Protection Officer (5 positions 1 each based in Kohat, Haripur, Buner, Upper Dir, Chitral)

theirc; Kohat; On-site; PKR 1,100,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Job summary

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is implementing a 6.5-month project across five districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to strengthen protection and legal services for vulnerable communities. The project aims to improve access to legal support, case management, and community-based protection services, while building stronger local structures to prevent and respond to protection risks.

The Protection Officer will establish community protection committees, map services, monitor protection needs,

Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in social sciences or related discipline.
• Experience: At least 2 years in relief/humanitarian projects with diverse teams.
• Experience with community-based protection and vulnerable groups.

Responsibilities

• Establish community protection committees.
• Map protection services and identify gaps in service provision.
• Conduct protection monitoring to identify needs of vulnerable communities.
• Lead the team in district/day-to-day project activities.
• Collaborate with local authorities and partners to validate data.
• Provide updates and briefings on progress and findings.

Skills

Multilingual English/Urdu/Pashto

Professional communication

Teamwork

MS Office

Reading/writing speed

Education

Master's degree in social sciences

Tools

MS Office

Job description

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 IRC is implementing a 6.5-month project across five districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to strengthen protection and legal services for vulnerable communities. The project works toward one overarching outcome: improved access to legal support, case management, and community-based protection services, alongside stronger community structures to prevent and respond to protection risks. Four outputs deliver this: community-based protection mechanisms that expand awareness and access to services; case management and referral pathways for at-risk individuals; legal services, including counsel and representation; and a protection monitoring framework to systematically capture and track protection risks.

Major Responsibilities:

• Establishing community protection committees.
• Mapping protection services in the area and identifying gaps in service provision.
• Conduct protection monitoring to identify the needs of vulnerable and risk prone communities.
• Establishing and managing MPCCs. Ensuring attendance and meaningful participation of clients at MPCCs.
• The protection officer will lead the team in district and day-to-day project activities.
• Collaborating with local authorities, humanitarian organizations, and community leaders to validate data and ensure accurate population representation.
• Identifying and documenting key protection concerns, including risks related to gender-based violence, child protection, and access to essential services.
• Liaising with district authorities such as the Social Welfare Department (SWD) etc. to ensure alignment with district administration and humanitarian priorities.
• Providing regular updates and briefings to the team and partners on progress and findings.
• Supporting the development of referral pathways to improve access to protection services for the vulnerable population
• Compiling data and information for donor reporting and other project documents, ensuring timely submission.
• Develop work plans and support the Protection Manager in preparing spending plans, tracking activities against indicators and action points, and using information from MEAL and partner reports.
• Track project deliverables and supervise project performance in the assigned topics and/or geographic areas.
• Inform the supervisor/management of any critical issues as they arise.
• Frequent travel to project intervention areas to monitor program implementation and provide technical assistance.
• Represent the team at meetings, conferences, and workshops as needed.
• Provide updates, reports, and critical analysis of the field and report to the Team lead.
• Coordinate with relevant departments to ensure effective support to the field and field visit planning

Position Reports to: Protection Manager

Position works with: Protection Managers, MEAL, CLO, Caseworkers and IMS.

External: District Authorities, CBPC, COV and Referral Partners.

Job Requirements:

• Education: Master's degree in social sciences or any related discipline.
• Experience: At least 2 years of experience working in relief and humanitarian projects working in diverse teams.
• Experience developing and implementing projects focused on community-based protection, including work with vulnerable groups.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• The ability to speak using sufficient, structured, and accurate vocabulary in formal conversation.
• Computer skills, including M/S office
• The ability to use the language to satisfy professional needs.
• Ability to read and write at a normal speed and with almost complete comprehension of a variety of materials, unfamiliar subjects, styles, and forms pertinent to job needs.
• Language Skills: Fluent, professional-level speaking, reading, and writing in English, Urdu, and Pashto.
• Working Environment: Works well in and promotes teamwork, flexible and able to handle pressure well

The IRC Core Values and Commitments.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality, and Accountability. Guided by these values, the IRC operates and implements policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, IRC Safeguarding Policy, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retalia