Senior Protection Officer

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 provide technical support to partner organisations in the implementation of the protection component of the ECHO project in North Lebanon. The role will combine technical support and collaboration in the field in implementation of gender-sensitive community-level protection activities, including monitoring and evaluation of programme activities, as well as collaboration and coordination among partners, and support to protection research and advocacy activities on protection issues. The 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 support partner’s 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.    BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY:  No direct budget holder responsibility but contribute to budget planning and monitoring with partners.  DIMENSIONS: Delegated authority to supervise the work of a partner and delegated projects/activities. 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 in 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, and ensures correct implementation Strong technical understanding and mentoring skills Strong interpersonal skills including good team work   KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:  Project implementation and management Responsible to ensure the quality and compliance with sector and Oxfam standards in the implementation of the protection components of the project Manage and join partners in field activities: community mobilisation, delivery of information about services and entitlements, local –level advocacy and monitoring protection issues affecting target population. Coordinate the joint work of 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 Under the supervision of the ECHO PM, work with partners’ teams to develop and regularly monitor work plans and spending plans for project implementation that ensure project proposals are implemented properly in line with donor requirements Coordinate with programme 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   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;   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 monitor partners in protection monitoring activities, ensuring that agreed approaches and tools are used properly, and that data is recorded correctly and in line with requirements. Ensure involvement of and coordination between partners and 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 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. Previous experience in working in 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