The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in over 40 countries to provide appropriate assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, people on the move, and vulnerable local populations/host communities. Currently, as part of the emergency response to the earthquake, DRC is seeking a highly qualified Protection Officer based in Santa Bárbara del Zulia, Venezuela.
About the job:
DRC manages its operations in Venezuela through its country office in Caracas and three field offices located in the states of Sucre, Apure, and Zulia. DRC Venezuela implements protection monitoring, legal assistance, individual protection assistance for persons with specific needs (PWSN), information sessions for persons of concern (PoC), prevention of human trafficking, and food security initiatives.
General objective of the position:
Under the supervision of the Protection Team Leader (Zulia), the Protection Assistant will support the on-the-ground implementation of all protection objectives under DRC projects. The Protection Assistant will develop and maintain good relationships with persons of concern, relevant stakeholders, and other humanitarian actors to support the proper implementation and coordination of DRC protection activities in the intervention area. They will also support the implementation of differential approaches, particularly those related to age, gender, and diversity, in protection activities.
Responsibilities:
- To contribute efficiently to the implementation of the protection project in the municipalities south of Lake Maracaibo in the state of Zulia in accordance with the agreed objectives.
- Implement periodic Protection Monitoring in the intervention communities, including the collection of quantitative and qualitative data on protection needs/risks through interviews with family units, focus groups and key informants.
- Contribute to strengthening the age, gender and diversity approach in protection actions and responses.
- Support the systematic identification and documentation of the specific protection needs and risks of the most vulnerable people in the intervention communities – through Protection Monitoring, information activities carried out in the communities and other means – in order to refer and/or provide a timely response to the persons of concern.
- Participate in the Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) Committee, and contribute to response plans that address the specific protection needs of the cases, and support the delivery plans for assistance and/or referrals to specialized internal and/or external services.
- Handle confidential information correctly, in accordance with DRC’s data protection policies, managing protection files accurately, correctly, and completely.
- Support in the collection of information for the preparation of reports, reports, and inputs produced by Protection Monitoring.
- To ensure the highest quality of protection interventions and consistency between all projects, both ongoing and proposed, in accordance with the overall strategy.
- Support in guiding persons of concern according to protection routes, mapping of services and humanitarian and institutional actors.
- Support in the organization and facilitation of focus groups and information sessions on protection issues.
- To support and assist, in conjunction with the supervisory line, in the development of legal activities in accordance with the objectives and goals.
- Participate under supervision in individual advice on the main legal needs identified.
- Accompany beneficiaries to public institutions as needed.
- Participate in training and feedback sessions on protection actions.
- Participate collaboratively in the actions of the protection team and other areas.
- Actively participate in team meetings by providing input, challenges, and lessons learned.
- Contribute to the development of standard operating procedure tools.
Programming and Operations
- Ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the assigned programmatic activities, while the work plan.
- Assist in the preparation of monthly reports and budgets.
Experience and skills:
- Minimum 1 year of relevant experience in humanitarian protection, social work, human rights or other similar field work, related to an NGO or other non-profit organization.
- Field experience and experience working with urban, and/or rural, and/or indigenous communities.
- Experience and ability to interview people of all ages, genders, and diversity.
- Good skills in working with tablets and computers.
- Good skills in MS Word and Excel.
- Willingness and ability to learn.
Education:
Relevant University Degree in Logistics and/or Supply Chain Management or equivalent professional qualification.
We offer:
- The opportunity to belong to one of the best NGOs worldwide.
- Access to over 1,000 free online training courses and certificates.
- Contract duration: 6 months with possibility of extension depending on budget availability.
- Salary: Band I.
- HCM insurance fully covered by the organization.
- National contracting.
DRC Core Competencies:
- Achieving excellence : focusing on achieving results and ensuring efficient processes.
- Collaboration: involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Taking the initiative : taking ownership and initiative while seeking innovation.
- Communicate: listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstration of integrity : Act in accordance with DRC’s vision and values.
Application process: All applicants must upload a cover letter (max. 1 page) and an updated CV ( max. 2 pages, no supporting documents ) in Spanish to the DRC job platform. Applications submitted by email will not be considered.
Application deadline : Wednesday, October 14th at 11:59 pm Local Time. Please note that applications will be reviewed continuously and interviews will be scheduled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the position before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.
Start date: October 2026
Use:
- We reserve the right to close the vacancy before the indicated application closing date.
- The vacancy is subject to project approval and availability of funds.
- Due to an emergency hiring process, DRC is not obligated to send rejection notices to candidates who are not considered in the process.
How to apply
Link to Application Form
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