Protection program manager

Location: Kyiv, with travels to partner offices and project locations in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Romania

Period:           1 years, extendable

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) is a German non-government organization (NGO) that renders humanitarian aid in 31 countries with 13 offices across the world. DKH supports people who are affected by crisis related to natural hazards, war, and displacement and focuses on locally-led responses by working in collaboration with a global network of partner organizations. Fostering localized humanitarian action and a long-term equal partnership approach lies at the very core of our work.

Continuously striving to facilitate mutual learning and capacity exchange, DKH aims to identify innovative and customized programmatic approaches and cooperation models. The organization actively seeks to shift power to local partners and communities through the transfer of decision-making opportunities to directly address their own priorities. DKH is part of the Protestant Agency for Diakonie and Development (EWDE) based in Berlin, Germany.—this statement is the most crucial as it not only outlines the unit/ department where the position is situated and how its objectives and deliverables align with the organization's mission, but also provides a concise overview of the job's role in contributing to and supporting that mission, referencing the expected grade level and key attributes of the employee needed for successful execution of responsibilities.

DKH Ukraine Country Office has been established towards the middle of 2023. Currently DKH Ukraine has seven partner organizations (PO) in Ukraine and seven PO in neighboring countries. While DKH Ukraine is not planning to direct implement humanitarian projects, it wants to ensure that the partner organisations in Ukraine and the neighboring countries have the administrative and technical capacities to implement their projects and programs according to highest quality standards possible. DKH wants to ensure that the humanitarian response in Ukraine and the neighboring countries is meeting expectations in all relevant aspects, that DKH can fully rely on the partner organizations, and an added value becomes visible through the own presence on the ground. 

DKH`s Ukraine working fields are Basic Needs, Shelter, Winterization, Protection/MHPSS, Livelihood, Humanitarian Demining

 DUTIES & RESPONSABILITIES

• Develop and lead the implementation of the Protection strategy, ensuring alignment with humanitarian standards, DKH`s Global Strategy, organization goals and the needs of vulnerable populations.
• Develop a MHPSS (Mental Health and Psychosocial Support) strategy for the Ukraine crisis region to address specific protection needs, coordinate responses effectively, and provide comprehensive support to affected populations in a contextually appropriate manner.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of partners protection activities to ensure effectiveness and impact.
• Oversee that country program operations align with the Protection and MHPSS Strategy to ensure that interventions are consistent, effective, and address the identified needs of affected populations, maximizing the impact and coherence of protection efforts
• Develop a Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for protection activities to ensure consistent, effective, and adaptable protection interventions across different countries, providing a clear framework for responding to risks and safeguarding affected populations.
• Technically lead Protection and MHPSS needs assessments to accurately identify risks and vulnerabilities, including those related to gender, age, and diversity, ensuring that protection interventions are tailored to the specific needs of all affected groups and effectively address their unique challenges.
• Analyze the current social protection (including MHPSS, child protection, GBV, information dissemination, IPA/referrals) in each country to design the best mechanism for partner’s protection interventions
• Research in-country protection risks and related gaps to identify and address vulnerabilities, develop effective protection strategies, and ensure that interventions are tailored to the specific needs of the affected populations, thereby enhancing overall safety and support.
• In close collaboration with MEAL Expert develop a robust monitoring and evaluation system for all protection operations and maintain Project Coordinators and partners in drafting protection logframes and budgets to ensure that protection objectives are clearly defined, resources are allocated effectively, and activities are well-coordinated to achieve desired outcomes.
• Cooperate with MEAL Expert and Project Coordinators to analyze data and information collected from feedback mechanism to inform evidence-based decision-making and program adaptation.
• Provide orientation, customized trainings, and one-on-one mentoring to partner staff on all aspects of planning and running protection operations to ensure they have the skills and knowledge needed to effectively plan and execute protection operations, improving the overall quality and impact of the protection activities
• Represent DKH Ukraine in protection coordination forums, clusters, and working groups. 
• Set up vulnerability criteria and beneficiary identification system to ensure that protection efforts are accurately targeted, addressing the specific needs of at-risk populations in each country, and ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and equitably.
• Set up a data collection, analysis, and storage system to systematically gather, analyze, and safeguard information on protection needs and responses, ensuring informed decision-making, tracking of impact, and compliance with data protection standards.
• Integrate data protection measures into all protection activities to ensure the confidentiality, security, and ethical handling of sensitive information, safeguarding the privacy and safety of beneficiaries and maintaining trust in the protection program.
• Conduct monitoring visits to partner organizations to ensure that protection activities are implemented effectively, adhere to standards, and align with program goals, while also identifying and addressing any issues or gaps in implementation
• Provide support to partners in protection-related reports to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent reporting, facilitating effective communication, accountability, and informed decision-making across the protection program
• Facilitate capacity-building for partners on protection principles, international standards, and best practices to enhance their ability to deliver effective, rights-based protection services that meet global benchmarks and address the specific needs of vulnerable populations.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED:

• University degree in social science, law, psychology, or another related field; MA/S or other related advanced degree preferred.
• Understanding of humanitarian principles and practices.
• In-depth knowledge of international protection programming standards in humanitarian contexts, particularly Gender Based Violence, Psychosocial Support, Protection mainstreaming including familiarity with sector standards and best practice approaches.
• Strong technical skills and knowledge about the broad spectrum of methodologies and approaches to MHPSS programmes. 
• Understanding of safeguarding and do-no-harm principles, and how these interact with protection mainstreaming programming and risk mitigation strategies in humanitarian settings.
• Strong interpersonal skills and display evidence of good leadership and influencing skills.
• Ability to interact professionally with culturally and linguistically diverse staff and clients.
• Ukraine, English fluency required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable participating both as an effective contributor and a listener in-group setting which include senior staff.
• Well-organized, resourceful, effective, and efficient at coordinating multiple resources to get things done and must have proven track record of successfully working on multiple tasks at once and foresees and plan around obstacles.
• Demonstrated sensitivity in diverse, cross-cultural settings.

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Excellent communication and inter-personal skills, and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with colleagues, partners, and donors.
• Ability to work independently and respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner.
• Proactively working with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Excellent coaching and mentoring skills, ability to listen, to organize and to present information, views and concepts in a concise, understandable and interesting way for a variety of audiences, both written and oral.
• Good at facilitation and training skills.
• Experience in communicating in a professional way with donors and other stakeholders in a politically and culturally sensitive environment.
• Team player with outstanding personal attitude: especially sense of responsibility, diplomacy, concern for quality, result orientation. 
• Outstanding personal values: integrity, commitment, respect for diversity, patience, and sense of humour. 

DKH has a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, fraud, and related malpractices. The Program manager in Protection and MHPSS is expected to hold DKH and partners to account, report any suspected case, identify potential risks and ensure required accountability processes are in-place; 

 DKH reserves the right to alter the responsibilities according to programmatic demands and needs in line with the objectives of the country programme.

To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three professional references to   Відправити резюме . Please indicate "Program Manager for Protection and MHPSS" in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until 15 of November , 2024.

DKH Ukraine is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.