Poland: Integrated Protection Manager

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 Ukraine crisis could become the worst humanitarian crisis Europe has seen in decades. More than 5.3 million people have fled across borders to seek safety in the 1st month since the escalation of conflict in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and over 6.5 million people are reported to be displaced. Reports indicate almost all arrivals in Poland are women and children, including those that are unaccompanied and separated, as well as older persons.

Between February 7-23, 2022, an IRC team undertook a scoping mission covering Poland and Ukraine to better understand the context, humanitarian and civil society landscape, and anticipated service gaps in the event of an escalation of conflict in Ukraine and consequent displacement into neighboring Poland. As of February 24th, the IRC has pivoted to emergency response, and has identified partner agencies in Ukraine and Poland to facilitate immediate assistance that can be used where it is most needed. Simultaneously, the IRC has established operations across Ukraine and Poland offering a robust humanitarian response to complement partner response services either in breadth or scale.

Poland is hosting the largest number of refugees from Ukraine; more than 1.5 mil. have registered for Temporary Protection (70% females and 40% children)1. In the second year of the crisis, more refugees are expected in Poland as the frontlines change and Russia intensifies attacks. The new arrivals are expected to be more vulnerable with increased protection concerns and basic needs. As the needs continue to evolve, the IRC proactively adapts its programming to the context to ensure efficient delivery of assistance. The IRC Poland currently provides Protection, cash, education, and livelihood support to the affected population in Poland.

Job Overview/Summary:

Integrated Protection Managerwill be responsible for the overall management, supervision, implementation, technical mentorship, and quality of a robust WPE (Women’s Protection and Empowerment) and CP (Child Protection) programme, including the WGSS (Women’s and Girls’ Safe Space) and the SHLS (Safe and Healing Learning Spaces). Flexibility and openness to undertake other tasks will be required.

Major Responsibilities:

Specific Responsibilities: 

• Provide guidance and support in the planning and implementation of all activities related to WPE and Child Protection in Katowice.
• Oversee the implementation of IRC’s WPE and CP programming in Katowice to ensure it meets the Global standards and aligns to the country program strategy.
• Lead in the development and implementation of quality psychosocial interventions at the safe spaces that promote coping, resilience and strengthen supportive networks among women and children.
• Ensure safe and ethical data collection for both GBV (Gender-Based Violence) and CP through the utilization of GBV and CP information management systems, respectively.
• Lead GBV and CP assessments to identify trends, risks and service gaps to inform responsive programming.
• Supervise, mentor, and build the capacity of the WGSS facilitators, the GBV caseworker, the SHLS facilitators, and the CP caseworker.
• Support the implementation of survivor-centered case management services that promote safety, confidentiality, non-discrimination and respect the rights and wishes of adult clients.
• Participate in interpretation of the analyzed data on trends and work with the Senior WPE Manager and the Senior Child Protection Manager to disseminate information to all relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in preparation of all relevant reports regarding the IRC’s psychosocial activities.
• Follow GBV and CP guiding principles of respect, confidentiality, and safety/security and non- discrimination while providing services to women and girls.
• Contribute to the development of annual program work plans, spending and procurement plans and ensure implementation of work plans aligns to project timelines.
• Establish internal and external synergies between IRC sectors (WPE, CP, and ERD -Economic Recovery and Development-) and with other partners including the Government to ensure clients have holistic access to services and support availed by the respective providers.

HR: 

• Assist with recruitment for staff that will work for the WGSS, CFS and Case Management
• Supervise, and provide performance management feedback to the Community Centres team.
• Identify and communicate capacity building needs for overall program implementation.

Coordination:

• Collaborate with other stakeholders to ensure an effective and smooth field-level coordination.
• Identify strategic partnerships and implement activities in collaboration with other service providers.
• Closely coordinate with the WGSS and SHLS staff on trends, community dynamics, community acceptance, to modify activities and material accordingly.
• Build and maintain relationships with partners, government institutions, other stakeholders to strengthen effective coordination of services and collaboration.
• Actively represent IRC in the GBV and CP sub-working groups and any relevant coordination meetings within Katowice.

Other Duties:

• Ensure supplies/resources for counseling spaces and other program activities are requested on a timely manner and are efficiently utilized.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Integrated Protection Coordinator.
• Dotted line to: Senior WPE Manager and Senior CP Manager.
• Other Internal and/or external contacts:
  • Internal: Regular relationships with IRC WPE, Child Protection, Protection Monitoring, and Livelihoods teams.
  • External: Collaboration with IRC partners and donors including other non-governmental organizations, inter-agency group.

Qualifications: 

Requirements - Education:

• Diploma in social work, counseling and/or psychology. A Social Science or related degree is preferred.

Requirements – Previous Experience:

• 2-3 years’ experience in working in Protection Programming, especially GBV and/or Child Protection.
• At least one year of experience mentoring and supervising a team providing direct services to clients /or working at the community level.
• Demonstrated experience in starting-up new programming and facilitating trainings.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with refugees.
• Demonstrate understanding of survivor-centered approach.

Requirements – Skills, Knowledge, and Interests:

• In-depth knowledge of GBV and responding to GBV in emergency settings.
• In-depth knowledge of CP and using Best Interest Determination procedures.
• Excellent listening and observation skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s empowerment.
• Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and be able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Demonstrates ability and commitment toward diversity and inclusion.
• Commitment toward a healthy and supportive working environment.
• Personal qualities: good listener, team player, flexible, network-builder, able to handle pressure well and work in cross-cultural setting.
• Communication skills, with good understanding of relevant cross-cultural and sensitive issues.
• Flexibility and openness to undertake other tasks.

Requirements – Language Skills:

• Fluency in Ukrainian and English.
• Polish and Russian language skills are an asset.

Requirements – Compliance:

• Strict adherence to humanitarian, protection, CP, and GBV principles and standards, as well as organizational policies including Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients at all times is essential.

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and makes sure policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Gender Equality: The IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: At the IRC, our diverse clients, partners, and staff have the power, voice, and agency to shape programs and operations. We actively work to end all forms of systemic discrimination and foster an inclusive working environment where everyone feels respected, heard, valued, and supported. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. The IRC encourages women to apply and work with us to reach the people most in need of humanitarian assistance, such as women, widows, and children. The IRC is committed to providing a decent and safe work environment that considers needs of women in the workplace, including through maternity leave and safety protocols.

How to Apply: 

To apply, please use the link provided  here: https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/46776?c=rescue