The Danish Refugee Council/Danish Demining Group (DRC/DDG) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide adequate assistance with a rights-based approach to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees and migrants. DRC/DDG is currently looking for a highly qualified Spanish and English-speaking Protection Manager for a 6-month contract (renewable depending on funding and performance) in Colombia. This is an opportunity for an experienced Protection professional to support DRC’s emergency response to the mixed migration flows in Colombia due to the Venezuela crisis. **
About the job
DRC/DDG has been present in Colombia since 2011 and in 2019 it began to upscale its operations due to large influx of migrants and refugees from Venezuela. DRC is currently implementing a protection focused humanitarian response for refugees and migrants in four cities in Colombia (Riohacha, Barranquilla, Medellin and Bogota) and a response to the population affected by armed conflict in Nariño and Norte de Satander. DRC also co-leads the national protection working group as well as local protection working groups in Riohacha, Barranquilla, Medellín and Bogotá, under national coordination structure GIFMM (Grupo Interagencial de Flujos Migratios Mixtos). DRC´s protection programming includes protection monitoring, individual protection assistance/cash for protection, legal aid, case management, GBV response and prevention and community-based protection.
The Protection Manager – Medellin (PM-MED) will be based in Medellin and be responsible for the overall management and supervision of DRC´s protection program in Medellin, including protection monitoring, legal aid, and case management. The incumbent will also co-lead the protection working group (Antioquia) with UNHCR. The PM-MED will be directly supervised by the Area Manager and technically by the Country Protection Coordinator based in Bogota.
Main responsibilities
• Supervise, coordinate, plan and monitor all protection related project activities in the area of responsibility (protection monitoring, individual protection assistance, legal aid and case management);
• Ensure affective implementation of DRC protection monitoring program including coordination with DRC´s information management unit and drafting analytical protection reports;
• Supervise DRC´s legal aid program in Medellin and coordinate with legal aid actors in the area of responsibility;
• Supervise and ensure the highest quality of the case management program;
• Co-lead the local protection working group with UNHCR;
• Supervise 3 Team Leaders and provide overall management of 18 staff protection staff (5 protection monitoring, 7 legal aid, 6 case management);
• Liaise permanently with the Head of Office, Area Manager and the Country Protection Coordinator to ensure coherence with DRC´s national protection strategy;
• Liaise with key humanitarian actors and local State institutions such as the Human Rights Ombudsman, The Migration Office, and local authorities such as the Mayor´s office among others in the area of responsibility;
• Provide on the job training for protection staff,
• Provide input for donor reports and proposals;
• Provide overall protection budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control for the project activities, including compliance with minimum DRC and donor requirements.
Program development and strategy
• Oversee knowledge sharing across teams, and ensure that monitoring and evaluation results are understood and used to improve programs;
Accountability and reporting
• Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives within relevant project program as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of activities;
• Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement;
People Management.
• Lead and manage project staff members including coaching, ensuring coordination, recruitment, and capacity development;
• Provide on the job training as much as required and adapt trainings/coaching to specific staff needs;
As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:
• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility;
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources;
Roles reporting to this position Reports to
Protection Project staff Head of Office – Medellín
Technical Line Manager: Country Protection Coordinator
Required experience and competencies
• A minimum 5 years of proven protection experience with an international NGO or the UN or similar. Candidates without this minimum requirement will not considered for the position;
• Proven experience in implementing protection activities in Colombia and in the region;
• At least 2 years’ experience of people management;
• Excellent writing and editing skills for external audiences (including governments and donors);
• Experience in producing high-quality technical material (training material, program tools, proposals, strategic documents etc.);
• Excellent reporting and protection analysis skills;
· Calm and diplomatic in nature;
· Ability to manage competing priorities and to meet deadlines;
· Effective team-player and problem solver;
· Fluent oral and written Spanish and English is required
Desired:
· Experience working in diverse setting contexts preferably in the Latin America context.
· Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent). A relevant combination of academic qualifications and extensive experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
· Knowledge about the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis;
· Knowledge and experience of GBV minimum standards and GBV response in Colombia.
All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:
• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes;
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback;
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation;
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly;
• Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC’s vision and values.
Required education
· Master’s degree in Human Rights, Political Science, Forced Migration, Refugee Law, or any other relevant field.
· Or Bachelor’s degree in relevant fields with at least 4 years’ working experience in similar positions.
We offer
Contract length: National contract until 15 May 2022.
National staff salary level: F2 depending on experience
Start date: 15th November 2021
Application process
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in Spanish or English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
Closing date for applications**:** 1st November 2021 at 11:59 GMT-5
Please note that applications will be continuously reviewed and interviews will be scheduled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the vacancy before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.