Protection Coordinator (Rule of Law)

Job Overview

IRC Ukraine is currently looking for a strategic and versatile leader to oversee and manage a complex multi-donor, multi-year Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) portfolio composed of access to justice, protection monitoring, information services, psychosocial services, and case management They has practical experience in emergencies context; strong diplomacy, coordination and networking skills; solutions oriented and pragmatic with the capacity to solve problems efficiently; and previous change management experience preferred. They have strong leadership abilities to create an environment that cultivates innovative thinking and new approaches firmly anchored in the realities of the local context and aligned to national systems.

The Protection Coordinator will work to oversee the quality and timely implementation of all aspects of the ProL portfolio, providing cohesion and strategic direction. They will work closely with IRC staff and key partners ensuring the interventions are context appropriate, leverage cross-programmer synergies and complementarities and align to national systems and international standards.

One of the key responsibilities of the Protection Coordinator is to ensure technical quality and provide strategic leadership across the entire project management cycle—from design and planning to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Additionally, the Protection Coordinator will play a critical role in setting the overall programmatic direction, strategy development, donor and external engagement, as well as program and project design. The Protection Coordinator will be responsible for shaping the PRoL portfolio to ensure alignment with IRC’s global and regional strategies and meeting donor expectations.

The Protection Coordinator is also responsible for ensuring integrated programming across different sectors of IRC’s operations in Ukraine. The Protection Coordinator will work closely with other sector leads to develop multi-sectoral interventions that enhance the overall effectiveness and impact of PRoL activities, ensuring synergy and cohesion across programs.

The Protection Coordinator will be expected to spend substantial time in field locations, training, mentoring, and supporting field teams. The Protection Coordinator will play a key role in capacity building for both IRC field staff and partners, empowering them to take ownership of PRoL programming under the decentralization plan. This includes ensuring the quality of field-level implementation while working collaboratively with technical teams to maintain IRC’s PRoL standards.

Key responsibilities include programmatic resource development, advocacy related to IRC’s PRoL response, and providing strategic direction for PRoL activities. The Protection Coordinator will also offer technical guidance and mentoring to partners to enhance their capacity to deliver high-quality PRoL services.

Furthermore, the Protection Coordinator will be responsible for the systematic use of research, data, and evidence to inform decision-making, design interventions, and assess the effectiveness of programs, ensuring that ensures that interventions are grounded in solid empirical evidence aiming to improve outcomes and accountability. This includes leading initiatives for research and impact evaluations to assess and enhance the effectiveness of PRoL interventions.

This position will be based in any of the IRC Field sites – Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, with travel for monitoring and coordination purposes as necessary.

1. Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Program Management:

Lead the management of a complex, multi-donor, multi-year PRoL (PRoL) portfolio that includes case management, psychosocial support, and PRoL risk reduction activities. Ensure the effective delivery of these programs through IRC and partner organizations by:

• Setting clear objectives and priorities for the PRoL portfolio in alignment with IRC’s global and regional strategies.
• Coordinating and integrating PRoL activities across various sectors to enhance program synergies and effectiveness.
• Developing comprehensive programmatic frameworks that guide the implementation of PRoL initiatives, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of populations affected by crisis.
• Supporting MEAL team in establishing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess program impact, gather insights, and inform decision-making.
• Engaging with donors and stakeholders to secure funding, provide program updates, and demonstrate accountability while aligning with their expectations and requirements.
• Facilitating capacity-building opportunities for staff and partners to enhance the quality and sustainability of PRoL interventions.
• Regularly reviewing and adapting program strategies in response to evolving needs, contexts, and best practices in PRoL.

Technical Quality Assurance

Uphold the highest standards of technical quality throughout all stages of the project management cycle, from design and planning to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, by:

• Developing and implementing robust project designs that are evidence-based, contextually relevant, and aligned with best practices in PRoL.
• Facilitating participatory planning processes that involve key stakeholders, including affected communities, and community members, to ensure interventions are responsive to their needs.
• In collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team, establishing clear performance indicators and outcomes for all PRoL activities, ensuring they align with IRC’s standards and donor expectations.
• Providing ongoing technical support and strategic guidance to field teams to enhance the quality of program implementation, addressing challenges as they arise.
• Conducting regular field visits to monitor program delivery, gather feedback, and identify opportunities for improvement in service provision.
• Leading/supporting capacity-building initiatives for staff and partners in areas such as monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and data management to ensure effective tracking of program performance and impact.
• Collect, compile, and revise internal and external reports for the PRoL sector, ensuring timely submission to donors. Collaborate with the Grants Team to ensure the quality of external reports, maintaining consistency and accuracy in messaging to effectively communicate IRC’s impact and outcomes in PRoL initiatives.
• Analyzing data and feedback collected during monitoring and evaluation processes to inform adaptive management, facilitating timely adjustments to strategies and interventions.
• Documenting lessons learned and best practices from program implementation, sharing insights across the organization to foster continuous learning and improvement in PRoL programming.

Program Development, Proposal Design and Integrated Programming:

Take a lead role in program development, project design, and proposal writing to secure funding and support for PRoL initiatives by:

• Collaborating with key stakeholders, including field staff, technical teams, and partners, to identify emerging needs and opportunities for PRoL programming that align with IRC's strategic goals.
• Leading the design of innovative and evidence-based project proposals that address the specific needs of affected populations, ensuring alignment with IRC’s global and regional strategies as well as donor priorities.
• Conducting comprehensive analyses of the PRoL landscape in Ukraine, including risk assessments and stakeholder mapping, to inform project design and ensure relevance to the local context.
• Ensuring that proposals incorporate robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, clearly outlining how success will be measured and reported in line with donor expectations.
• Fostering collaboration across different sectors of IRC’s operations in Ukraine by actively engaging with sector leads to develop multi-sectoral interventions that enhance the effectiveness and impact of PRoL activities.
• Promoting synergy across programs by integrating PRoL considerations into broader humanitarian efforts, ensuring that interventions are holistic and address the multifaceted challenges faced by vulnerable individuals and communities.
• Building strong relationships with donors, participating in funding discussions, and presenting programmatic needs and achievements to secure support for PRoL initiatives.
• Reviewing and refining proposal drafts, ensuring clarity, coherence, and adherence to IRC’s quality standards and donor guidelines before submission.

Coordination, Stakeholder Engagement, and Advocacy:

• Represent IRC in national forums to promote PRoL issues, enhancing visibility and support for IRC’s programs.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with national authorities, NGOs, and international agencies to foster collaboration and enhance coordination on PRoL efforts.
• Facilitate joint initiatives and information-sharing among stakeholders to develop coordinated strategies that address PRoL challenges and maximize program impact.
• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, and international and local NGOs.
• Ensure national-level concerns and challenges are communicated to relevant stakeholders to advocate for standards and procedures that enhance coordination in PRoL programming.

Partnerships:

• Identify and develop partnerships with local and international implementing partners to enhance PRoL services in Ukraine, ensuring alignment with IRC’s PEERS standards for equal and effective partnerships to create sustainable and impactful programs addressing the unique needs of clients
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify key actors in the PRoL sector, including government agencies, NGOs, community organizations, and private sector stakeholders, clarifying roles, responsibilities, and opportunities for collaboration, ensuring a coordinated response to PRoL challenges.
• Strengthen partnerships with relevant national and local organizations, including child welfare agencies and community-based groups, to foster a coordinated response to PRoL challenges, enhancing the effectiveness and reach of IRC’s PRoL initiatives, ensuring vulnerable clients receive comprehensive support.
• Engage in continuous dialogue with partners to share best practices, resources, and lessons learned, fostering an environment of mutual learning and collaboration to improve the quality of PRoL services and promote innovative solutions tailored to the specific context of Ukraine.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Maintain open and professional relationships with team members, fostering a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to excel in their roles.
• Provide technical guidance, on-the-job mentoring, and coaching for team members, including people/technical managers, to enhance their leadership and programmatic skills.
• Directly supervise the Senior PRoL Manager, conducting regular performance reviews and providing constructive feedback to support their development.
• Collaborate with HR and central/field teams to assist in the recruitment of PRoL staff, ensuring the team is equipped with the necessary skills and experience.
• Facilitate training and continuous capacity-building opportunities for staff, emphasizing both technical and project management skills to empower them in their roles and enhance overall program effectiveness.
• Spend substantial time in field locations to train, mentor, and support field teams. Empower IRC staff and partners to take ownership of PRoL programming, ensuring the quality of field-level implementation while maintaining adherence to IRC’s PRoL standards.
• Actively contribute to the decentralization plan by empowering field teams to take ownership of PRoL programming. Provide targeted training and resources to ensure that staff in field locations are equipped to implement PRoL initiatives effectively, aligning local efforts with IRC's standards and strategies.
• Work closely with the HR department to implement effective performance management systems, ensuring that staff performance aligns with organizational goals. Participate in regular performance appraisal processes, provide input on staff evaluations, and collaborate on developing strategies for staff development, promotion, and retention.
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection at team level to strengthen safeguarding, wellbeing and duty of care, and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
• Lead by example and support IRC’s commitment to taking all necessary preventive measures and creating an environment where people feel safe and can report misconduct.
• Model accountability and commitment to safeguarding all staff, partners, clients and others the IRC works with to build a culture of prevention of safeguarding violations in our workplace and our programs.
• Model accountability and commitment to wellbeing of all staff, partners, clients and others the IRC works with to build a culture of duty of care in our workplace and our programs.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Position reports to: Deputy Director of Programs

Direct reporting: Protection Senior Manager (Rule of Law), Protection Senior Manager - Analysis and Reporting (Rule of Law), Primero System Administrator (Rule of Law), Protection Manager - Legal Affairs (Rule of Law), Protection Senior Manager - Analysis and Reporting (Rule of Law)

**Other internal contacts:**Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) Coordinator, Child Protection (CP) Coordinator, other Technical Coordinators (including Health, Economic Recovery and Development, MEAL, Grants, Partnerships) PRoL Technical Advisor, Field Coordinators

1. Requirements

The PRoL Coordinator will need to meet the requirements below:

• Post-graduate degree desired in international law, human rights law, international relations, social sciences, or other related field, or equivalent work experience.
• At least 5 years’ experience in seni...