Consultant: Embedding Protection Risk Analysis in the Humanitarian Project Cycle

About InterAction 

InterAction is the largest U.S.-based alliance of international non-government organizations (NGOs) and partners. Celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, we mobilize our Members to think and act collectively to serve the world’s poor and vulnerable, with a shared belief that we can make the world a more peaceful, just and prosperous place – together. Using our collective voice and convening power, we seek to shape important policy decisions and actions across a wide range of issues – including foreign assistance, humanitarian relief, development, economic equity, food security, and climate change.

Our Members are premier international global development, humanitarian, and sector-supporting organizations that work in almost every country and manage more than $15.4 billion in programs annually. InterAction’s revenue comes from dues, government, private foundation and corporate grants, and fee-for-service programs. Additional information can be found at www.interaction.org.

Position Description

 

Position Summary

Position Title: Consultant: Embedding Protection Risk Analysis in the Humanitarian Project Cycle Position Type: Part-time, short-term Location: Home-based/working remotely (estimated 60 days of work to be undertaken between June 3 and December 31, 2024) Travel: TBD Reporting to: Director – Protection

 

Background

In 2016 the IASC instituted the Policy on Protection In Humanitarian Action which requires that a system-wide response to the reduction of protection risk. In 2021, an Independent Review team was appointed to report on the implementation of this. Between December 2022, and June 2024, a task force – co-chaired by InterAction and UNHCR - was established by the IASC to operationalize the findings of the review, resulting in an Action Plan, endorsed by the IASC Principals in November 2023. One key question, however, remains unanswered by the Action Plan; How does the Centrality of Protection relate to the key strategic processes in the humanitarian project cycle?

 

 

Consultancy 

Working closely with InterAction’s Director for Protection, the consultant will engage with the key humanitarian bodies and technical experts, as well as the policies and procedures that compose the humanitarian project cycle with a view to identifying how best to ensure the prioritization of protection risk reduction  across the full spectrum of humanitarian project planning and resource mobilization.

 

Responsibilities

1. Inception Report 

• Engage with key peers and allies, to identify;
  1. Where protection risks are already considered/included in the humanitarian project cycle;
  2. Key opportunities and barriers to the integration of protection risk analysis into the humanitarian project cycle (including existing initiatives and exercises);
• Working with project lead, develop a project inception report, including
  1. Prioritization of key project cycle processes, as well as the institutions and individuals responsible for those;
  2. A proposed timeframe and sequence of engagement with those institutions and individuals;
  3. Proposed modalities for engagement (including workshops, KIIs etc.)

 

1. Convene discussions with stakeholders: 

• Convene a serries of thematic workshops, moderated discussions, and KIIs (as appropriate and feasible) to tease out key opportunities and barriers, and to identify the changes in policy and practice that would be needed to embed protection risk reduction (including analysis, prioritization and collective planning) in existing project cycle processes.

 

1. Final report and recommendations: 
   • Consolidate key findings and make recommendations as to the critical changes (policy and or practice) needed to achieve the centralization of protection risk reduction within humanitarian project cycle planning, as well as the opportunities and barriers to achieving these changes.

 

Minimum Qualifications 

• 10 + years of operational experience implementing humanitarian programming (humanitarian leadership experience strongly preferred);
• Strong familiarity with the humanitarian project cycle, and key related processes and mechanisms;
• Strong familiarity with the IASC Protection Policy, as well as the findings and implications of the Independent Review of the Implementation of the IASC Protection Policy;
• Strong networks amongst global humanitarian leadership (bodies and individuals);
• Familiarity with current policy and practice regarding protection in emergencies;
• Superior research and writing skills, including an ability to synthesize large amounts of information quickly, and write clearly and succinctly about complex ideas;
• Strong conceptual and analytical thinking with an ability to identify issues, distill, and communicate complex ideas;
• Ability to pro-actively pursue objectives and activities through inter-personal and inter-agency collaboration;
• Strong on-line facilitation skills to support interagency discussions and to manage diverse perspectives and recommendations;
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and manage time and competing demands effectively while working under pressure with tight deadlines;
• Able to balance the need to work independently while collaborating closely with other team members;

Expected Start Date 

June 3, 2024

Reports to 

Director - Protection

Travel 

TBD (possibility of some limited travel)

In addition 

InterAction is an equal opportunity employer that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. InterAction does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, and individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws.

There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. InterAction will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

InterAction does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of InterAction and InterAction will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

To Apply 

Applicants are encouraged to apply before May 31, 2024.

Please submit a cover letter and resume. All applications must be submitted through ADP for consideration. Incomplete applications will not be considered.