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

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-Retaliation, and Combating Trafficking in Persons.

• IRC is committed to ensuring that IRC staff are suitable to work with children and have the knowledge to uphold and abide by the IRC’s Safeguarding Policy.

• IRC recognizes that gender equality is fundamental to the achievement of our organizational mission. As such, IRC is committed to promoting gender equality in all aspects of our operations and programs. Our organizational policies, procedures, and actions demonstrate this commitment.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform crucial job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Note: Short-listing and Interviews will be conducted on rolling basis. Only Short-listed candidates will called for an interview.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings

Why Choose the IRC?

Work that has meaning: Every day at the IRC is a chance to make a difference through a purpose-driven career. Whether you're working directly with communities or providing support behind the scenes, you will be part of a dynamic team that is always innovating, scaling, and testing new and better solutions to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people we serve.

Global scale, dynamic workplace: At the IRC, we believe that the dynamic, global make-up of our team is our strength. When you join us, you're not just starting a job—you will be part of a global organization positively impacting millions of lives in over 40 get to work with colleagues from all around the world—working across time zones and regularly exchanging different ideas, perspectives and insights. You’ll join a team that is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard.  

Challenging work, innovative solutions: We’re committed to excellence and innovation, and pride ourselves in setting industry-leading standards while practicing evidence and data-lead strategies. Come challenge norms, shatter conventions, and pioneer change while working on real, nuanced and complex issues we face in the world today.  

Community centered: We’re an empathetic community that truly cares for one another. Our comprehensive safety and security initiatives ensure a safe work environment, while our continuous learning and development programs provide ongoing opportunities for personal and career advancement.

Read More

Our Typical Recruitment Process

The interview process typically includes three rounds, though the number may vary depending on the role and level of seniority. It usually begins with a conversation with our recruiting team to learn more about you and your goals. This is followed by an interview with a hiring manager or business stakeholder to explore your background and provide more insight into the role. The final round focuses on assessing your role-specific expertise and may be conducted as a panel interview to evaluate your cross-functional strengths. Before extending an offer, we generally conduct reference checks, and after an offer is made, a standard background check is completed. While we strive for consistency, the process may differ based on the role, business unit, location, job type, legal requirements, and other factors.

Read More