Snr Protection Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is an international, non-governmental organization
(INGO) that responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and
livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives.
Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from
war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who
remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries, we improve
outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education, and power.

In oPT, the IRC began planning to reopen an oPt country program in mid-2022 and launched an
emergency response in Gaza in October 2023. Since then, the organization has been supporting a
network of local partners in both Gaza and the West Bank to sustain critical health, protection,
food security, cash, education, and early childhood development interventions. Together with its
partners, the IRC is also deploying emergency medical teams to provide surge clinical capacity in
hospitals and other health facilities. Currently, the IRC is scaling up its direct program
implementation in Gaza in protection, with a particular focus on child protection programming.

SCOPE OF WORK:
Under the direct supervision and in close collaboration with the Emergency Child Protection
Coordinator, the Sn Protection Officer will support the Emergency CP Coordinator with the
development and start-up of IRC’s Protection Response in Gaza, with a particular focus on child
protection targeting unaccompanied and separated children and other children at risk of or
experiencing violence, neglect, abuse and exploitation, while also exploring women’s protection
and empowerment / GBV-related programming.

OBJECTIVES OF ROLE:
Under the direct supervision and in close collaboration with the Emergency Child Protection
Coordinator:
• Support the Emergency CP Coordinator with the development and start-up of IRC’s
Protection Response in Gaza, with a particular focus on child protection programming
targeting unaccompanied and separated children and children at risk of or experiencing
violence, neglect, abuse and exploitation.
• Support the Emergency CP Coordinator to map community structures and networks of
community volunteers to gain an understanding of entry points for service provision, via
direct support from IRC or with partners
• Support the Emergency CP Coordinator to do a rapid scoping of services and systems to care
for children and families, with a focus on camps, informal settlements, and emergency
shelters prioritized by IRC- supported health interventions.
• Support the set-up of a community service tent / “safe space”, providing the entry point for
IRC’s protection programming in Deir-Al-Balah, in close collaboration with the Emergency CP
Coordinator and IRC staff on the ground in Gaza.
• Support with the development of procurement requests to start up child protection and
women’s protection and empowerment programming.
• Promote the community service tent and set-up a timetable for the organization of
protection activities.
• Identify, train, and supervise and support community volunteers to facilitate CP activities in
the community service tent.
• Identify, train, supervise and support community outreach volunteers to start CP
programming in communities and provide targeted support and care for UASC
• Support the set-up and mechanisms for proper reporting, monitoring and evaluation of
activities
• Stay informed about the protection, particularly child protection situation and developments
within the communities and surrounding areas.
• Attend trainings organized by the IRC.
• Organize meetings and field visits of relevant actors / stakeholders.
• Provide translation and interpretation at meetings, visits and/or documents.
• Promote and adhere to the principles, objectives and code of conduct of the IRC.
• Act both professionally and personally in a manner that brings credit to the IRC and does not
compromise its humanitarian mission.
• Work together with the other IRC departments, including nutrition / health / WASH /ECD, as
well as supply, operations, safety and security and other relevant sectors.
• Conduct any other task requested by the Emergency CP Coordinator to enable, develop and
support the quick start-up of IRC’s protection programs in Gaza.

SPECIFIC TASKS AND DELIVERABLES:
• Supported with the development and start-up of IRC’s Protection Response in Gaza, with a
particular focus on child protection programming targeting unaccompanied and separated
children and children at risk of or experiencing violence, neglect, abuse and exploitation.
• Supported with the scoping of services and systems caring for children and caregivers, the
mapping of community volunteers / networks to start-up programming
• Identified community volunteers / networks to start-up CP programming.
• Provided inputs to develop procurement requests.
• Organized meetings and field visits of relevant actors / stakeholders.
• Attended relevant trainings organized / facilitated by IRC.
• Supported with any other request as requested by the Emergency CP Coordinator.

PAYMENT RATE:
Will be discussed with the consultant.

REQUIREMENTS:
• BA or equivalent in Social Work, Psychology, Education, Human Rights, Social Science,
Humanities or other related field. MA preferred.
• At least 3-4 years’ experience in implementing protection, particularly child protection
programs, in humanitarian or development settings.
• Demonstrated understanding of working with children, particularly vulnerable children and
children at-risk of violence, exploitation abuse or neglect as well as children who have been
affected by conflict, disasters or other humanitarian crises.
• Previous experience of working with unaccompanied and separated children is of great
advantage.
• Good knowledge of the local communities and context in Gaza, including community-based
organizations, community volunteers and local NGOs, working in the field protection,
particularly child protection
• Ability to multi-task, attention to detail, and a strong sense of personal integrity.
• Ability to work independently and problem-solving abilities.
• Willingness to work and put in extra hours in emergency situations.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Fluent in English and Arabic