About InterAction:

 

InterAction is the largest coalition of U.S.-based international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) focused on the world’s poor and most vulnerable people. Collectively, InterAction’s 190 + members work in every developing country. Members meet people halfway in expanding opportunities and supporting gender equality in education, health care, agriculture, small business, and other areas.

About the Position:

Working within the Humanitarian Policy and Practice Team (HPPT), the Program Associate for Protection will provide administrative support to InterAction’s Working Groups on general policy and programming issues related to protection of refugees, internally displaced persons and others affected by humanitarian conflict. The Program Associate will work with senior HPPT staff to advance the goals and objectives of InterAction through the coordination of events and advocacy strategies of pertinence to InterAction’s membership.   

Key Responsibilities

• Support the activities of the Humanitarian Policy and Practice Committee (HPPC) related to policy and programming issues concerning protection of refugees, internally displaced persons and others affected by humanitarian conflict. Primary responsibility will be for supporting activities of InterAction’s Protection Working Group, Gender Based Violence (GBV) Sub-Working Group, and, as necessary, the Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Sub-Working Group, as well as future working groups as decided by HPPT senior management.
• As a member of InterAction’s HPPT, work in collaboration with InterAction’s other teams.

General Responsibilities

• Organize working group meetings and briefings, including scheduling and advertising meetings, preparing materials, arranging room space and refreshments, and maintaining RSVP lists. Staff meetings, take notes to be disseminated following meetings and report out on meetings as needed.
• In conjunction with supervisor and working group co-chairs, coordinate development of working group Terms of References, annual work plans and other documents to ensure systematic operations. Work closely with working group co-chairs to ensure timely management of working group activities.
• Support HPPT senior management in coordination of meetings and liaison with representatives from the US Department of State’s Bureau for Populations, Refugees and Migration (PRM), USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the ECHA/ECPA UN and NGO Task Team on Protection from SEA and other US government and UN representatives on protection, GBV and SEA issues.
• Provide support to InterAction NGO member staff in a timely manner and with a customer service attitude.

·        Assist with grant report drafting as required.

·        Write articles for Monday Developments (InterAction’s monthly magazine) as needed or requested on key issues related to protection and/or the annual Forum. 

·        Maintain HPPC email lists for relevant sectors, particularly protection, GBV and SEA (as needed). Write, edit, vet, and disseminate emails for the lists from the HPPC email accounts. Maintain email list subscriptions.

·        Disseminate relevant information on protection, GBV and SEA issues through InterAction listserves.

·        Support the coordination and facilitation of drafting of advocacy statements, letters and policy papers on subjects of concern to the relevant working groups.

·        As part of an organization wide effort, play a role in organizing the annual InterAction Forum.

·        Maintain the relevant component of InterAction’s website, including selecting and posting documents, reports, press releases and other information of interest to InterAction membership and the general public.

·        Recruit, hire and supervise interns on an as needed basis.

·        Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Key External Working Relationships

InterAction members, U.S. Government representatives, U.N. representatives, donors, think tanks, other NGOs/NGO consortia, and the broad humanitarian community.

Personal Skills

·        Superior interpersonal, relationship-building and public communication skills

·        Ability to interact with others in a professional manner

·        Ability to work well independently with limited supervision; proactive and detail oriented

·        Excellent planning, organizational and administrative skills

·        Ability to prioritize tasks while demonstrating ability to communicate effectively with colleagues of varied work styles

·        Ability and desire to work under pressure and tight deadlines

·        Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively

·        Ability to understand the larger picture while remaining focused on details

·        Even temperament and good sense of humor are appreciated

·        Strong verbal and written communication skills

·        Excellent customer service skills