Protection Officer-1

Job Overview

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking a dedicated Protection Officer-1 to strengthen humanitarian responses across Uganda. This role is pivotal in ensuring that vulnerable populations receive safe, dignified, and confidential support during crises. You will lead protection interventions in assigned settlements, coordinating with multiple partners to safeguard lives and uphold human rights. The Protection Officer-1 operates at the frontline of IRC’s cash-plus model, ensuring protection is integrated from the first point of contact. You will supervise case workers, community volunteers, and consortium partners while maintaining high standards of survivor-centered care. This position requires strong coordination skills and a deep commitment to humanitarian principles in complex emergency settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day delivery of protection activities in assigned settlements, ensuring alignment with IRC’s ReSET framework and consortium agreements.
• Provide technical supervision and guidance to protection case workers and community-based protection volunteers, fostering professional growth and accountability.
• Conduct comprehensive protection monitoring across settlements, identifying risks and coordinating timely interventions for survivors of violence.
• Ensure all referrals are systematically followed through until recipients access required services, maintaining detailed case documentation and closure records.
• Coordinate with OPM, UNHCR, district authorities, and sector working groups to align protection responses with national and international standards.
• Facilitate community-based protection initiatives, empowering local actors to identify and address protection concerns within their communities.
• Oversee protection overrides in cash assistance programs, ensuring interventions do not exacerbate vulnerabilities or create new risks for beneficiaries.
• Develop and maintain robust reporting mechanisms, capturing protection incidents, responses, and outcomes for donor and stakeholder accountability.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Human Rights, Law, International Development, or a related field, demonstrating academic foundation in protection principles.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in protection work within humanitarian settings, preferably in refugee or IDP contexts in East Africa or similar regions.
• Proven track record of coordinating multi-stakeholder protection interventions, working effectively with government agencies, UN partners, and local organizations.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to write clear, concise reports and present complex protection concepts to diverse audiences.

Desirable

• Master’s degree in Human Rights, International Law, or Social Work, enhancing technical expertise and leadership credibility in protection roles.
• Previous experience working with IRC or similar international NGOs, showing familiarity with humanitarian coordination structures and programming methodologies.
• Fluency in English and a local Ugandan language, facilitating effective communication with communities, partners, and government officials at all levels.
• Certification in GBV case management or child protection, demonstrating specialized skills in supporting survivors of gender-based violence and protecting children in emergencies.

What the Role Offers

• Competitive salary package with housing allowance, transport reimbursement, and meal provisions, reflecting Uganda’s cost of living and market standards for humanitarian professionals.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage including medical, dental, and vision benefits, ensuring access to quality healthcare for you and your dependents across Uganda.
• Professional development opportunities including training budgets, conference attendance, and mentorship programs to advance your career in humanitarian protection work.
• Flexible working arrangements with reasonable travel requirements, supporting work-life balance while meeting operational needs in remote settlement locations.
• Retirement benefits and long-term career progression within IRC’s global network, offering stability and growth opportunities in the international humanitarian sector.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please prepare your updated CV detailing relevant protection experience, a cover letter explaining your interest in this role and how your skills align with the requirements, and copies of any professional certificates or academic transcripts. Submit your application through the official IRC recruitment portal, ensuring all documents are clearly labeled and in PDF format. Please apply now by clicking the link below.

About the Company

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, responding to the worst crises globally since its founding in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein. IRC operates in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, providing essential services to people devastated by conflict and disaster. In Uganda, IRC implements comprehensive programs including cash assistance, protection, health, education, and economic recovery, working closely with government partners and local communities to build resilience and restore dignity. The organization values diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that our workforce reflects the communities we serve and that all employees feel respected, supported, and empowered to make a difference.

Follow @jobsinkampala on X for daily Uganda job updates!