Protection Assistant – Community Based job at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, 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 Summary:

The overall purpose of the Protection Assistant - Community based protection position is to provide support in strengthening the quality of protection outcomes by catalyzing community actions around the PSNs and promoting community-based protection of Forcibly Displaced and Stateless Persons (FDSPs) through strengthening and working with community-based structures, providing direct support to PSNs, and drawing from synergy with the larger community protection components.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Programming

• Facilitating operation of protection help desks registering complaints and providing timely and appropriate responses to persons of concern registering concerns.
• Strengthening linkages between members of the community, partners and different services providers, breaking barriers to access to services by persons of action.
• Ensure mobilization and creation of protection information in the community so that persons of concern and communities are well-informed and are in position to take precautionary actions against protection risks and make informed decisions.
• Identify gaps in terms of protection and community services and generate ideas to address them with strong impact for the beneficiaries.
• Strengthen capacities of the community-based structures, participate in trainings, mentorship and reflective sessions with structures such as the RWC, CBVs and NHW to achieve optimal performance.
• Participate in PSN profiling and ongoing risk assessment and analysis in order to design adequate responses.
• Ensure quality data collection, analysis and storage in line with the Protection Information Management principles.
• Ensure daily implementation of community-based sub-sector activities as planned, follow given work plans and schedules for service delivery including weekly schedules.
• Ensure a daily monitoring of protection trends in his area of assignment
• Make sure that all Community-Based Protection projects adhere to the standards and or principles of the respective thematic areas as well as DRC guidelines and accountability standards.
• Proactively contributes to quality and timely implementation of community-based sub sector activities as planned
• Facilitate regular community consultations, including focused group discussions (FGDs), with different groups (older persons, men, women and youth) following IRC’s guidance to ensure continuous up-to-date understanding of the community needs and capacities, as well as protection concerns, and changes in the context.
• Conduct protection monitoring and raise protection concerns to the Protection Officer (CBP) to ensure tailored community-based approach. Spontaneously draft and share flash reports on major protection incidents and risks in the area of responsibility
• Identify beneficiaries in need of further support and ensure timely external or internal referral and follow-up (legal aid, case management, shelter, cash & livelihoods).
• Ensure that all CBP comply with best practice and international standards in protection response (including IRC SOPs and AGD policy).
• Contribute to drafting weekly and monthly other reports.

Coordination and representation

• Develop relationships with a range of key stakeholders, Local Government and other stakeholders on the community bases thematic areas at the field level in close liaison with the Protection Officer - Community Based.
• Representation of IRC and active participation in the local Community Based Community Based working groups and any other meeting as requested.
• Close co-ordination in project implementation with partners (UN agencies and national/international NGOs), including referrals, community services gap analysis, advocacy.
• Work closely with the other program components to maximize program output and impact.

Staff development and management

• Provide technical and programmatic leadership for the community-based structures within the operational area.
• Conduct daily field visits to support Community Based Volunteers- mentoring - through technical back stopping and training duty bearers.
• Uphold IRC’s Way and principles on accountability.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Contribute to the daily quality implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects and interventions.
• Identify, document and disseminate relevant project success, challenges and follow up on implementation of project’s action points.
• Assist in participatory needs/vulnerability and capacity assessments of affected communities
• Implement all necessary MEAL tools, including pre- and post-test.
• Produce activity reports as required by Protection Officer (CBP)

Education, Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Relevant university degree (e.g. psychology, social work, pedagogy or education, international development) or equivalent professional qualification.
• Minimum 1 year of relevant work experience in protection in humanitarian setting
• Experience in the delivery of community programs to vulnerable groups
• Understanding of protection principles, protection minimum standards and basic psychosocial support concepts
• Excellent IT skills (Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word and PowerPoint)Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and prioritize the safety and dignity of beneficiaries at all times.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to communicate and write in English.

NB: This advert will close on 7th July 2026

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

• Facilitating operation of protection help desks registering complaints and providing timely and appropriate responses to persons of concern registering concerns.
• Strengthening linkages between members of the community, partners and different services providers, breaking barriers to access to services by persons of action.
• Ensure mobilization and creation of protection information in the community so that persons of concern and communities are well-informed and are in position to take precautionary actions against protection risks and make informed decisions.
• Identify gaps in terms of protection and community services and generate ideas to address them with strong impact for the beneficiaries.
• Strengthen capacities of the community-based structures, participate in trainings, mentorship and reflective sessions with structures such as the RWC, CBVs and NHW to achieve optimal performance.
• Participate in PSN profiling and ongoing risk assessment and analysis in order to design adequate responses.
• Ensure quality data collection, analysis and storage in line with the Protection Information Management principles.
• Ensure daily implementation of community-based sub-sector activities as planned, follow given work plans and schedules for service delivery including weekly schedules.
• Ensure a daily monitoring of protection trends in his area of assignment
• Make sure that all Community-Based Protection projects adhere to the standards and or principles of the respective thematic areas as well as DRC guidelines and accountability standards.
• Proactively contributes to quality and timely implementation of community-based sub sector activities as planned
• Facilitate regular community consultations, including focused group discussions (FGDs), with different groups (older persons, men, women and youth) following IRC’s guidance to ensure continuous up-to-date understanding of the community needs and capacities, as well as protection concerns, and changes in the context.
• Conduct protection monitoring and raise protection concerns to the Protection Officer (CBP) to ensure tailored community-based approach. Spontaneously draft and share flash reports on major protection incidents and risks in the area of responsibility
• Identify beneficiaries in need of further support and ensure timely external or internal referral and follow-up (legal aid, case management, shelter, cash & livelihoods).
• Ensure that all CBP comply with best practice and international standards in protection response (including IRC SOPs and AGD policy).
• Contribute to drafting weekly and monthly other reports.
• Develop relationships with a range of key stakeholders, Local Government and other stakeholders on the community bases thematic areas at the field level in close liaison with the Protection Officer - Community Based.
• Representation of IRC and active participation in the local Community Based Community Based working groups and any other meeting as requested.
• Close co-ordination in project implementation with partners (UN agencies and national/international NGOs), including referrals, community services gap analysis, advocacy.
• Work closely with the other program components to maximize program output and impact.
• Provide technical and programmatic leadership for the community-based structures within the operational area.
• Conduct daily field visits to support Community Based Volunteers- mentoring - through technical back stopping and training duty bearers.
• Uphold IRC’s Way and principles on accountability.
• Contribute to the daily quality implementation, monitoring and evaluation of projects and interventions.
• Identify, document and disseminate relevant project success, challenges and follow up on implementation of project’s action points.
• Assist in participatory needs/vulnerability and capacity assessments of affected communities
• Implement all necessary MEAL tools, including pre- and post-test.
• Produce activity reports as required by Protection Officer (CBP)

• Excellent IT skills (Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word and PowerPoint)
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and prioritize the safety and dignity of beneficiaries at all times.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to communicate and write in English.

• Relevant university degree (e.g. psychology, social work, pedagogy or education, international development) or equivalent professional qualification.
• Understanding of protection principles, protection minimum standards and basic psychosocial support concepts