The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 50 countries, the IRC aims to restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.
Following a first assessment conducted in January 2017 in Italy and another one in July 2017, several critical protection gaps were identified within the assistance provided to refugees and migrants in Italy: mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), assistance to unaccompanied children, information provision and legal support.
IRC established a small presence in Italy to respond to the identified gaps. Programs in Italy include Refugee.Info, a web-based information platform, child protection programming targeting unaccompanied children and victims of trafficking, mentoring programs for the socio-economic inclusion of refugee youth, Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE), and education (social-emotional learning and healing classrooms).
Between April and December 2024 IRC Italia will work in a joint effort with UNHCR teams to provide support to persons of concern in key disembarkation areas as well as in reception facilities and informal settlements in Sicily (including the island of Lampedusa) and Calabria.
Job Overview
We are looking for a Roving Protection and Specific Needs expert who will manage a team of two cultural mediators to assist newly arrived individuals in Southern Italy, identifying and referring those with specific needs to appropriate services. They will operate within an inter-agency framework coordinated by UNHCR and will be responsible for data collection and protection monitoring activities.
Are you ready to join us in making a difference for those in need? We invite you to apply!
Major Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Project Implementation
•Supervising project activities in the intervention area.
•Supporting and monitoring protection-sensitive border procedures and reception conditions, focusing on PSN.( People with specific needs)
•Conducting regular field missions to monitor areas of interest and support operational responses for PSN.
•Maintaining protection presence through field missions, direct contact with concerned individuals, and collaboration with collaborators.
•Providing accurate information on rights, particularly asylum procedures, using multilingual materials.
•Gathering feedback on information materials and adapting them to the needs of newly arrived people.
•Reporting incidents and protection concerns, especially regarding PSN.
•Supporting the implementation and monitoring of Standard Operating Procedures for PSN identification and referral, with a focus on GBV survivors.
•Following up on referrals with relevant services and partners.
•Updating service mapping for effective referral procedures.
•Providing psychological first aid and basic MHPSS with support from cultural mediators.
•Delivering on-the-job training to relevant personnel for effective identification and referral of PSN.
•Attending capacity-building sessions to enhance team competencies for working with sensitive populations.
Monitoring and Reporting
•Coordinate the overall protection monitoring work for the team by gathering the data required for the monitoring and evaluation of the delivered services;
•Ensure appropriate, timely, and accurate data collection using agreed indicator supervising templates to enable both internal and external monitoring;
•Ensure that protection monitoring will be performed in line with UNHCR AGD policy;
•Ensure that program targets and results are met ;
•Contribute to the preparation of the narrative reports for IRC’s scope of work and compile partner reports as required by Donor, ensuring consistency in all the reporting activities;
Coordination and Communication
•Ensure close collaboration, coordination, and information sharing between the IRC team and the UNHCR staff in a joint effort to conduct the program activities;
•Regularly coordinate with the IRC Program Manager to give updates on the program activities;
•Coordinate daily interventions with the UNHCR team and other local partners to ensure the best support for the clients.
•Attend interagency coordination at the local level and information management activities as needed.
Job Requirements:
Profile and requirements
•Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Humanitarian Aid, or related field.
•2-3 years of experience in protection/protection monitoring activities, preferably with local partners in the target region.
•Field-level representation experience with partners and coordination with NGOs/state agencies.
•Strong communication skills, including report writing and liaising with authorities.
•Team-oriented with problem-solving skills.
•Excellent knowledge of the Italian legal system and international protection procedures.
•Experience in delivering psychological first aid and basic psychosocial support.
•Familiarity with working with newly arrived migrants, GBV victims, and trafficking victims.
•Understanding of survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and child-centered approaches.
•Politically and culturally sensitive with patience, tact, and diplomacy.
•Fluent in Italian and English, strong English writing skills.
•Proficient in Microsoft Office and digital tools.
•Valid driver’s license and access to insured vehicle (expenses reimbursed).
•Based in or willing to relocate to specified locations.
•Actively promotes team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion.
•Supports ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and adherence to IRC values and policies.
Reporting Lines
Position directly reports to Program Manager, IRC Italy
Working Environment:
This position will be based in either in Agrigento or Reggio, with the expectation of regular travels throughout each respective catchment area to provide assistance during disembarkation procedures and within reception facilities.
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. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, caste, sexual orientation, differently abled, geographic origin, marital status, veteran status, and cultural background (or any other characteristic protected by law). We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
#LI-GR2
