Odesa, Ukraine, Ukraine
Onsite
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 Subnational Technical and Liaison Officer provides analytical, liaison and technical support to Sub-National Protection Cluster coordination in the South, contributing to needs assessments, protection strategy contextualization, protection mainstreaming, inter-agency representation, and follow-up of agreed actions. The role ensures alignment between national and sub-national priorities and supports coherent positioning of protection concerns within inter-agency fora and humanitarian decision-making platforms.
The Subnational Technical and Liaison Officer (Protection Cluster) supports and operates under the direct guidance of the Sub-National Protection Cluster Coordinator to strengthen coordination effectiveness, partner engagement, capacity building and evidence-based decision-making at the sub-national level.
Female candidates are highly encouraged.
Ukrainian nationals required
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Coordination and Strategic Support to Sub-National Protection Cluster Coordinator
Support the planning, organization, and facilitation of sub-national Protection Cluster coordination mechanisms, including monthly sub-national coordination meetings and ad hoc technical or partner consultations.
Contextualize and operationalize national Protection Cluster strategies, standards, and guidance at the sub-national level, and follow up on agreed action points to strengthen collective accountability and delivery.
Assist in translating strategic priorities and HNRP objectives into practical sub-national action plans and partner commitments.
Contribute to the timely information sharing with partners on the relevant developments.
2. Liaison, Representation, and Inter-Agency Engagement
In collaboration with Protection Cluster Sub-National Coordinator, build and maintain consistent working relationships with partners, local authorities, Departments of Social Policy, regional Ombudsman representatives, NGOs, UN agencies, and other stakeholders.
Support representation of the Protection Cluster in inter-agency and inter-cluster fora (including UHF-related discussions, OCHA-led coordination platforms, HOCG meetings, and the ABC Kherson platform), ensuring protection risks, priorities, and principles are reflected in collective decision-making.
Promote protection mainstreaming and integration of protection standards across sectors through advocacy, workshops, briefings, and technical guidance.
3. Technical, Analytical, and Information Management Support
Provide technical inputs to needs assessments, protection analysis, and response planning processes, including structured analysis of protection trends, risks, and gaps to inform prioritization, advocacy, and decision-making.
Ensure effective application of information management and reporting systems, including 5Ws/Activity Info, mapping, dashboards, and analytical products that enhance response effectiveness and accountability.
Draft and consolidate key information products, updates, briefs, presentations, and reports, contributing to Protection Cluster’s communication and information sharing.
Provide interpretation and translation support as required.
Ensure the timely sharing of meeting summaries with the Sub-National Protection Cluster Coordinator and save them in the designated shared folder following each meeting.
4. Reporting, Monitoring, and Partner Support
Monitor progress against agreed cluster priorities, identify operational bottlenecks, and escalate issues to the Sub-National Coordinator for action.
Regularly update internal and inter-agency reports and contribute to donor and coordination reporting requirements.
Provide partners with guidance, orientation, and capacity-strengthening support on coordination standards, protection principles, referral pathways, and good protection practices to improve the overall quality and coherence of the protection response.
Conduct regular field monitoring visits.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education: Minimum: The university degree (Bachelor level or above), in Law, Political and Social Sciences, International Relations and related studies.
Demonstrated Skills and COMPETENCIES:
A minimum professional experience of 4 years at the national or international levels, in developing and promoting collaborative partnerships in emergency and humanitarian relief operations, including experience in managing and coordinating protection programs in chronic and acute, sudden-onset emergencies.
Relevant work experience in IRC, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNFPA, other UN agencies, protection cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organization, relevant nongovernmental or humanitarian organizations.
Demonstrated knowledge of emergency responses, in particular in protection/ social services sector, complemented by demonstrated ability to identify and manage difficult situations, to lead and direct multidisciplinary and multinational staff.
In-depth knowledge of humanitarian policies and practices within the UN, other UN specialized agencies, donor agencies, national and international NGOs.
Excellent negotiation skills and ability to convene stakeholders and facilitate a policy process among UN, NGOs, and local authorities.
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond.
Teamwork.
Result orientation, Analytical thinking, Communication.
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural difference.
Creating an empowering and motivating environment.
Female candidates are highly encouraged.
Ukrainian nationals required.
REPORTING LINES
The IRC will provide hierarchical management for the staff member assigned to the Protection Cluster, covering security protocols, internal training, duty of care, IT resources, leave management and performance management as the employing organization. Internal line management will be provided by the PRoL Coordinator within IRC.
The Sub-National Protection Cluster Coordinator for South Hub, based in the Odesa, will serve as the functional line manager. The Subnational Technical and Liaison Officer will address all tasks and responsibilities related to cluster coordination under the guidance of the Sub-national Protection Cluster Coordinator. Specific tasks, roles, and responsibilities will be delegated by the sub-national cluster coordinator in accordance with the Protection Cluster's workplan, and they will be updated regularly.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.
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