Protection Deputy Chief of Party

Terms of Reference

Protection Deputy Chief of Party (Consultancy contract)

**This position is contingent upon award**

BACKGROUND

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) provides program support to DKH Project Offices and local partners in the region of West and Central Asia. It is DKH’s approach to implement Relief, Rehabilitation and Disaster Risk Reduction projects mainly through local Partner Organizations. The focus area of DKH in West and Central Asia includes Afghanistan, Gaza, Iraq and Turkey, furthermore, in relation to the current Syria crisis, it covers now also Lebanon, Jordan as well as Syria itself. DKH is also on stand-by in case of need for partner support in acute emergencies in South and Southeast Asia.

While DKH is not directly implementing humanitarian projects in Syria, it has to be ensured that the local partner organizations have the administrative and technical capacities to respond to the crisis according to highest quality standards possible. DKH needs to ensure that the humanitarian response in Syria is meeting expectations in all relevant aspects that DKH can continuously rely on their partners and DKH added value in the partnership is manifested.

The purpose of the position, which is contingent upon award, is to fill DKH’s role as lead in Protection and Localization under a consortium project to be funded by DG ECHO. The project will be implemented by a consortium of INGOs and Local NGOs, and the project will build upon the experience of a currently running consortium project funded by DG ECHO. The Protection Deputy Chief of Party (PDCoP) will be responsible for:

1. Ensuring good implementation across the board for one of the local implementing partners (includes supporting, backstopping, and monitoring their progress in delivering on cash for basic assistance, protection, and livelihood activities),
2. Providing Protection technical support to both local partners in the implementation of the protection activities,
3. Supporting the efforts of DKH International Protection Experts and DKH’s Capacity Building Program Manager in building the local partner’s capacities during the project duration,
4. Ensuring proper coordination with other Consortium members, DKH’s Syria team, DKH’s Regional Office in Amman, Protection Cluster, and other stakeholders, as necessary.

Job Description

Location: Damascus, Syria. With travels to the area of operations in Syria, if security situation allows.

Assignment Period: 01.04.2021 – 31.03.2022 (12 months from starting date)

Reporting to: DKH Head of Syria Program in Amman

Terms of References:

Working under the supervision of the Head of Syria Program, the PDCoP is responsible to fulfil the following tasks:

Protection Technical Leadership (estimated at 60%)**

• Together with the rest of the Protection experts in house and in coordination with international and local partners, develop tools to ensure a common understanding of the Protection activities among field teams. In particular, together with DKH’s International Protection expert, develop clear guidance and protocols on using Cash for Protection in the project activities.
• Support, if necessary, in the recruitment of Protection field teams by local organizations.
• Provide strategic technical leadership in developing Protection sector strategies, implementation plans, monitoring plans and knowledge products.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a MEAL plan and tools for Protection activities, together with the consortium member in charge of MEAL.
• Maintain a smooth cooperation with DKH International Protection expert that leads to increased quality of protection related project activities.
• Contribute to the implementation through supervision with field visits and recommendations for improvement, especially in terms of Protection.
• Lead and support efforts to ensure harmonization of cash protection practices in Syria.
• Represent DKH in relevant working group meetings, and other events, conferences and thereby contribute to the harmonization of Protection in the focus countries as well as to information sharing and dissemination of best practices.
• Ensure that the Protection quality standards, including DKH technical guidelines in Protection are understood and implemented by partners.

Project Management (estimated at 20%)**

• Ensure smooth implementation of all activities (also cash for basic assistance, FLER, and livelihoods) by the local organization under the umbrella of DKH.
• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.
• Provides day-to-day backstopping to the local partner, as necessary, to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of the project: field operations, administration, logistics and procurement.
• Ensure project delivery meets all standard operational policies and procedures.
• Establish systems to guarantee the highest adherence to humanitarian principles in practice.
• Gather field stories and other communication materials for the PR department in Berlin.

Coordination (estimated at 10%)**

• Coordinate closely with DKH’s International Protection expert to ensure adequate implementation of project activities and protection guidelines developed.
• Coordinate closely with DKH’s Syria team and Head of Syria Program to ensure smooth project implementation, that all issues are tackled in a timely manner, and that solutions are identified and agreed on.
• Coordinate with consortium partners and maintain collaborative and fruitful relations with the local partner.
• Participate in consortium meetings, as necessary.
• Coordinate with Protection Cluster in Damascus to keep them informed on project developments. Intend to participate as an observer or have intense bilateral coordination.
• In coordination and close collaboration with DKH’s Syria Finances Officer, provide financial and operational management that optimizes resources through sound and consistent financial tracking, and timely submission of reports, or of budget reviews, as necessary.
• Assist COP in maintaining active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including donor, government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions.
• Represent the project and the organization in public, as assigned, and support the distribution of information about project achievements and lessons learned.
• Engage with DKH stakeholders and ensure sharing of projects information and learning with appropriate external agencies, partners, and stakeholders.

Capacity Building (estimated at 10%)**

• Together with DKH’s International Protection Expert and with DKH’s Capacity Building Program Coordinator, assess the capacity building needs of the local partners, particularly in terms of Protection through Identifying technical gaps in knowledge and skills.
• Deliver specialized protection trainings, and support in organizing trainings.
• Report on the outcomes of the trainings and workshops and monitor the progress.

Other tasks as required

• Support DKH’s Head of Syria Program in other tasks as required.

Qualifications:

Education

• Formal education in social work, humanitarian assistance, development, international relations, political science, or another relevant related field.
• A certificate of participation in a HEAT course or similar is highly desirable.

Experience

• In case the formal education is a Bachelor’s degree a minimum of 7 years of experience in Humanitarian Assistance will be required; in case the formal education level is Master’s degree in one of those fields, then a minimum of 5 years of experience in Humanitarian Assistance will be required. **
• Minimum 3 years of experience in Protection and Project management.
• Experience working with local partners and in capacity development support to local partners.
• Experience working with ECHO funded projects is desirable.
• Proven skills and experience providing trainings is highly desirable. In particular, experience in supervision, training and coaching staff in Protection programming and results-based project management will be highly appreciated.
• Experience in implementing Cash for Protection is highly desirable.
• Experience working in consortiums is desirable.
• Previous working experience in complex environments in MENA, preferably in Syria.

Languages

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.
• Arabic as a mother tongue or at very high level is required.

Skills

• Ability to work independently and to achieve results with minimum supervision. Proactivity will be highly valued and appreciated.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to implement projects and to track program quality according to monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and achieve results through collaboration.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Familiarity with digital tools and/or ability to learn quickly is necessary. I.e., ability to use outlook, MS programs, Zoom, Slack, Assana, etc.

Other requirements

• Possibility to work inside Syria.
• Ability to travel within project areas in Syria as needed, if security situation allows.