Protection Officer Jobs – International Rescue Committee

Job Title: Protection Officer

Organisation: International Rescue Committee

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About Organisation:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education, and power.

Job Summary: The Protection Officer will be responsible for contributing to the delivery of lifesaving interventions for new arrivals and vulnerable populations through coordinated Protection, Multi-Purpose Cash Transfers (MPCT), and Epidemic Preparedness and Response (EPR), ensuring safe and accountable referrals. It supports gap-filling across points of entry, transit, reception centres, and high-caseload settlements, while promoting an area-based, “one team” approach that enhances efficiency, strengthens local partnerships, and enables adaptive responses to emerging crises such as influxes and disease outbreaks.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• In close cooperation with the Senior Protection Officer and other consortium members, the Protection Officer will:
• Lead protection program activities;
• Deliver technical support and guidance to the partner protection team;
• Ensure the quality of the planning, implementation, and follow-up of all technical aspects of the protection program activities being implemented;
• Develop and maintain good relations with forcibly displaced and stateless persons (FDSPs), relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of IRC’s sector activities.
• Protection monitoring, identification of protection concerns and facilitation access to services through the referral system to the beneficiaries;
• Individual protection assistance, awareness-raising, and advocacy for the rights of forcibly displaced and stateless persons.
• Contribute the project planning and implementation on the field level, monitor protection activities/projects to ensure alignment with implementation plans and quality standards.
• Document case studies, best practices, and lessons learned from the cases handled by the protection staff.
• Ensure protection case management is done according to established standards while respecting the principle of confidentiality. Identify, conduct and follow up referral.
• Carry out Protection monitoring, data collection and document the needs of the FDSPs.
• Monitor project outcomes and challenges, working with M&E officers to conduct field visits and provide timely updates.
• Develop mitigation strategies for potential challenges affecting project operations.
• Plan and participate in integrated awareness-raising sessions and information campaigns of the FDSPs, working closely with the Signpost team.
• Participate in joint assessments, identifying protection concerns and reporting.
• Support mapping of services and development of effective referral pathways working the Signpost Service Mapping team.
• Supports Volunteers in their integration and support to the clients at various service points.
• Oversee PSN needs/risk assessments and provide appropriate responses ‐ targeted assistance as necessary.
• Ensure all information gathered is managed according to established procedures and respects principles of confidentiality.
• Ensure good coordination with refugee leadership structures (RWCs, para social workers etc) and appropriate support provided.

Communication/Reporting

• Proactively contributes to the quality and timely drafting of weekly and monthly reports.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Contribute to the daily quality implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and interventions.
• Identify, document and disseminate relevant project success, challenges and follow up on implementation of project’s action points.
• Assist in participatory needs/vulnerability/capacity and risk assessments of affected communities.
• On request, perform any other additional duties assigned by the supervisors in order to allow the organization to function optimally.
• Coordination and representation
• Collaborate with relevant internal and external technical experts on protection sector-relevant issues.
• Represent IRC in protection meetings and all coordination platforms as required and draft relevant minutes and communicate as required.
• Ensure integration with other IRC sectors.
• Maintain strong relationships with local partners, government authorities, and humanitarian actors to enhance collaboration and effective implementation.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• University degree, preferably in Social work, sociology, law, Human Rights, or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification in the same field is desirable.
• 5 years of experience in protection programming, including GBV, Child Protection, or Protection Monitoring.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, such as New arrivals, Asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants, in displacement settings.
• Proven ability to work in teams, interpret budgets, and coordinate with multi-stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of protection principles, safeguarding practices, and durable solutions.
• Proficiency in designing and delivering training programs for staff and stakeholders.
• Excellent report writing, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Financial acumen, including budget development and expenditure monitoring.
• Ability to represent the organization effectively in meetings with local authorities and stakeholders.
• Strong communication, representation, and people-centered management skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and make sound decisions.
• NB: This advert will close on 10th May 2026.

How to Apply:

All suitably qualified and Interested applicants should apply online at the link below.

This vacancy has closed — applications are no longer acceptedApplications closedSee open jobs at International Rescue Committee (IRC) →

Deadline: 10th May 2026

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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Level of Education: bachelor degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60