Protection Cluster Co-Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. Founded in 1946, NRC has grown to operate in over 30 countries, employing thousands of staff members dedicated to providing high-quality aid and advocating for the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC's mission is to help those in need by providing essential services such as education, shelter, water, sanitation, and protection from violence. The organization is committed to a principled humanitarian approach, ensuring that its operations are guided by the core humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. NRC has been operational in Mali since 2013, with offices in Gao, Menaka, Mopti, and Tombouctou, and continues to play a crucial role in addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Job Overview:
The Protection Cluster Co-Coordinator position is critical in ensuring effective coordination of the National Protection Cluster in Mali. The successful candidate will work closely with the UNHCR Coordinator and other protection actors to develop and implement strategies that address the humanitarian needs of vulnerable populations. This role involves representing the cluster in key forums, shaping country-level strategies, and overseeing humanitarian funding processes. The Co-Coordinator will also be responsible for establishing strong Protection Information Management systems to facilitate effective information sharing and analysis, guiding field humanitarian actors on response coordination, and ensuring that protection concerns are prioritized in humanitarian responses. The position requires a proactive approach to galvanizing stakeholders' involvement in designing a coordination architecture that emphasizes the centrality of protection in all humanitarian efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Protection Cluster Co-Coordinator include facilitating and contributing to needs assessments and analysis for the Protection Cluster, ensuring that strategic and contingency plans align with cluster objectives. The Co-Coordinator will establish monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track the progress of Protection Cluster activities, ensuring that cluster analysis is reflected in humanitarian strategies. They will also be responsible for fundraising for priority needs, developing internal strategic action plans, conducting field missions to strengthen links between national and field-level clusters, and enhancing information exchange on protection concerns. Additionally, the Co-Coordinator will develop and promote protection tools and guidance, support the establishment of Protection Information Management systems, identify key advocacy concerns, liaise with donors for resource mobilization, and encourage NGO participation in cluster decision-making processes. The role also involves implementing grant funding for the co-coordination function in accordance with NRC's mandatory procedures.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, political sciences, or a related field. A minimum of five years of experience working on protection-related issues in humanitarian emergencies is required, including inter-agency work and providing technical advice to field teams. Previous experience in the protection sector and active involvement in the coordination architecture of the protection cluster is essential. Candidates should have a strong understanding of protection issues in emergency situations, knowledge of humanitarian principles and international legal frameworks, and experience in humanitarian coordination and funding mechanisms. Strong leadership, coordination, analytical, planning, and drafting skills are necessary, along with excellent advocacy and representation abilities. Proficiency in both French and English is required, and previous experience in Mali is an advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a postgraduate degree in international law, political sciences, or a related field. This advanced education is essential to ensure that the candidate has a comprehensive understanding of the legal and political frameworks that govern humanitarian action and protection issues.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in protection-related roles within humanitarian emergencies. This experience should include inter-agency collaboration and the provision of technical advice to field teams. Candidates with previous experience in cluster coordination and a demonstrated ability to work in challenging environments will be preferred.

Languages:
Proficiency in both French and English is mandatory for this position. Strong communication skills in these languages are essential for effective advocacy, representation, and coordination with various stakeholders. Knowledge of additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Bamako, Mali, with a contract duration of 12 months, renewable based on funding availability. The salary is classified as grade 8 on NRC’s salary scale. NRC is committed to diversity and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all employees regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or physical ability. The organization fosters a supportive culture that encourages professional growth and innovative thinking. Employees are expected to uphold NRC's safeguarding principles, ensuring a safe environment for all and reporting any incidents of exploitation or harassment.