Protection Officer for Outreach Volunteer

INTERSOS is a non-profit humanitarian aid organisation that works to bring assistance to people in danger, victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Established in 1992 with support from the Italian Federation of Trade Unions, its actions are based on the values of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights and opportunities for all people and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable and the unprotected.

INTERSOS identifies with the core values of CONCORD, the European Confederation of NGOs; it adheres to international codes of conduct for humanitarian organisations and the values and principles expressed within those codes. INTERSOS is recognised by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the European Commission and the principal UN agencies; it is privileged to hold an advisory status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
INTERSOS is an independent association which, through its own humanitarian operators, intervenes to effectively answer the needs of people in serious crises situations, mainly in the world's poorest regions, who are suffering, deprived of rights, dignity and essentials goods. It maintains a flexible operating structure. The head office in Italy coordinates, supports and monitors the planned activities in the countries of intervention carried out by decentralised offices.

Job Purpose:

Lead, manage and coordinate the INTERSOS Outreach Volunteer (OV) Program in designated areas in Mount Lebanon under the supervision of the INTERSOS Protection Manager and in strong coordination with the partner sub-office (UNHCR). Guarantee the correct and efficient implementation of the project activities and the overall supervision of the OV teams. Ensure qualitative and timely planning, implementation and monitoring/evaluation of INTERSOS OV activities in compliance with INTERSOS, UNHCR standards and protocols.

Generic Duties:

1. Under the supervision of the line manager (Protection Manager), elaborate input for project proposals and/or concept notes and budgets related to OV and Community Based Protection (CBP) activities within the multi-sectorial project;
2. Coordinate, manage and supervise the OV teams and provide regular feedback to the line manager on the status of OV performance and of implementation of activities with regard to achievements, constraints and challenges;
3. Ensure and facilitate internally the relations with colleagues of the other project components – in particular protection monitoring and case management – and externally with the partner (UNHCR) and other actors and stakeholders in the field;
4. Ensure with support of the data clerk team and the line manager the proper collection, processing, handling and analysis of all data related to OV activities;
5. Ensure a proper and timely internal and external reporting on activities and targets by using established tools and templates of INTERSOS and the partner (UNHCR);
6. Monitor, evaluate and analyze the implementation process of OV activities with support by the partner (UNHCR) and the line manager in order to come up with proposals for potential changes and improvement of operations;
7. Arrange proper archiving all the collected information as well as of OV activity related documents, either in softcopy or hardcopy, to facilitate the access for the line manager and external stakeholders;
8. Undertake regular field visits to meet the OV teams and to encounter beneficiaries and other local stakeholders;
9. Ensure the accountability of all OV operations of the project, and fill in the function as INTERSOS focal point for OV related activities in Mount Lebanon;
10. Participate in sector meetings on OV and CBP activities at regional and national level on behalf of INTERSOS.
11. Ensure the on-going analysis of the capacities and skills of the OV teams and reply to identified gaps through trainings and capacity building;
12. Any other relevant support as required by the line manager.

Specific Duties:

Coordination of the OVs:

1. Promote a participatory approach among the INTERSOS OVs in order to involve refugees’ representatives in the identification of vulnerable individuals and conducting service referrals, implementation of outreach activities as a way to promote awareness amongst the community and establish community-based protection.
2. Lead the reporting of the INTERSOS OV program implemented in assigned areas.
3. Support and manage a pool of general and specialized OVs in their daily activities; ensure distribution of tasks within the teams.
4. In collaboration with protection officers and field assistants work closely in order to ensure smooth coordination of OVs tasks and responsibilities.
5. Organize period meetings with OVs, at the district and regional level, to supervise activities, provide support, guidance and seek solutions to any issues identified.
6. Communicate regularly with the OVs teams for updates on achievements and challenges
7. Disseminate information on refugee issues/assistance/services to OVs, brief them on the information and ensure that it is effectively shared with communities.
8. Undertake field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision as well as regularly monitoring of the progress of the OVs project activities.
9. Any other relevant Coordination activities under the protection unit as required.

Supervision of OV activities:

1. Plan, Monitor and Supervise the activities of Outreach Volunteers (OVs) active in the INTERSOS Protection program in assigned area.
2. Plan, monitor and supervise the implementation of the participatory assessment with donor
3. Supervise and monitor the activities related to identification, follow-up and awareness raising implemented by the OVs in accordance with the tools and procedures used by INTERSOS
4. Act as a link between the OV project and INTERSOS case management activities in assigned area, coordinate with Caseworkers on referrals and for technical support for OVs.
5. Establish and supervise small scale protection activities/initiatives implemented by OVs including planning, design, implementation, financial aspects and reporting for successful delivery.
6. Coordinate with IRC and Protection Officer for Case management on the implementation of the UASC coaching program

Monitoring & Reporting:

1. Ensure accurate quality reporting on the OVs activities, feeding into weekly and monthly reporting to be prepared by the OV officer and shared with UNHCR
2. Contribute to the drafting of internal and external reports (weekly, monthly, and quarterly) according to INTERSOS and donors requirements ensuring that reports are of a high quality and submitted on time.
3. Transmit protection concerns reported by OVs to Donor and other relevant actors in a timely and accurate manner.
4. Support in entering data and provide/prepare update to ensure weekly and monthly overview of SGBV & CP cases (gender, age, typology, referral, follow-up and cash assistance info to be included) and all cases referred by OVs.
5. Provide meeting minutes and data related to OV participation in meetings/capacity building in a timely manner.
6. Make sure the accuracy and secrecy of data entered into the case management services.
7. Assist in ensuring that hardcopy project documents are available in digital document files for documentation purposes;
8. Support in producing partial information reports originating from the data collection and analysis.
9. Maintain regular and positive collaboration with the colleagues to harmonize approaches and methodologies of response, share challenges and best practices.
10. Ensure monthly monitoring of financial plan for budget lines related to OVs activities. Ensure monthly follow up on progress of budget expenditures for OVs activities against financial plan and preparation of weekly liquidity plan.

Coordination & Representation:

1. Proactively participate in protection and relevant INTERSOS coordination meeting at the regional and district level.
2. Liaise with field-offices of humanitarian agencies and coordinate with Donor Sub-Office to ensure field concerns and challenges are brought to relevant stakeholders.
3. Coordinate with Donor, Donor partners and other local and international organizations for the development and implementation of the OV project.
4. Organize and attend bi-lateral meetings with Donor to discuss the progress of the OV project and flag any concerns.
5. Facilitate OV monthly meetings and meetings with other Donor partners.

OV Capacity Development:

1. Promote regular OVs mentoring and coaching sessions based on identified needs and gaps in coordination with Donor
2. Organize and conduct trainings for OVs on relevant protection topics.
3. Coordinate with Donor/ other partners to organize training for OVs based on identified needs.

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

Professional Competencies:

• 3 to 5 years of relevant work experience
• MS Proficiency (Word, Excel)
• Excellent Reporting skills
• Driving License

Behavioural competencies:

• A high degree of flexibility
• Cultural awareness
• High confidentiality, respect and non-discrimination attitude
• High level of planning and organising; Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Developing and motivating others
• Driving and achieving results
• Teamwork
• Problem solving
• Ethical and transparent decision-making
• Initiative
• Strategic vision
• Humanitarian motivation and commitment to INTERSOS values
• Respect of INTERSOS policies and procedures