Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as an equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview/Summary: 

Under the direct supervision of the Field Coordinator and the technical supervision of the WPE/CP Coordinator, the Protection Manager provides leadership, strategic direction, and oversight for protection programming implemented through the Harar Field Office in Oromia Region. The position is responsible for ensuring quality project implementation, staff management, stakeholder coordination, grant compliance, and adherence to IRC protection, safeguarding, and humanitarian standards. The Protection Manager provides technical support and supervision to WPE/CP teams to ensure services are survivor-centered, safe, ethical, and aligned with IRC and donor requirements

Major responsibilities include:

• Lead the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of WPE/CP projects to ensure quality delivery and achievement of project objectives.

• Conduct regular field monitoring visits and provide documented recommendations to improve program quality and impact.

• Ensure timely collection, analysis, utilization, and dissemination of project data for decision-making, reporting, and learning

• Oversee project budgets and grants to ensure expenditures are accurately planned, tracked, and implemented within approved budget limits and donor requirements.

• Review and approve procurement plans, spending plans, and budget forecasts in coordination with Finance and Supply Chain teams.

• Ensure all protection services are delivered in accordance with IRC technical standards, global best practices, and humanitarian principles.

• Identify implementation risks and develop mitigation measures to ensure effective project deliver

• Strengthen the technical capacity of staff and local partners through coaching, training, and supportive supervision

Staff Management

• Directly supervise WPE/CP staff and provide ongoing coaching, mentoring, and performance management.

• Ensure timely recruitment, onboarding, goal setting, performance reviews, and professional development of team members.

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable team culture.

• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings with direct reports and ensure appropriate supervision structures are maintained across the department.

• Support effective annual leave planning to ensure staff well-being and uninterrupted program delivery.

Work relationship:

• Reports to: Field Coordinator

• Technical Supervision: WPE Coordinator

• Supervise: WPE/CP senior officer, Officers, Assistants, Case Workers/ development agents and other protection staff assigned under Harar Field Office.

Reports and Proposals:

• Ensure timely preparation and submission of quality weekly, monthly, donor, government, and internal reports in accordance with organizational and donor deadlines.

• Prepare regular updates and share with Field Coordinator, Sr Health and Nutrition manager, Health Coordinator and other relevant bodes as required.

• Produce the required weekly, monthly/quarterly/annual reports on Health and Nutrition responses under her/his supervision and share to the concerned body.

• Actively take part in need assessment, concept preparation, proposal development and budgets for future emergency responses and other health programs by IRC Ethiopia as required.

• Prepare and share detailed MMR, Weekly progress update, regular government and donor reports, lesson learned, success stories, and other reports to the supervisors and other concerned bodies within their due date.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Regular field monitoring visit to the intervention areas (where IRC is responding in protection in  emergencies and development programs) and provide technical support for field teams and make sure the projects are on the right track in all aspects.

• Share field visit feedback with clear SMART action points and follow up on the progress of those action points.

• Support the protection TU in Addis and actively participate in internal and external evaluation of Health and Nutrition response interventions.

• Closely work with the MEAL team to ensure that the project indicator matrix tool is developed for all projects, consistently tracked and regularly share reports to the concerned bodies.

• Ensures monitoring data including ITT, client feedback, project specific data bases, field visits monitoring feedback, etc are collected and used in a timely manner. This must be to ensure critical sequencing and use for improvement of quality project implementation and to adapt interventions and timing as appropriate including  PIM action points.

• Ensure M&E information is used to identify gaps, improve program quality and to develop timely strategies to advance accomplishment of the program

• Ensure that gender equality, diversity and inclusion are mainstreamed in all projects under his/ her supervision.

Representation, Coordination and Working Relationship

• Represent IRC in protection coordination forums, clusters, and technical working groups at regional and zonal levels.

• Maintain strong relationships with government counterparts, UN agencies, NGOs, community structures, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Lead engagement with government authorities on project approvals, MoUs, and access negotiations.

• Participate at Regional protection, cluster, interagency and taskforce meetings related to Protection as needed. 

• Ensure that there is a strong team spirit and conducive working environment established among East Hararghe Field Office protection team and other sectors.

• Ensure that there is a collaborative work relationship established between IRC protection team and other departments, government bodies, partners and clients.

• Work to make sure that the gender equality maintained in protection department under East Hararghe Field Office

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]

Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Job Requirements

Educational Requirements:

• Degree or master’s social work, law, sociology,  Public health, nursing, midwifery, social since, human right, project management or related fields

Preferred Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 4 Years work experience for the first-degree holder and 3 years work experience for Masters holders  in health programs at INGOs that involves clinical and community-based programs.

• Excellent in women protection and empowerment and child protection   programs including emergency responses.

• Good project management skills. Ability to plan, organize, and supervise/monitor implementation of emergency health response programs.

• Practical experience in managing protection in  emergency and development programs

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time

• Strong analytic problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure.

• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

• Ability to manage and work through change in proactive and positive manner.

• Excellent in Team development and coaching

• Proven experience in Protection programming, GBV/WPE programming, Child protection and Case Management principles

Language Skills: 

• Knowledge of English is mandatory

• Knowledge of the local language and familiarity with east Oromia regional context is desirable

How To Apply

Apply through the following link: THIS LINK

Job Requirements The International Rescue Committee (IRC) seeks a Protection Manager for its Harar Field Office in the Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The role requires a degree or master’s in social work, law, sociology, public health, nursing, midwifery, human rights, project management or related fields. Candidates must possess at least four years of experience in health programmes with INGOs, demonstrating strong skills in women’s protection and empowerment, child protection, project management, and safeguarding. The Protection Manager will lead planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of WPE/CP projects, ensuring compliance with IRC standards and donor requirements. Responsibilities include staff supervision, budget oversight, risk mitigation, stakeholder coordination, and reporting to senior management. The position demands excellent communication, analytical, and organizational abilities, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and a proven track record in protection programming. Candidates must be fluent in English and preferably familiar with the local Oromo context. How to Apply Click the apply button below