Senior Protection Officer

JOB TITLE:  Senior Protection Officer DIVISION / DEPARTMENT / LOCATION: Zahle, Bekaa, Lebanon JOB FAMILY:  Programme technical SALARY:  23250 – 34000 USD per annum LEVEL:  D1   OXFAM PURPOSE: To work with others to overcome poverty and suffering    TEAM PURPOSE: Oxfam in Lebanon works at local, national and international levels to improve the protection of civilian population in situation of insecurity and displacement. The protection officer will be part of Oxfam’s efforts to bring about improvements to the safety of civilians population in Lebanon, as well as local and national change in the protection framework applied to refugees and to civilian population.   JOB PURPOSE:  To manage and provide technical support to the project team in the implementation of the protection component of the ECHO project in Bekaa. The role will combine management and coordination with partners in the field in implementation of gender-sensitive community-level protection activities, including monitoring and evaluation of programme activities, as well as support to protection research and advocacy activities on protection issues. The senior officer will ensure liaison and coordination of the partner’s work with the overall ECHO funded project, and with the rest of the protection work in Lebanon. In addition, the officer will be responsible for the team through daily management, activities and budget planning, monitoring and evaluation activities, donor reporting and will assist in responding to capacity building needs in collaboration with other protection programme staff.   REPORTING LINES: Post holder reports to:  ECHO Project Manager Matrix management/technical overview: Protection Adviser Staff reporting to this post: Protection officers and protection assistants   BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY:  No direct budget holder responsibility but contribute to budget planning and monitoring.     DIMENSIONS: Work pattern is often routine. Required to make sound judgements regularly within agreed processes using technical knowledge, a good understanding of the team and the facilities of the team. Communication largely with internal staff, also with some external contacts / target audiences to support operational work. Provides support to the work of partners and non-protection staff in area of own specialism. Analysis and internal communication of the locally relevant context to inform appropriate planning, and to develop a shared analysis of local issues, contacts and key players. Ensures the effective planning and delivery of projects, including working with partners, and is responsible for weekly, monthly and project activity planning and reporting Required to solve problems and to make sound judgements regularly within agreed processes using technical knowledge, a good understanding of the team and of the projects’ requirements. Contributing to project/ programme budget planning and monitoring, and to report writing and revision. Representation and negotiation in field protection working group and other relevant inter-agency coordination groups, as well as coordination with local authorities in municipalities and Ministries’ representatives Liaising with field offices of humanitarian agencies for coordination and to organise joint activities Makes complex technical information accessible and useable by non-specialist within a defined area Strong technical understanding and mentoring skills Strong interpersonal skills including good team work   KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: Project implementation and management Under the supervision of the ECHO PM, and together with project team members, develop and regularly monitor work plans and spending plans for project implementation that ensure project proposals are implemented properly in line with donor requirements and sector standards Prepare, implement and accompany all field activities, with particular focus on community mobilisation and formation and capacity development of community groups and mobilisers Manage  protection officers and assistants in field activities: community mobilisation, delivery of information about services and entitlements, training and capacity development of community members on technical knowledge, MEAL activities, local –level advocacy and monitoring protection issues affecting target population. Contribute to project design and proposal development, as well as to donor reports, protection analysis reports, monitoring activities and other internal reporting. Responsible to ensure the quality and compliance with sector and Oxfam standards in the implementation of the protection components of the project Coordinate the work of Oxfam teams and partners for project activities targeting same areas and communities, ensuring the overall direction and objectives of the project are maintained, and that activities are delivered in line with project timelines and standards Coordinate with project manager and Protection coordinator for the design and implementation of all MEAL activities together with partners for all stages (baseline survey, learning, project indicators monitoring, and other relevant monitoring activities), and ensure learning is captured and recorded in written format and consequently programme activities are adapted accordingly Together with the team, ensure regular contact with the beneficiaries is maintained in target areas including refugee representatives, peer group members, as well as with the wider community members, with particular attention to vulnerable groups; Work with the project team to define the methods of community participation that ensure the greatest possible participation of vulnerable groups, and mentor team members in the implementation of appropriate approaches for community engagement and provide feedback as necessary; Support team member in delivering capacity development activities for community focal points and peer group members and in preparing and facilitating community consultations on project activities, encourage activities that allow for feedback and suggestions from community members, and ensure this information is used to inform project activities and approaches Contribute to monitoring learning and developments of community focal points and groups, impact of activities and adapt project activities and approaches accordingly in coordination with the programme manager and relevant technical coordinators Project design and reporting Produce regular reports on monitoring results, learning and progress of activities done/supported; Ensures partners are involved and contribute to project design and proposal development, as well as to donor reports, protection analysis reports, monitoring activities and other internal reporting. Review partners’ project reports, support in the production of MEAL-related reports and submit to PM and coordinators on a monthly basis Contributing in Sitreps, monthly reports, donor reports and proposals. Technical support and capacity development Supports or facilitates training, capacity-building, and technical support to ensure that the legal framework and sector standards, Oxfam approach to protection are understood and implemented effectively and in line with key principles. Support the partner in defining the methods of community participation that ensure the greatest possible participation of vulnerable groups; Regularly support and coach partner staff in the delivery of training sessions in field activities, monitor quality and ensure reporting; Contribute to identifying areas for partner’s capacity building needs on protection topics among the team together and share with the relevant managers; Human resources Manage a team of protection officers and assistants in line with organisational requirements, ensuring appropriate performance management and mentoring Ensure compliance with Oxfam’s Code of Conduct and Core humanitarian principles Protection monitoring, research and analysis Provide written feedback and contribute to ensuring a strong analysis about protection incidents, issues and community conflicts and produce written reports on protection environment and threats for target communities. Support design, planning and implementation of programme-based protection researches and surveys in coordination with the Protection Coordinator and the Policy team Prepare, participate in and supervise the team in protection monitoring activities, ensuring that Oxfam approaches and tools are used properly, and that data is recorded correctly and in line with requirements. Ensure involvement of and coordination with the Protection Research and Policy Advisor in all protection monitoring activities Provide technical and analytical input into key discussions around Protection, including active participation in protection strategy elaborations and in local level advocacy activities External /internal Coordination Support partner in participating actively and meaningfully to protection coordination mechanisms and other inter-agency coordination relevant to protection in the context of Palestinian camps and gatherings Intervene and follow-up with external stakeholders (INGOs, national organisations, local institutions), and contribute to setting grounds for cooperation and identifying new possible collaborations Represent Oxfam externally through participation in relevant protection coordination (such as protection WG) and other relevant inter-agency coordination groups, as well as with local authorities.  Safe programming Provide technical support to the overall Oxfam and partner’s project team (including in other sectors, such as livelihoods and cash) for safe programming and protection mainstreaming, through capacity development and support in the design of activities.   SKILLS AND COMPETENCE: At least 5 years of experience in working with communities in humanitarian or development contexts, in particular with displaced or refugees populations At least 3 years of experience working in protection programmes, including SGBV or child protection. Preferably 2 years of experience in project management in all its aspects (design, planning, delivery, budget monitoring and Monitoring, evaluation and learning) Excellent written and verbal communication skills to motivate influence and negotiate both internally and externally, strong English and Arabic skills. Demonstrable previous experience in managing staff and in working partnership with national organisations Demonstrable capacity of working alone, with limited supervision Demonstrable experience in community mobilisation, as well as with local authorities and civil society engagement Demonstrable experience in using participatory research and assessment methodologies Demonstrable experience in using participatory learning and training methodologies Good understanding and knowledge in application of do no harm, conflict sensitivity principles, Sphere standards, Protection mainstreaming principles and ICRC standards and ethics for protection work Commitment to a rights-based approach, gender equality and protection Proven analytical skills Ability to work in multi-cultural team Willingness to work in insecure environments and a high level of adaptability and initiative