Protection Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization that responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Established in 1933, the IRC has a mission to help people affected by conflict and disaster to recover and regain control of their future. The organization operates in over 40 countries and has a workforce of more than 14,000 employees. The IRC is committed to providing assistance to those in need, advocating for their rights, and ensuring that they have access to essential services and support. The IRC's work is guided by its core values of integrity, service, equality, and accountability, and it strives to create a diverse and inclusive work environment that respects the dignity of all individuals.

Job Overview:
The Protection Coordinator position at IRC Ukraine is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing a complex multi-donor, multi-year Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) portfolio. This portfolio includes access to justice, protection monitoring, information services, psychosocial services, and case management. The ideal candidate will possess practical experience in emergency contexts, strong diplomacy, coordination, and networking skills, and a solutions-oriented mindset. The Protection Coordinator will ensure the quality and timely implementation of all aspects of the PRoL portfolio, providing strategic direction and cohesion across programs. This role requires collaboration with IRC staff and key partners to ensure interventions are context-appropriate and aligned with national systems and international standards. The Protection Coordinator will also play a critical role in programmatic direction, strategy development, donor engagement, and project design, ensuring that the PRoL portfolio aligns with IRC’s global and regional strategies while meeting donor expectations. The position demands substantial fieldwork, including training and mentoring field teams, and capacity building for IRC staff and partners to empower them in PRoL programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Coordinator will lead the management of a complex, multi-donor, multi-year PRoL portfolio, ensuring effective delivery through IRC and partner organizations. Key responsibilities include setting clear objectives and priorities for the PRoL portfolio, coordinating and integrating PRoL activities across various sectors, developing comprehensive programmatic frameworks, supporting monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, engaging with donors and stakeholders, and facilitating capacity-building opportunities. The Coordinator will uphold the highest standards of technical quality throughout the project management cycle, develop evidence-based project designs, facilitate participatory planning processes, provide ongoing technical support to field teams, conduct regular field visits, and document lessons learned. Additionally, the Coordinator will take a lead role in program development, project design, and proposal writing, ensuring alignment with IRC’s strategic goals and donor priorities. They will represent IRC in national forums, establish effective relationships with stakeholders, and identify and develop partnerships to enhance PRoL services in Ukraine. Staff supervision and development are also critical, including mentoring team members, conducting performance reviews, and facilitating training opportunities.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Protection Coordinator position should possess a post-graduate degree in international law, human rights law, international relations, social sciences, or a related field, or equivalent work experience. A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior management and leadership position managing large-scale, multi-donor, multi-million-dollar programming is required. The candidate should have a proven record of technical expertise in programming related to access to justice, case management, psychosocial support, information services, and protection monitoring. Previous experience in implementing humanitarian protection programs is essential, along with demonstrated ability in strategic planning, change processes, results-based management, and data-driven reporting. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as excellent analysis and writing skills, are necessary. The candidate should also have familiarity with key donor regulations and experience in working with UN agencies, donors, and NGOs.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a post-graduate degree in relevant fields such as international law, human rights law, international relations, social sciences, or equivalent work experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of protection and rule of law issues in humanitarian contexts.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of experience in senior management and leadership roles, specifically managing large-scale portfolios of multi-donor, multi-million-dollar, multi-year programming. Candidates should have a proven track record in technical expertise related to protection programming and experience in implementing humanitarian protection programs.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English and Ukrainian is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position will be based in any of the IRC Field sites in Ukraine, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa, with travel for monitoring and coordination purposes as necessary. The IRC is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. The organization values diversity and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. The IRC also emphasizes the importance of safeguarding and creating a safe environment for all staff and clients.