Програмний/а менеджер/ка з питань захисту та ПЗПСП / Program Manager for Protection and MHPSS

Location:        Kyiv, with travels to partner offices and project locations in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Romania
Period:            2 years, extendable

Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe (DKH) is a German non-government organization that renders humanitarian aid in 31 countries across the world. DKH supports people who are affected by natural disasters, war and displacement and who are not able to cope on their own in the emergency situation they find themselves in. The work is guided by the Humanitarian Principles and the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS). DKH focuses on locally-led responses by working through a global network of partner organizations. Fostering localized humanitarian action and an equal partnership approach lies at the very core of our work.

As DKH is not directly implementing humanitarian projects in Ukraine, it is committed to equitable and long-term partnerships, which strengthen local partner organizations’ administrative and technical capacities. DKH constantly seeks to facilitate mutual learning and capacity exchange, identify innovative and tailored models of cooperation, and shift power to partners and communities through the transfer of decision-making opportunities.  

DKH is part of the Evangelisches Werk fur Diakonie und Entwicklung e.V. (EWDE), an umbrella organization with a nationwide established Social Service Agency, one of the biggest welfare institutions in Germany.

DKH is opening its representation in Ukraine to work with government agencies, national partner organizations, and the wider humanitarian community to provide emergency response and resilience-building initiatives across the country. 

DKH is already implementing humanitarian projects with selected civil society organisations in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Currently, large-scale programming is ongoing and more projects are in preparation stage. The DKH Representation will be operating from its office in Kyiv.

Taking into account the elevated risks resulting from hostilities in certain regions of Ukraine and the volatile security situation in the whole of the country staff must comply with all DKH safety/security and safeguarding policies and procedures. 

PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT

The Program manager for Protection and MHPSS plays a key role in strategic planning,  partnership management in the Protection and MHPSS area, tailored technical support to the partner organisations (POs). It is a continuous effort to reinforce the relations with the local partner organisations and strengthen their capacities in Protection and MHPSS area while ensuring quality standards.

Reporting to the Head of Program Partnership, the Program Manager will contribute to relevant program and country strategies, as well as the design of new projects/programs with protection and MHPSS components. In close coordination with the DKH Ukraine team and the Head of Program and Partnership, the Program Manager will provide technical and programmatic support to POs in Ukraine, Poland, Romania and Moldova to deliver protection services and MHPSS to affected populations. The Program Manager will ensure partners achieve project targets with highest technical standards, regularly monitor, support and report project activities. Other important aspects of the role include managing and training staff to meet international standards in protection, mental health and psychosocial support services; encouraging beneficiary participation and empowerment; liaising with relevant stakeholders; participating in key coordination mechanisms; mainstream protection principles and safeguarding standards into other sectors in partners’ projects. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting: The Program manager in Protection and MHPSS will report directly to the Head of Program and Partnership.

Responsibilities: The following tasks shall be fulfilled.

Program Development and Quality Management

• Conducting protection risk analysis on  the current situation (including MHPSS, child protection, GBV, IHL,) in each country and identifying trend, patterns and  to inform  partners in designing the appropriate  protection interventions in lineS in-country protection risks and related gaps
• Technically assist Protection and MHPSS needs assessments and identify risks and vulnerabilities, including those related to gender, age, and diversity
• Setting up vulnerability criteria and beneficiary identification system to be contextualized for each country
• Assist partners in setting up a protection monitoring mechanism and Information management systems including  data collection, analysis, storage and storage system (using ODK, Kobo or other) for protection and MHPSS activities
• Assist partners in setting up a protection monitoring systems to monitor trends and patterns
• Support partners and Project Coordinators in drafting protection and MHPSS concept notes, proposalsand budgets
• Support the organization of inception meetings, kick off workshops, and partner review sessions which include protection and MHPSS components, follow up the relevant action plans
• Ensure all protection and MHPSS interventions are implemented according to the proposal, logical framework, work plans and budgetReview relevant reports and provide feedback to the partners
• In close coordination with MEAL Expert, assist partners in developing a robust monitoring and evaluation system for all protection operations

Conduct periodic field visits to assist partners with programmatic quality and programmatic donor compliance

• Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for protection activities and MHPSS when relevant and necessary, adopt existing SOPs and guidelines to specific contexts
• Ensure integration of data protection measures into all protection interventions
• Identify human resources required for protection and MHPSS activities in projects with partners, assist partners in drafting or reviewing staff roles and responsibilities
• Ensure project activities have safeguarding standards in place, risk assessments and risk mitigations are done in a timely manner

Protection and MHPSS Strategic Planning

• Develop Protection and MHPSS Strategy for the Ukraine crisis region based on empirical protection and MHPSS needs and priorities
• Overseeing that country operations are run in line with the Protection and MHPSS Strategy
• Following the evolving context, humanitarian needs, and gaps in the region and planning for the longer term of protection and MHPSS programming in the region

Supervision of Protection and MHPSS Interventions

• Support Project Coordinators and partners in their management and implementation of protection interventions
• Setting up a system for following the overall progress of protection interventions in each country
• Conducting monitoring visits to countries as needed, organize ad hoc or regular meetings with partners if needed
• Providing support in protection related reports, upon request

Partner Capacity Support

• Assess partners on their capacity and needs regarding protection, MHPSS and safeguarding in a participatory manner
• Design and manage capacity strengthening framework for protection, MHPSS, protection mainstreaming and safeguarding for partners with most appropriate methodologies (training, coaching, providing resources, peer to peer support etc.) and monitoring tools for following the progress and measuring the impact of the capacity strengthening efforts of DKH UKR
• Support partners to mainstream protection in their activities through trainings and ad hoc support
• Support partners in mainstreaming safeguarding to their organization and activities
• Coordinating with Project Coordinators and partners in identifying the need for additional support for more specialized capacity strengthening of the partner in protection area.
• Where necessary, identify and involve external resources such as relevant external consultancies and services

Coordination and Representation

• Represent DKH in protection, MHPSS and other relevant cluster/Working Group meetings; 
• Ensure adherence to cluster/WG recommendations and country specific standards  
• Facilitate the attendance of local partner organisations in these meetings regularly and independently;
• Promote collaboration among all relevant stakeholders in the field, fostering linkages between DKH staff, local partner staff, targeted communities, local authorities and other actors 

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

QUALIFICATION, EXPERTISE, AND SKILLS 

• 4 years minimum experience in humanitarian or development sector
• Experience in working with vulnerable groups 
• University degree in social science, law, psychology, or another related field; MA/S or other related advanced degree preferred.
• demonstrated Understanding of humanitarian principles, and practices
• In-depth knowledge of international protection programming standard, principles and practices in humanitarian contexts, particularly Gender Based Violence, Psychosocial Support, Protection mainstreaming including familiarity with sector standards and best practice approachesStrong 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 and gender 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.
• Fluency in Ukrainian and English languages 
• 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 experience, knowledge and skills in capacity sharing approache including coaching and mentoring, active listener with ability 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
• 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. 

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES

DKH team members are expected to support all efforts for increased accountability towards the beneficiaries while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of projects.

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

APPLICATION

Kindly apply by sending your motivation letter and CV without any further attachments by email to the Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe in the Ukraine office [email protected], using the reference “Position / title Name_Surname”, in the subject of your e–mail. Further questions regarding the role kindly address [email protected].

Closing date:  30/12/23. Only candidates residing in the country will be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Diversity is important to us. We welcome applications from people regardless of their ethnic, national or social background, gender, disability, age or sexual identity.