Overview
The Protection Program Manager has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of the protection sector projects and is the direct manager for protection sectoral staff at the Area level. The role is responsible for leading the management of protection projects throughout the project cycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and oversee implementation of all protection projects in the area.
- Develop, coordinate, plan, implement, and quality assure DRC’s protection activities and services.
- Write internal and external reports about protection activities and projects.
- Provide technical support, supervision and guidance to protection team members.
- Provide capacity building and on-the-job coaching.
- Develop and roll out protection tools and Standard Operating procedures.
- Manage and provide direction to and monitor protection staff.
- Undertake recruitment, onboarding, and appraisal of protection staff.
- Set clear work plans and objectives for protection teams.
- Contribute to the strategic direction of the protection sector.
- Contribute to the development of proposals, budgets, and concept notes.
- Ensure quality assurance of protection activities.
- Ensure Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) is mainstreamed.
- Ensure appropriate collection of data of the projects, activities and contexts.
- Support protection needs assessments, analyses, monitoring, periodic reports and other protection-related quality documents.
- Responsible for budget management, including monitoring, forecasting, and performing budget holder responsibilities.
- Ensure effective coordination and collaboration with other DRC sectors.
- Represent DRC in relevant protection interagency coordination.
- Liaise, coordinate, and foster professional relationships with relevant stakeholders.
- Actively engage and contribute to DRC protection-related advocacy efforts.
- Promote integrated programming and ensure internal coordination and harmonisation of DRC protection approach.
- Liaise with projects’ donor when necessary to support fundraising efforts.
- Actively contribute to new viable partnerships for the Protection sector.
- Keep abreast of protection activities implemented by other organizations.
- Contribute to the technical strategy with emphasis on needs of the affected communities, expansion to relevant sectors, and programme integration.
- Support the Protection Coordinator and Area Manager on creating the Protection Strategy.
Required Experience
- A minimum of 5 years of proven protection experience and management of protection programmes or projects.
- Experience working with local partners, local authorities and other INGOs within a consortium.
- Previous professional experience in West and Central Africa.
- Knowledge of International Refugee Law, International Human Rights Law, and International Humanitarian Law.
- Knowledge and experience designing, implementing and monitoring and evaluation of protection activities within two or more of DRC’s Protection sector components: Community Based Protection, Gender-Based Violence, Child Protection, Protection Information Management, Community-Based Violence Protection, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and/or Legal Aid.
- Proven experience in capacity building, including preparation and delivery of materials and mentoring of staff.
- Strong cultural sensitivity and experience working with people from various backgrounds.
- Demonstrated experience in team management, including previous experience in the direct line management of staff.
- Solid experience in project cycle management, including proposal writing, budget management and donor reporting.
- Very good knowledge of humanitarian principles.
- Sound understanding and experience in protection mainstreaming and Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) mainstreaming, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
- Demonstrated ability to think strategically, plan and manage own time effectively, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to adapt the work focus based on the needs and oversee the projects implementation in different field locations concurrently.
- Strong work ethic, collaborative mindset and ability to take responsibility for own actions.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills.
- Ability to cope with heavy workloads and work under pressure.
- Highly motivated, results-oriented and creative problem solver.
- Good understanding of and commitment to DRC values.
Qualifications
• Master's degree in social sciences, human rights, intervention development, gender/protection studies or other relevant field
