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.

Position Overview

The Protection Officer (Localisation) is responsible for leading the localisation workstream within the Protection Analysis Unit, with a focus on building, strengthening, and sustaining partnerships with local NGOs and community-based organisations engaged in protection data collection and analysis. The role ensures that protection analysis is grounded in communitylevel perspectives and informed by highquality, ethically collected data generated through local actors.

Under the supervision of the Senior Protection Analysis Manager, and in close collaboration with the Protection Analysis Officer, the position supports the identification, onboarding, and capacity strengthening of local partners, promotes responsible and consistent data collection practices, and oversees the quality and reliability of partner‑contributed data. The Protection Officer (Localisation) plays a key role in bridging community‑level information, partner insights, and IRC analytical processes.

Through sustained engagement with partners and coordination structures, the role contributes to expanding IRC’s analytical reach, strengthening localisation commitments, and ensuring that protection analysis products reflect diverse, contextually grounded perspectives. In doing so, the Protection Officer (Localisation) supports evidence‑based programmatic decision‑making, coordination, and advocacy across the Ukraine response.

Job Responsibilities

Leadership

·       Setting clear priorities, defining partner‑focused ways of working, and ensuring coherence between localisation objectives and protection analysis needs.

·       Provide functional guidance to partners and colleagues on ethical engagement, responsible data practices, and community‑based approaches to protection analysis.

·       Identify strategic risks, opportunities, and emerging challenges related to partner capacity, access, and community representation, and elevate these to the Senior Protection Analysis Manager to inform decision‑making.

·       Foster a collaborative and complementary working relationship with the Protection Analysis Officer, ensuring clear division of responsibilities and integrated approaches.

Project Management

·       Plan and manage localisation‑related activities, including partner mapping, onboarding, capacity‑strengthening initiatives, and partner‑led data collection, in line with agreed objectives and timelines.

·       Develop and maintain structured workplans for partner engagement and training activities, ensuring predictability and transparency for partners.

·       Oversee the implementation of partner capacity‑strengthening actions, tracking progress against agreed deliverables and milestones.

·       Monitor operational risks and bottlenecks affecting partner contributions or data quality and propose practical mitigation measures.

·       Maintain organised documentation related to partner engagement, training, and data quality processes to support continuity and institutional learning.

Coordination

·       Coordinate closely with internal IRC units, including the Protection Analysis Officer, MEAL, Case Management, Child Protection, Legal Aid, and WPE, to ensure partner‑collected data aligns with analytical priorities and programmatic needs.

·       Support engagement with protection coordination mechanisms, sub‑clusters, and working groups on issues related to localisation, community‑level data, and partner engagement.

·       Facilitate two‑way information sharing and feedback loops between local partners, IRC teams, and coordination actors, promoting responsible data use and consistent messaging.

·       Coordinate partner participation and community‑level inputs into joint or area‑based analysis initiatives, including area analysis workshops, ensuring local perspectives are effectively represented.

 

Other duties

·       Carry out other duties related to protection analysis and information use as requested by the Senior Protection Analysis Manager.

·       Adapt responsibilities and outputs to evolving programmatic priorities, operational constraints, and contextual developments.

Requirements

Education

  • University degree in social sciences, humanitarian studies, international relations, protection, development studies, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience may be considered.

Experience

  • Minimum 3–5 years of relevant professional experience in protection programming, locally-led or partner-led response, or a closely related field.

  • Demonstrated experience working directly with local NGOs or community‑based organisations in conflict‑affected or humanitarian settings.

  • Experience supporting partner capacity strengthening, training delivery, or accompaniment processes.

  • Familiarity with protection principles, community‑based protection approaches, and humanitarian coordination structures.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

  • Knowledge of protection risks, protection principles, safeguarding standards, and do‑no‑harm approaches.

  • Ability to assess data quality and support partners in improving consistency and reliability of qualitative data.

  • Strong facilitation, communication, and relationship‑management skills.

Languages

  • Excellent written and spoken English and Ukrainian required.

Core Competencies

  • Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity when working with diverse partner organisations.

  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in dynamic and high‑pressure environments.

  • High level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to IRC values and safeguarding standards.

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.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.