Protection Team Leader

HEKS/EPER is actively engaged in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, responding to the far-reaching consequences of the ongoing conflict. The organization provides emergency assistance, focusing on those most affected by war, including displaced individuals and vulnerable communities. Its efforts emphasize the provision of essential services such as shelter, food security, and psychosocial support, alongside facilitating integration and resilience-building measures.

Safeguarding and Child Protection:  At HEKS/EPER, the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable individuals are of utmost importance. To uphold this critical value, the organization enforces stringent safeguarding measures throughout the recruitment and onboarding processes. This includes comprehensive background and reference checks for selected candidates, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of safety and protection against harm or exploitation. These meticulous procedures reflect HEKS/EPER’s unwavering dedication to fostering secure environments for the most vulnerable.

HEKS/EPER is equally committed to the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion. We endeavour to cultivate an inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Role Overview: 

Protection Team Leader in Kharkiv will oversee Protection team, ensuring effective delivery of protection services. The role includes managing and coordinating activities, providing guidance and support to team members, and overseeing the work of project partners. The Team Leader will also ensure that protection interventions align with organizational standards and local needs. Key responsibilities include monitoring performance, reporting on progress, and ensuring effective collaboration with stakeholders. The Team Leader may occasionally travel to other regions, such as Sumy and Donetsk, depending on project needs or changing circumstances.

Roles and Responsibilities: 

Effective team management and partners supervision

• Provide guidance and periodic technical and managerial support to subordinates and partners to ensure quality implementation of activities.
• Assist in the development and execution of field assessments and analyses, aligned with program requirements.
• Provide the team and partners with in-field coaching and mentoring on an ongoing basis, with a strong focus to build capacity and enhance program quality.
• Proper and effective task assignments, accurate evaluation of their deliverables and objectives.
• Weekly planning meetings with all staff and bilateral follow-up with direct reports at least once per month. 
• Increase visibility of direct reports by highlighting accomplishments within or outside of the immediate team.
• Review and sign-off on leave requests and timesheets. Ensure that annual leaves are taken on a timely basis, while adequate coverage is maintained.
• Ensure that all staff adhere to the principles set out in the HEKS/EPER Code of Conduct, and promptly raise any concerns with Senior Management as required.

Managing appropriately the WGSS and Mobile Unit, and effectively using the resources to deliver quality implementation of project: 

• Efficient use of WGSS and Mobile Unit resources using the variety of resources, tools, materials, and opportunities to operate the WGSS and Mobile Unit in an effective and efficient method.
• Improve the operation of the WGSS and Mobile Unit to be friendly, well organized, equipped, clean and attractive for participants.
• Improve the WGSS and Mobile Unit visibility including representation, logo banners, Posters etc. 
• Using the available WGSS and Mobile Unit resources efficiently for different activities.
• Being creative and practical in brainstorming ideas and implementing it.
• Proper follow-up on arranging all logistical, and administrative tasks related to WGSS and Mobile Unit activities and events, including PRs, Payments, logistical arrangements, financial related tasks, admin related tasks, etc. 
• Increase the awareness of WGSS and Mobile Unit, increase mobilization, enrollment, and engagement (through disseminating information, coordination meetings with other departments and representatives, media communication (to be first approved be upper management and communication department), field visits).
• Monitoring of the staff and partner activities for quality of delivery (field check visits, checking beneficiaries’ lists, ensure on proper, accurate and complete information collected, give frequent constructive feedback).
• Ensure the safety and security of staff and beneficiaries through communication with S&S focal point and sharing incident reports or requesting support in a timely manner.

Data management and reporting

• Share accurate, complete and comprehensive reports in a timely manner, including the monthly report. 
• Oversee, maintain and data clean the online database to ensure accurate quantitative reporting.
• Filling out the Protection Indicator tracker on a monthly basis after collecting the figures from team and partners
• Reporting on Activity info on monthly basis, and other platforms if needed.
• Written and verbal Consent must be obtained from each beneficiary, especially when collecting personal identifiable information. 
• Record and maintain updated and accurate database of beneficiaries and delivered activities or services, either on the online database excel sheet or by using digital data software (CommCare). 
• Perform satisfaction/feedback survey with beneficiaries on frequent basis.
• Ensure to always disseminate information with beneficiaries on the different feedback and complaints channels .
• Ensure to have all necessary visibility items at the center (for example: posters, banners, wearing ID, etc) during the delivery of activities.
• Ensure to take adequate, consented and appropriate photographs of beneficiaries during activities.
• Manage, file and store data, ensuring the confidentiality of the information collected and the services provided. 
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly work plans in a timely manner.
• Being capacitated on how to report on activity info and record figures on monthly basis in the absence of supervisor. 

Coordination and Networking

• Actively participating in relevant cluster meetings on local level, including: Protection and GBV sub-cluster meetings.
• Strengthen and maintain networks through other service providers to ensure that survivors receive compassionate support from the community and to encourage greater communication, collaboration and coordination among partners (protection, health, legal, and psychosocial sectors).
• Strengthen and maintain networks with community leaders, women leaders, service providers and camp management to ensure that survivors receive compassionate support from the community and to encourage greater communication, collaboration and coordination among partners (protection, health, legal, and psychosocial sectors).
• Conduct frequent field visits (at least once per 2 weeks) for the purpose of outreach, coordination and networking. 

 Admin and logistic support: 

• Identify ahead of time the needed materials, logistical needs, supplies, services, equipment, refreshments, etc. for activities and communicate it with supervisor or prepare the needed admin documents for securing these items or services. 
• Support on daily basis with all procurement requests, logistical arrangements at the WGSS and Mobile Unit to ensure appropriate implementation of activities.

Role Competencies:

1. Professional Competencies:
   1. University degree in psychology, social work or a related degree.
   2. At least 2 years of previous experience in assisting Protection projects, GBV/Case Management components will be an asset.
   3. Knowledge and understanding of health and social protection system of Ukraine.
   4. Experience with operationalizing GBV principles, knowledge of international humanitarian standards for GBV prevention and response. 
   5. Fluency in Ukrainian and good knowledge of English.
   6. Proficiency in IT skills, including Google and Microsoft office applications (Word, Excel, Google Form, PowerPoint, etc.).
2. Behavioural Competencies: 
   1. Empathy, communication skills, active listening.
   2. Team Management, conflict resolution, emotional resilience.
   3. Adaptability, stress tolerance.
   4. Learnability.