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.

Integrated Protection

IRC’s Integrated Protection Program brings together the core pillars of Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE), Child Protection (CP), and Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) into a unified, holistic approach to protection. The program strengthens community-based protection systems and enhances access to quality, survivor-centered services through strong partnerships with local actors and capacity sharing on a multisectoral level. It aims to increase access for women, girls, boys, and men to psychosocial support, case management, legal and protection services, while supporting communities to identify, prevent, and respond to protection risks—especially those faced by women, girls, and individuals at heightened risk. All programming is guided by principles of confidentiality, safety, dignity, and respect, with a strong emphasis on locally led, inclusive, and survivor-centered approaches.

Job overview:
With technical supervision from the Integrated Protection Coordinator and support from the WPE Technical Advisor, the Senior Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) Manager will be responsible for the overall technical guidance and quality implementation of the IRC’s WPE portfolio in Syria. The role focuses on project design, technical oversight, and ensuring quality GBV prevention and response through the Women and Girl’s Safe Spaces (WGSSs) and integrated services with health and economic recovery and development sectors. The position supports both IRC and partner-led programming by strengthening technical quality, providing capacity-building support, and ensuring alignment with global minimum standards. It also contributes to strategic planning and cross-sectoral integration in coordination with the Integrated Protection Coordinator.

Responsibilities:

In collaboration with the Integrated Protection Coordinator (IPC), the WPE Senior Manager will:

Technical Quality and Program Management:

 Provide technical oversight and guidance to IRC’s and partners’ WPE programming in Syria, ensuring quality implementation of Mobile WPE teams, Women and Girls Safe Spaces, GBV case management, and PSS services.Support the identification and technical assessment of new partners to expand WPE programming in Northeast Syria. Contribute to exploring and designing new programming areas to improve the safety of women and girls through IRC or partner-led models. Support GBV emergency preparedness and response, including technical input into contingency planning and rapid assessments. Provide technical input for gender and disability inclusion mainstreaming, especially within Health and ERD programming. Ensure lessons learned and best practices are documented, shared, and integrated into technical strategies and future program design. Review and validate technical tools, curricula, and models with implementation teams and advisors. Facilitate timely technical information-sharing on field challenges, needs, and trends.Contribute to the development and review of referral pathways and protocols with partners, clusters, and IRC sectors, ensuring survivor-centered approaches.Contribute to the vision, strategy, and planning of WPE programming in Syria, including the adaptation and/or expansion of activities to new locations.Oversee and manage the running of the WPE programs in different locations where IRC is presentDevelop and implement WPE project work plans in line with the projects’ goals, objectives, staffing and budget. Meet with the WPE teams to discuss programming progress, successes, challenges, responsiveness of IRC’s programs and location to emergencies, quality and areas for improvement, adaptation or change, putting in place action and contingency plans, and follow upWork closely with the Integrated Protection Coordinator and WPE Technical Advisor (TA) to ensure that all programming adheres to a women-, girl- and survivor-centered and feminist approach and that staff are supported to build and strengthen their practice and attitude in this area; and flag any related concerns to the Coordinator; Write proposals for WPE with support from the Integrated Protection Coordinator and Grants Unit to contribute to the development of the WPE program which is based on learning and evidence, and concept notes to strengthen the WPE portfolio in Syria. With the Coordinator and with the regular support from the WPE TA, review and approve all current and newly adapted materials, information, resources, activities and tools used in PSS and non-PSS activities to ensure they are culturally appropriate and in line with the women, girl, and survivor-centered approach; Provide management support to the team in setting up and running safe space activities and services – including consultation with women and girls for planning, scheduling, and content development; Ensure the WPE team are facilitating GBV response services that foster supporting women and girls  in building social networks, reducing risks, accessing information safely and promoting empowerment; Oversee quality community engagement for program acceptance and positive community attitudes towards women and girls. Provide technical support on relevant topics to the team, ensuring they adhere to international standards and guiding principles when working with at-risk populations; Guide the technical integration of GBV approaches into other sectors, particularly health, ERD, and protection. Strengthen the GBV health response in collaboration with IRC’s health programs, including clinical care for sexual assault survivors. Coordinate with the other programs on referral protocols and SOPs between the health, mental health, child protection, PRoL teams, and WPE team when applicable. Promote WPE case coordination and care in line with Caring for Child Survivor guidelines. 

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning:

 Oversee information management in Syria, working with the team ensuring information generated from our services is managed in-line with safety and ethical standards, relevant guidelines, information sharing and data protection protocols; for this request support and input from the line manager. Work with the team to ensure WPE  programming remains relevant to the needs, priorities and interests of all women and adolescent girls , ensuring that regular assessments, FGDs and community discussions are conducted with all women and adolescent girls by the team and that any issues are being raised, are regularly informing program design, and make adaptations accordingly with guidance from the WPE TA, and IPC. Update and maintain relevant Program Data and Indicator Trackers on a weekly basis to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data provided, and follow up with your team on any issues or missing information. Review GBVIMS data with relevant teams for trends in order to provide responsive services to survivors’ needs. Review and ensure the accuracy and completeness of the weekly reports received from the WPE team gathered from your sites of coverage. Regularly reflect on: progress, stories of change and success, emerging good practices; and areas that are not working, falling short; document what is being learnt and continue to build on this learning; action planning to address, adjust and change our programming and approaches. Design and review context-appropriate MEAL tools to measure GBV service quality and outcomes. Support the Program Coordinator in designing and conducting technical assessments and consultations for strategic planning and new proposals. Ensure programming is informed by strong contextual analysis, technical assessments, and stakeholder consultations.

Project Reporting and Budgeting:

 Prepare your contributions to internal and external reports within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats while ensuring regular communication with IPC for updates on achievements, challenges, donor reports and proposals’ development; Seek input from the WPE team, field staff, and M&E team; Work closely with IPC and M&E Team to create or update templates for WPE activity reports and monitoring tools, to compile qualitative and quantitative data for donors’ reports and for program quality documentation;  Develop, monitor, and update the spending plans and budgets for the WPE activities and complete inputs on cash forecasts on time; Ensure accurate use of budget codes, and continually monitor spending against the approved budgets for your activities, oversee and approve project expenditures in-line you’re your authorization limit and within donor regulations, Update Grant Management tools on a bi-weekly basis with information/input from the rest of the WPE team, including spending plans, procurement plans, HR plans and work plans; Plan and monitor the procurement/distribution of activity materials for all WPE activities as per work plans and donors’ requirements; Coordinate with the supply chain manager to ensure proper equipment and materials for the activities in place 

Representation and Coordination:

 Coordinate closely and have good working relationships with the Administrative Team, the Finance, Supply Chain and HR teams to ensure smooth processes; Represent the WPE  Program in grant opening, review and closure meetingsCollaborate with the Humanitarian Access team, security focal points, and IPC to ensure cooperation with local stakeholders and the ability to implement programming in multiple locations and in line with humanitarian principles;Develop and maintain effective working relationships with NGOs, UN agencies and authorities; Represent WPE  program at internal and external coordination GBV AoR meetings, and program-related meetings; Collaborate closely with the IRC’s Health and Protection and Rule of Law programs to ensure productive coordination and holistic care for women and girlsRepresent IRC in technical coordination forums, including the GBV Sub-Cluster and relevant working groups.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

 Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies. Develop and implement remote management capacity-building approaches to build the strengths of the teams in Syria. Coach, train, supervise, and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate.Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.Conduct regular reflection or program review meetings with field-based staff to assess the level of achievement and draw on learning and data trends (including client feedback) to further informprogram design and management decisionsProvide technical coaching, training, and mentorship to team members, ensuring clear communication of technical expectations and standards. Assess proficiencies and develop and lead a targeted learning and training strategy.Develop and implement remote technical capacity-building approaches to strengthen the skills and competencies of teams in Syria.Support the creation and delivery of measurable technical development plans, including on-the-job learning, knowledge exchange, and guidance on technical career growth.Identify technical capacity gaps within the team and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to address them effectively.Establish an efficient and responsive staffing structure for the WPE & CP department which considers a balanced workload and optimal ways of working to support a large multi-sector program. Supervise the WPE & CP team across multiple sectors and geographical areas. Set clear performance objectives, schedule regular check-in meetings, manage staff work plans, conduct regular performance reviews, champion a positive working environment for professional development, and foster an inclusive and respectful team climate.Ensure that the whole team are routinely and regularly assessing safety and risk across all services for women and girls and children, activities and site of operation; raising any concerns immediately.Lead technical training and support to mainstream WPE standards across IRC and partner operations in SyriaMaintain your weekly, monthly and longer-term work plan and calendar, keeping them up to date and putting in place systems for prioritization of workload and delegation tasks to supervisees according to their roles and responsibilities

Job Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in social science and law; political science, social work, or related field. Advanced degree preferred. Equivalent experience in a similar role may also be accepted in place of formal education.

Work Experience:

5-7 years of professional experience, preferably in protection, GBV/women’s protection program Experience in NGOs is preferred Demonstrated experience with GBV case management Demonstrated understanding of gender-sensitive & progressive programming and protection mainstreaming, demonstrated understanding of standard methodologies for integration of gender-based violence interventions in humanitarian action

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct. Report writing skills Excellent relationship-building, communication skills, and the ability to collaborate closely. Credible written, presentation, and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively, and solid experience providing training and staff development Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to achieve effective resolution. Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context. Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience. Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity. Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop and a sense of humor is a must.

·       Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

·       Excellent command of written and spoken English & Arabic

·       Travel: Minimum %40

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Integrated Protection CoordinatorPosition directly supervises:  Provides technical support to Implementation Managers, Ensures subsector technical quality in design implementation, adaptation Indirect Reporting: AdvisorsKey Internal Contacts: Relevant IRC Departments, Technical Advisor’s, Women Empowerment and Protection Rule of Law teams senior managers, IP Coordinator, IP managers, Engages and seek technical support from the TAs 

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.