Protection Coordinator At Danish Refugee Council

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and displaced people around the world: we provide emergency aid to these people, we fight for their rights and we strengthen their opportunities for a better future. We work in areas affected by conflict, as well as along displacement routes, and within the countries in which refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive to achieve responsible and sustainable solutions. We work for the successful integration of vulnerable communities and, where possible, the realization of their wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown into an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 employees and 8,000 volunteers. Headquartered in Copenhagen, and present in 40 countries, the DRC is a non-governmental, non-profit, politically neutral and independent, non-denominational aid organization.

Our vision is a life with dignity for all displaced people around the world. All our efforts are based on our moral compass: humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty and transparency.

1 – Context

DRC was recently registered in Chad. We are beginning operations in the country and aim to expand them rapidly with the main objective of responding to the humanitarian crisis in the east of the country in close coordination with DRC in Sudan. Multi-country programming will also be explored in the south of the country in synergy with DRC Centrafrique and Cameroon.

DRC places a strong emphasis on partnership, localization and sustainable solutions, working towards equitable partnerships, effective coordination mechanisms and capacity building of national and local actors to effectively respond to urgent needs, and map the path to sustainable solutions. DRC is established in six countries in West and Central Africa and has a regional office in Dakar, Senegal.

2 – Position objective

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is looking for a dynamic and motivated Protection Coordinator to support the DRC program in Chad, supporting the Country Director in the development of the DRC program strategy in Chad through its support for the development of the portfolio in the protection sector, its local technical support to operational teams and the supervision of the implementation of the country’s protection strategy and the monitoring of financing opportunities. She/He will be required to represent the organization as part of their duties. She/He will ensure the quality of the DRC protection program in Chad by working closely with the project teams and the MEAL teams. She/He will support project managers in the management and monitoring of DRC partners in Chad, particularly on the training component.

The ideal candidate will need to adapt quickly and demonstrate strong analytical skills. He/She must demonstrate initiative and innovation while maintaining a practical and operational spirit, thus guaranteeing the relevance and quality of DRC’s protection strategy in Chad. She/he will be rigorous, motivated by the launch of a new operation. This is a unique opportunity to join a renowned international organization in a dynamic humanitarian context, and to build the protection strategy from the start of an operation.

3 – Responsibilities

As a Protection Coordinator, you are responsible for developing expertise in the protection sector and providing local technical support to operational teams through support for the rights of displaced people in their context of displacement, assistance to individual protection based on vulnerability, prevention of gender-based violence, monitoring of rights and awareness of rights, protection monitoring, etc.

1) Coordination and representation

• Responsible for coordinating the country’s protection strategy;
• Responsible for supporting the quality of the protection operations program in Chad;
• Technical manager for protection teams in the field;
• Act as the focal point for protection against sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) for DRC in Chad and, as such, set an example in safeguarding PSEA.
• Collaborate with internal and external technical experts on protection-related issues;
• Represent DRC at coordination meetings and relevant clusters;
• Coordinate with the Protection Cluster to ensure proper sharing of information;
• Ensure good representation and reputation of the protection sector at all levels;
• Disseminate internally information on developments in the sector at national level;
• Keep abreast of protection activities implemented by other organizations in Chad and ensure complementarity of DRC interventions, and evaluate referencing possibilities in collaboration with the head of mission;
• Coordinate with the technical referent at the regional level as well as with DRC counterparts in other countries in the region and beyond and actively participate in internal DRC workshops and events organized on topics related to protection

2) General programming and operations

• Develop/update the country’s protection strategy through a participatory approach and disseminate it to field teams;
• Ensure monitoring and technical supervision of the quality of protection interventions;
• Provide support to project managers in the implementation of the protection components of the program while ensuring compliance with the project proposal/logframe, budget, work plan and MEAL plan;
• Produce protection needs assessments, analyses, periodic reports and other quality protection-related documents in collaboration with the Protection Information Management (PIM) Manager;
• Conduct a capacity building and training needs assessment of program/protection teams and local DRC partners;
• Provide appropriate training;
• Support quality data collection and management for protection data in collaboration with the PIM specialist;
• Provide support to field teams in building the capacities of partner CSOs;
• Ensure the transversal integration of protection activities and the protection integration approach in other DRC sectors;
• Work closely with all relevant departments to ensure implementation of the DRC Code of Conduct and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Policy;
• Ensure that personal protection assistance and case management by DRC teams and partners respect DRC protection principles and minimum standards;

3) Program development

• Take the lead on the development of new protection projects and the development of project proposals in coordination with project managers, Area Managers, Country Director, Grant Trainee and the Support Services Manager;
• Contribute to the development of program work plans and budgets for new proposals;
• Contribute to the development of program monitoring tools for protection activities and ensure the capture of lessons learned;
• Ensure new proposals meet international and national protection group standards, DRC protection guidelines and other global best practices;
• Support the head of mission in managing relations with donors in order to obtain new funding for DRC programming in Chad;
• Contribute to program reports;
• External coordination and representation;
• Ensures coordination and representation upon request of national coordination, and cultivates good relations with key humanitarian actors – local and international – by regularly participating in technical and bilateral meetings;
• Ensure that all contacts with beneficiaries are conducted in a respectful and sensitive manner;
• If necessary, liaise with donors and work closely with partners on project updates, site visits and other communications;

These responsibilities are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs while respecting the overall role of the Protection Coordinator.

4 – Qualifications required

1) Qualifications required

• At least 5 years of practical experience in the humanitarian sector and in the theme of general protection or sectors specialized in protection, in particular GBV.
• Excellent knowledge of protection issues in an emergency context and protection guidelines and principles.
• Master’s degree in Legal Science, Interventional Development, Gender/Protection Studies or other relevant field
• Any other relevant professional training in protection matters.
• Proven experience in program planning and proposal development, including budgeting.
• Previous experience in developing protection strategies and producing technical guidance related to protection components.
• Experience in working with local partners, local authorities and other INGOs within a consortium.
• Full professional command of French, including excellent writing skills.
• Experience as a trainer.
• Very good knowledge of humanitarian principles
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills
• Ability to cope with heavy workloads and work under pressure
• Highly motivated, results-oriented and creative in problem solving
• Computer knowledge in Microsoft Pack (Excel, Office, Outlook, etc.)
• Good understanding and commitment to DRC values.

2) Desired qualifications

• Previous work experience in West and Central Africa
• Mastery of Arabic
• Expertise in GBV would be an asset.

5 – Skills and qualities required

• In this position, you must demonstrate the five DRC essential skills, namely:
  • Strive for excellence: you focus on achieving results while ensuring an efficient process. You strive to produce accurate, thorough and professional work with optimal use of time and effort.
  • Collaborate: You cooperate with and involve relevant parties, actively seeking their opinions and sharing key information with them. You support and trust others, while encouraging feedback.
  • Take the reins: You take responsibility and prioritize your work based on DRC’s overall vision and goals. You take the initiative when faced with a challenge or opportunity and you seek innovative solutions.
  • Communicate: You write and speak effectively and honestly while adapting your style and tone to the situation. You actively listen to others and involve them in dialogue.
  • Demonstrate integrity: You respect and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values ​​and code of conduct, including protection against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment .
• Ability to work in a multicultural and cosmopolitan environment
• Proactivity, with a cooperative and collaborative approach
• Excellent communication skills (including attentiveness and patience) are required
• Good organizational skills are required
• Exemplary sense of ethics
• Ability to work in a team and good sense of humor

6 – General regulations

• The Employee must comply with DRC requirements regarding security, confidentiality and ethics, including compliance with the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• The Employee must not be engaged in another job during his employment contract with DRC without requesting prior authorization from his manager
• The Employee must not engage in any activity that is detrimental to DRC or the implementation of its projects during his employment contract with DRC.
• The Employee must not give interviews to the media or share content related to projects, without prior authorization
• The Employee must return any equipment or property of DRC to DRC at the end of his employment contract.