Background/IRC Summary:

 The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic well-being, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview/Summary:

Community-based protection Officer oversees the day-to-day implementation of IRC’s Community-based protection interventions in Jazret Elbuhameed, through community dialogues, and social activities and the establishment of community-based committees for conflict resolution, negotiations, and mediation to promote peaceful coexistence and social cohesion.  He/she ensures the meaningful participation of IDPs and Host communities in all aspects of community-based protection response by IRC. This includes ensuring effective community mobilization, enhancing community-based protection and promoting community development activities in line with set guidelines and standards and with due attention to the engagement or inclusion of persons with specific needs. He/she will provide day-to-day direct supervision to community-based protection mobilizers and community committees volunteers and ensure that close collaboration is maintained with staff involved in direct implementation of IRC’s programs. He/she will be responsible for providing direct support for the implementation of the protection outreach program.  This will include capacity building and day-to-day supervision and support to the community engagement volunteers.  The Community Engagement Officer will also coordinate the activities of the community engagement volunteers as well as the PSN focal points in the protection committees, providing information materials and holding meetings.

Major Responsibilities:

• Recruit, manage, coach, and supervise the community-based protection committees.
• Conduct assessments to identify community needs, vulnerabilities, and sources of conflict. Analyze the local context to understand the dynamics of peace and conflict.
• Participated in Designing, implementing, and monitoring programs aimed at promoting community cohesion, resolving conflicts, and enhancing peacebuilding efforts. This may include workshops, community dialogues, and training sessions.
• Engage with local stakeholders, including community leaders, local authorities, NGOs, and affected populations, to foster collaboration and support for peacebuilding initiatives.
• Facilitate dialogue and mediation processes among conflicting parties to promote understanding and reconciliation. Act as a neutral facilitator to help parties find common ground.
• Train and empower community members and leaders, as well as the committees in conflict resolution techniques, peacebuilding skills, and community engagement strategies.
• Participated in establishing monitoring systems to evaluate the effectiveness of peacebuilding initiatives and community protection mechanisms. Collect and analyze feedback to adjust programs as needed.
• Raise awareness about the importance of community cohesion and non-violent conflict resolution. Advocate for policies and interventions that support peaceful coexistence.
• Prepare reports on community dynamics, conflict situations, and the impact of interventions. Document lessons learned to contribute to organizational knowledge and future program development.
• Collaborate with other sectors such as health, child protection, Women empowerment and development, and livelihoods to ensure a holistic approach to community protection and development.
• Coordinate closely with the Legal Snr Officer and Protection officers to make sure the community committees are provided with updated information about available services to IDPs and, host community, and returnees;
• Act as a focal point for receiving and following up on referrals identified by the protection community committees’ focal points.
• Perform other duties, as needed or requested by the supervisor.
• work with and raise the capacity of the local partner.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in social work, international relations, human rights, community development, or any other related university degree.

Work Experience:

• 2-4 years  experience in community engagement, social cohesion, conflict resolution, community-based protection, protection activities, or humanitarian work.
• Experience in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, or mediation processes is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with the local context and community dynamics.
• Belief in human rights including gender equality.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Strong management and organizational skills.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong communication, negotiation and persuasion skills
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently.
• Flexible and able to work in a dynamic and diverse environment.
• Experience in regular report writing.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently.
• Flexible and able to work in a dynamic and diverse environment.
• Must be computer literate (Microsoft Word and Excel).

Language Skills: 

• English and Arabic are required.
• Travel: If requested

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Protection and Rule of Law Manager
• Position directly supervises:Community-based Protection Mobilizer
• Indirect Reporting: NA
• Other Internal and/or external contacts:
• Internal: Protection Officers, Legal Snr. Officer, WPE, and CP teams, ERD team.  
• External: INGOs, local actors

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Gender Equality: 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 IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.