Job Overview:
Under the supervision of the PRoL Coordinator, the Senior PRoL Manager will play a pivotal role in managing and supporting the PRoL teams across Ukraine. This position is responsible for overseeing the effective design and implementation of high-quality protection programs, including protection case management, legal advice provision, protection monitoring, system strengthening, and others as the PRoL program evolves. The focus will be on areas with large internally displaced persons (IDP) and host community populations exposed to protection risks, as well as newly accessible regions affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The Senior PRoL Manager will support the PRoL Coordinator to expand PRoL programming, developing innovative modalities for implementation that include partnerships with national organizations, mobile service approaches, and static provision of services in challenging environments. This role will also ensure the technical quality of programs while also providing comprehensive program management, including providing technical support to Field Management and PRoL Managers in development of decentralized budgets, MEAL plans, work plans, and procurement plans.

In addition to technical oversight, the Senior PRoL Manager will actively participate in strategic planning exercises, both internally and externally, engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders in the development and management of the PRoL programming. The PRoL Sn Manager will be also involved in project proposal development contributing best practice and lessons learned from fields as well as contribute to regular internal and external reporting.

Key responsibilities will also include capacity building and mentoring for field teams, ensuring adherence to IRC’s PRoL standards while fostering ownership of programming under the decentralization plan. As a critical member of the team, they will ensure the implementation of interventions is informed by research, data, and evidence, enabling informed decision-making and enhancing the effectiveness of programs.

The Senior PRoL Manager will also be expected to deputize for the PRoL Coordinator as required, playing a key role in strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and program advocacy, ensuring the overall success and impact of PRoL activities.

Primary Responsibilities
- Program Management and Support:
- Support the management of a complex, multi-donor, multi-year PRoL portfolio encompassing protection case management, PSS, legal advice provision, and protection monitoring activities by:
- Assisting the Coordinator in setting clear objectives and priorities for the PRoL portfolio, ensuring alignment with IRC’s global and regional strategies.
- Collaborating closely with the PRoL Coordinator to coordinate and integrate PRoL activities across various sectors, enhancing program synergies and effectiveness.
- Contributing to the development of comprehensive programmatic frameworks that guide the implementation of PRoL initiatives, tailored to meet the needs of persons exposed to protection risk.
- Supporting the MEAL team in establishing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess program impact and inform decision-making.
- Engaging with donors and stakeholders alongside the PRoL Coordinator to provide program updates and demonstrate accountability while aligning with their expectations and requirements.
- Assisting in facilitating capacity-building opportunities for field staff and partners to enhance the quality and sustainability of PRoL interventions.
- Participating in the regular review and adaptation of program strategies in response to evolving needs, contexts, and best practices.

Technical Quality Assurance:
- Support upholding high standards of technical quality throughout all stages of the project management cycle—from design to implementation, monitoring, and evaluation—by:
- Collaborating with the PRoL Coordinator to develop and implement robust, evidence-based project designs that reflect best practices in PRoL.
- Advising field staff, including PRoL Managers and Senior Officers, in facilitating participatory planning processes that engage key stakeholders, social services providers, and community members.
- Supporting the MEAL team in establishing performance indicators and outcomes for all PRoL activities, ensuring that field staff have the tools to monitor progress effectively.
- Providing ongoing technical guidance and support to field teams in navigating challenges throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring adherence to technical standards and best practices.
- Conducting regular field visits to monitor program delivery, gather feedback, and provide tailored technical support to enhance implementation.
- Facilitating hands-on support during field visits to PRoL Managers and Senior Officers, addressing immediate challenges and identifying areas for improvement in program execution.
- Leading capacity-building initiatives specifically designed for field staff, focusing on monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and data management to strengthen their technical capabilities.
- Assisting in the collection, compilation, and revision of internal and external reports for the PRoL sector, ensuring that field staff can contribute to timely submissions to donors.

Program Development, Proposal Design, and Integrated Programming:
- Support program development, project design, and proposal writing to secure funding and support for affected population and communities:
- Collaborating with the PRoL Coordinator and key stakeholders to identify emerging needs and opportunities for PRoL programming as the context changes.
- Assisting in designing innovative project proposals that directly address the specific needs of different types of affected population.
- Conducting analyses of protection risks in Ukraine to inform project design, ensuring field staff insights are incorporated.
- Ensuring proposals incorporate monitoring and evaluation frameworks that align with donor expectations and are implementable by field teams.
- Supporting collaboration across IRC’s operations by actively engaging with the sector leads to develop multi-sectoral interventions.
- Building relationships with donors and participating in funding discussions alongside the ProL Coordinator.

Coordination, Stakeholder Engagement, and Advocacy:
- Support the ProL Coordinator in representing IRC in national forums and enhance visibility and support for IRC’s programs by:
- Assisting in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with national authorities, NGOs, and international agencies.
- Supporting joint initiatives and information-sharing among stakeholders to develop coordinated strategies.
- Contributing to advocacy efforts to communicate national-level concerns and challenges to relevant stakeholders.

Partnerships:
- Assist in identifying and developing partnerships with local implementing partners to enhance protection services by:
- Supporting stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify key actors in general protection sector.
- Strengthening partnerships with relevant national and local organizations.
- Engaging in continuous dialogue with partners to share best practices and foster mutual learning.

Staff Supervision & Development:
- Maintain open and professional relationships with team members, providing support to enable staff to excel in their roles through Management in Partnership with the Field Coordinator by:
- Provide technical guidance and advice, on-the-job mentoring, and coaching for team members, focusing on enhancing their technical competencies in project implementation.
- Offering strategic technical support to PRoL Managers and/or Senior Officers, collaborating with them and the Field Coordinator to identify growth areas and facilitate regular performance reviews aimed at professional development.
- Collaborating with HR to assist in recruiting PRoL staff, ensuring the team possesses the necessary technical skills for effective implementation.
- Facilitating training and continuous capacity-building opportunities for field staff to enhance their ability to deliver high-quality PRoL interventions.
- Visit field locations to provide technical support and mentorship to field teams, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for quality implementation of PRoL initiatives.
- Supporting the decentralization plan by empowering field teams to take ownership of PRoL programming, fostering a culture of technical excellence and accountability.
- Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection at team level to strengthen safeguarding, wellbeing and duty of care, and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
- Lead by example and support IRC’s commitment to taking all necessary preventive measures and creating an environment where people feel safe and can report misconduct.

Requirements
The Senior PRoL Manager will need to meet the requirements below:
- Education: A degree desired in law, human rights law, international relations, social sciences, or other related field, or equivalent work experience.
- Language: fluent in Ukrainian and English (must have)
- At least 3 years’ experience in a leadership position managing multi-year programming and grants
- Solid knowledge of the humanitarian context in Ukraine
- Proven record of technical expertise in programming in one or more of the following areas: protection.
- Previous experience implementing humanitarian protection programs
- Demonstrable ability to contribute to strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and data-driven reporting
- Familiarity with key donor regulations is desirable, i.e. BHA, ECHO, UHF
- Experience in participating in coordination forums

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
- Ability to maintain the fast pace of working, multitasking and stressful work
- Demonstrated experience in staff supervision, capacity building, project design and budget management
- Good communication and interpersonal skills with good analytical and writing skills
- Strong team and people leadership, portfolio management, organizational and development skills
- Proven networking, team building, organizational and communication skills
- Additional qualities: ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, flexibility, adaptability to transitions.

This position will be based in any of the IRC Field sites - Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, with travel for monitoring and coordination purposes as necessary.

IRC employees are eligible to the following benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Purposeful job and development opportunities
- English classes and unlimited online training courses
- Life Insurance
- Medical insurance for staff
- Free psychological support to employees and their family members
- 30 calendar days of annual vacation with flexibility beyond the legally set minimum requirements
- Up to 10 days of paid medical leave