations in Pakistan. The position will be based in Sindh with frequent travel to the districts and occasional travel to Karachi.
Responsibilities: In coordination with the UNHCR lead, the incumbent will be responsible for the following roles: • Coordinating protection activities and actors within the PTG/Protection Cluster • Identifying, reporting and responding to continuing and arising protection needs for disaster affected populations • Mainstreaming protection across the other Sectoral Working Groups/Clusters • Building the capacity of the Government and other PTG/Protection Cluster members to create a stronger protection environment and to prepare for future disaster responses
Establishment and Maintenance of Appropriate Coordination Structures • In collaboration with the UNHCR and Government co-leads, co-chair the Provincial PTG/Protection Cluster in Karachi, 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 the District Protection Working Groups in close coordination with Child Protection and GBV sub-group/sub-cluster leads • Mobilize resources to respond to priority protection concerns • Represent the protection thematic working group 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 PTG/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 PTG/ 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 PTG sub-groups and sub-clusters, coordinate and facilitate training for PTG/Protection Cluster members, local government authorities and other humanitarian actors • Provide ongoing capacity building and skills exchange with the protection District Working Group Chairs and with their members • 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 PTG/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 • Supervise and work closely with a national counterpart to share skills and build their capacity to co-lead the PTG/Protection Cluster
Representation • Represent the protection working groups/protection cluster at relevant inter-agency, government, donor and other forums, in partnership with the designated UNHCR lead
Requirements • 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 under pressure and good at timely decision making; • Excellent written and spoken English, • Self motivated and excellent observant of protection issues in the country. • Previous experience of working within the cluster system preferred • Proven ability to live and work in an unstable, insecure environment
Specific Security Situation/Housing: The security situation in Pakistan remains fluid and unpredictable. Candidates may expect periods of insecurity, periodic suspensions of, or restrictions in, program operation and/or field travel, and high levels of volatility in the operating environment. The position is based out of Sindh, which currently faces tension but lower levels of insecurity.
This is an unaccompanied post. Candidates can expect to live in shared housing, which is generally of high standard, according to the IRC Pakistan housing policy.
How to apply
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