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.
JOB OVERVIEW
Protection and Rule of Law Case Management Officer – Shadowing & Capacity Building will support partner organizations in the implementation of quality Protection Case Management services. The Officer provides mentoring, joint case management, technical guidance, capacity strengthening and quality assurance support to partner caseworkers operating in Donetsk oblast.
The position plays a key role in IRC’s localization strategy: through a structured, phased shadowing model, the Officer will directly manage protection cases in the initial phase, modelling best practices in risk-based case management while progressively transferring responsibilities to partner caseworkers.
During the initial phase of project implementation, mentoring and technical support may be provided remotely. As operational access and security conditions permit, the Officer will progressively transition to regular in-person shadowing, joint case management and field support visits.
The Protection and Rule of Law Case Management Officer – Shadowing & Capacity Building will work closely with partner caseworkers to strengthen technical skills, promote adherence to Protection Case Management international standards and IRC SOPs, and ensure quality, client-centered service delivery.
The Protection and Rule of Law Case Management Officer – Shadowing & Capacity Building will be supervised by the Protection Case Management Manager and will conduct regular field visits to partner organizations. Initially, the position will be based in Kharkiv oblast, providing in-person support to partner activities there and remote technical support to case management activities in Donetsk region. Should the security situation and IRC protocols allow in the future, the Officer will be expected to travel to Donetsk to provide in-person partner support, with an estimated time split of up to 50% in each location.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Case Management and Shadowing
Identify, assess and manage protection cases in accordance with Protection Case
Management standards and IRC procedures
- Conduct intake, protection risk assessments, safety planning, case planning, referrals, follow-up and case closure for assigned cases, ensuring interventions are tailored to identified protection risks, vulnerabilities and client priorities.
- Lead case management interventions during the initial phases of the shadowing cycle while gradually involving partner caseworkers in all stages of case management.
- Conduct joint case management activities with partner caseworkers and systematically facilitate the progressive transfer of case responsibilities in line with the agreed shadowing phases and partner readiness.
- Model best practices in risk assessment, risk mitigation, case planning, documentation, ethical decision-making and client-centered approaches.
- Provide technical guidance to partner caseworkers on the identification, analysis and management of protection risks, including complex and high-risk cases.
- Partner Capacity Building and Quality Assurance
- Provide mentoring, coaching and technical support to partner caseworkers throughout all phases of the shadowing process, maintaining mentoring logs and session plans.
- Facilitate on-the-job learning through case debriefs, role-play exercises and reflective practice sessions, and provide regular feedback to strengthen partner caseworkers’ technical competencies.
- Conduct regular case file reviews (minimum bi-weekly) using standardized review checklists; provide written and verbal feedback to partner caseworkers and escalate quality concerns to the Case Management Manager.
- Support partner caseworkers in consistently applying protection principles (including Do No Harm, confidentiality, informed consent and safeguarding requirements), case management standards and ethical decision-making throughout the case management process.
- Monitor compliance with Protection Case Management standards, internal SOPs, safeguarding, accountability and reporting requirements.
- Support quality assurance processes, including documentation reviews and periodic audits, and ensure QA findings directly inform partner capacity-building plans and are documented for project learning.
- Identify areas for improvement, provide recommendations and action plans, and track implementation with the Case Management Manager to strengthen the quality of case management services delivered by partners.
- Identify capacity gaps through ongoing observation and case file reviews and communicate learning needs to the Case Management Manager and PRoL Manager.
- Introduce, adapt and systematize supervision tools and best practices in collaboration with partner caseworkers and their supervisors, including supervision checklists, reflective practice frameworks and case discussion protocols.
Coordination and Reporting
- Coordinate closely with the Case Management Manager, PRoL Manager, Protection Supervisor, Protection Officers, Advocacy officers and other technical staff to ensure consistent support to partners.
- Support the PRoL Manager with service mapping and referral pathway updates.
- Maintain accurate records of mentoring activities, case file reviews and quality assurance findings in line with data protection and confidentiality protocols.
- Prepare weekly and monthly reports on partner progress, mentoring activities and quality assurance outcomes.
- Contribute to project monitoring, learning and reporting requirements.
- Proactively flag implementation risks, capacity blockers and escalation needs to the PRoL Manager.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Law, Human Rights, International Development or another relevant field.
Experience
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience in Protection Case Management.
- Demonstrated experience providing technical supervision, mentoring or coaching to case workers.
- Experience conducting trainings and capacity-strengthening activities.
- Experience working with local partners, NGOs or community-based organizations is highly desirable.
- Experience with case file review, quality assurance processes and implementation of case management standards.
- Experience working in humanitarian settings is required.
- Experience working in hard-to-reach, frontline or high-risk operational contexts is highly desirable.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies
- Strong knowledge of Protection Case Management principles, methodologies and international standards.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, PSEA, accountability to affected populations (AAP) and protection principles.
- Strong facilitation, coaching and mentoring skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to provide constructive feedback and support professional development in a respectful and empowering manner.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
- Ability to adapt case management and mentoring approaches to remote and constrained-access operational environments.
- Computer literacy, including Microsoft Office applications.
- Language: Fluency in Ukrainian, both written and spoken. Knowledge of English is an asset.
REPORTING STRUCTURE AND TEAM COLLABORATION
- Position Reports to: PRoL Manager.
- Technical oversight: Protection Case Management Manager.
- Internal collaborations within IRC: Protection Senior Manager, Protection Supervisor, Protection Caseworkers, Legal and Protection Officers, MEAL and Advocacy Officers.
- External collaborations: Partner organizations, protection actors, local NGOs, service providers and relevant coordination mechanisms.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
- This role requires regular travel to partner organizations and field locations.
- Regular travel to partner locations in Donetsk oblast may be required, subject to security conditions and access approvals.
- The position may initially require a combination of remote mentoring and periodic field visits, with increased field presence as operational conditions permit.
- Occasional overnight travel may be required.
- Full-time position.
- Work in a dynamic and fast-paced humanitarian environment.
- Occasional weekend work may be required depending on operational needs.
- Flexible working arrangements may be available in accordance with IRC policies.
- Staff can ask for accommodation of a workplace. Specific requests can be discussed with HR.
IRC employees are eligible to the following benefits:
- Competitive salary
- Purposeful job and development opportunities
- English classes and unlimited online training courses
- Life Insurance
- Medical insurance for staff and family members
- Free psychological support to employees and their family members
- 30 calendar days of annual vacation with flexibility beyond the legally set minimum requirements
- Up to 10 days of paid medical leave
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.
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