Protection Assistant (x2)

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its safety unit, has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally. Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria.

Overall purpose of the role

The Protection Assistant, reporting to the Protection Team Leader and with the support of the Protection Officers, is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of various protection activities in the field locations under his/her responsibility. These include Protection Monitoring, referrals and follow up of referrals (including establishing referral pathways), identification of IPA beneficiaries and follow up of cases, psychosocial support activities, and supervision of protection casual workers.

The Protection Assistant will also be responsible for supporting in conducting needs assessments. He/she will support the preparation of protection activity reports and analysis, identifying and communicating protection concerns ng and programmatic needs in their targeted locations, supporting the protection officers in providing capacity building to key stakeholders, and the collection and management of project data ensuring the highest standards of data and information protection and confidentiality.

Job Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Protection Team leader, the holder of this position shall perform the following duties:

• Ensure the organization and the implementation of all protection activities at field level in accordance with the agreed work plan and the international standards
• Ensure the management of the field protection casual workers
• Prepare necessary activity and protection reports (weekly, monthly, ad hoc) as required
• Participate in conducting needs and programmatic assessments in targeted locations
• Identify and intervene on protection cases in the camps and host communities with technical support from their line manager
• Refer protection cases to partner agencies and seek to solicit services for them
• Ensure all protection activities and cases are individually documented, filed, protected, and up to date in Kobo
• Engage with communities directly and create awareness on human rights, child protection, SGBV, and other protection-related topics
• Assist the protection officers in training community members, partner staff and other local authorities on protection topics
• Identify protection trends as part of protection monitoring and bring this to the attention of the line manager for action planning
• Carry out advocacy and sensitization activities at the field level
• Participate in and actively recruit casual social workers as needed
• Conduct community meetings, focus group discussions, and other direct community activities as part of protection monitoring
• Monitor and account for DRC protection assets assigned to the field of operation
• Liaise with security staff in DRC to always keep up to date on the security situation of the field base
• Support r with itinerary planning for field visits by external staff and others

The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Essential Requirements.

• Diploma or bachelor’s degree in law, social sciences, social work, community development, psychology, sociology, education, counselling, human rights, and other relevant disciplines.
• 2 yrs. work experience in a humanitarian organization / with displacement affected populations or significant experience as a DRC Protection social and outreach worker.
• Knowledge of protection norms, principles, and activities
• Excellent communication skills (oral and writing)
• Professional fluency in English, Hausa is a must. Higgi and Marghi is an added advantage.
• Ability and willingness to maintain regular presence at project sites (remote / field sites) and to work during irregular working hours and in insecure environments.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills – self-motivated individuals, able to take initiative and propose solutions, resilient, positive, and able to work independently.
• Good understanding of the Northeast Nigeria operational context
• Must have basic level computer skills.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the protection activities such as protection monitoring, case management, psychosocial support services etc.
• Good IT skills (especially MS Office) and the use of Kobo Collect.
• Highly self-driven while striving for excellence under minimum supervision.

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position online: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

However, all applicants shall take into consideration that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to a citizen of the country of assignment (in this specific case, Nigeria)

Deadline for submission of applications: 29/08/2024.