Protection Officer At Danish Refugee Council

TERMS OF REFERENCE

VACANCY: PROTECTION OFFICER (TAPACHULA, CHIAPAS)

INTRODUCTION

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in over 40 countries to provide rights-based assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, returnees and other people on the move, as well as vulnerable local populations/host communities.

CONTEXT

Since 2020, DRC has implemented activities in Mexico, to progressively contribute to the humanitarian response to the migration crisis on both borders of the country and to address people affected by internal displacement.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION

Implement protection activities with people on the move, in accordance with the objectives of the protection program in DRC Mexico, and the indicators and goals of the protection projects. Contribute to the protection analysis and the design of protection interventions and associated tools at the base and in the country operation.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under the direction of the Base Manager for the DRC office in Tapachula, the Protection Officer will implement on-site protection monitoring activities, individualized protection assistance, and information dissemination, in accordance with DRC standard operating procedures (SOPs), and will support the implementation of other humanitarian assistance modalities, in direct and close contact with persons of concern. This involves field work, in formal and informal accommodation spaces for the population of concern, in compliance with the security and internal coordination guidelines of the base. The Protection Officer will work closely with other members of the base’s Protection Team and will be part of the DRC Mexico Protection Unit.

Responsibilities:

Implementation of Protection Activities

• Develop knowledge and understanding of the IASC guidelines for protection work; DRC’s global protection policies; and DRC Mexico’s standard operating procedures on protection monitoring, information dissemination, and individualized protection assistance, among others.
• Conduct awareness-raising and dissemination activities with the population of interest and other actors at the local level to identify potential beneficiaries of protection services.
• Implement assigned protection activities in line with SOPs and internal operation guidelines, including Protection Monitoring (the collection of qualitative and quantitative data and insights through household-level surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews), the dissemination of protection information in project intervention areas, individualized protection assistance, and the implementation of timely referrals for specialized support, among others, in accordance with a work plan to be developed with the Base Manager.
• Develop tools for information dissemination activities and informational material for persons of interest, under the supervision of the technical protection representative
• Alert the Base Manager to any concerns related to the implementation of DRC protection activities on base.
• Implement administrative and financial procedures, as required, to make purchases and other processes necessary for the implementation of protection activities, in accordance with the organization’s guidelines and standards.
• Ensure timely and accurate recording of all protection activities in the formats and systems established by the operation.
• Participate in technical supervision processes, including at local, national and regional levels.
• Implement all necessary tools to monitor and evaluate the impacts of protection activities, with the support of the organization’s MEAL staff.
• Carry out any other activity to facilitate the implementation of humanitarian intervention at the base, in accordance with the instructions of the technical protection reference person and/or Base Manager.

Part of the DRC Team

• Contribute to and update the mapping of protection services and the definition of channeling mechanisms between sectors.
• Support initiatives and processes to ensure that other services offered by DRC incorporate a safeguarding perspective.
• Promote and facilitate the collection of feedback and complaints, in accordance with the tools established by the operation.
• Respect and limit the safety, technical and strategic indications of the operation, including the red lines on the scope of the intervention
• Maintain good relations with local stakeholders, including relevant public institutions, in accordance with the base’s access strategy.
• Participate and contribute in operational and strategic planning and review processes.
• Provide information for regular reporting as required by the Base Manager.
• Participate in the reception of internal and external visitors at the base, including the explanation of psychosocial support activities.
• Contribute to the implementation of specific activities in other sectors, such as the distribution of multipurpose cash, the delivery of assistance kits, and other forms of direct assistance
• Actively participate in team meetings by providing input, challenges and lessons learned

  Member of the DRC Mexico Protection Unit

• Contribute to strengthening the protection knowledge and sensitivities of DRC operation staff.
• Organize and facilitate protection-related activities, as requested.
• Participate in internal and external training, as requested.
• Participate, on an ongoing basis, in protection analysis processes at local and national levels to contribute to the understanding of protection risks and needs faced by the population of interest, providing inputs for regular and ad hoc analyses.
• Experience and Technical Skills:
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in humanitarian protection, social work, rights.
• Having worked in the region of intervention or knowing the territorial context is an advantage.
• Work experience with national or international NGOs.
• Proficiency in verbal and written Haitian Creole or French is an advantage.
• Previous experience or knowledge of mixed migration movements in Mexico.
• Communication skills, both oral and written, in Spanish. Fluency in Haitian Creole, English, and/or French, verbally/written, is an advantage.
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Flexibility to travel internally within the state of Tamaulipas or to other destinations to participate in training and/or exchange activities, and to work after hours if necessary.

DRC Core Competencies:

All DRC roles require the professional to possess the following internal core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: focusing on achieving results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaboration: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the initiative: Taking ownership and initiative while pursuing innovation.
• Communication: listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrate integrity: Uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values ​​and Code of Conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Education:

• Diploma or professional degree in areas related to political science, law, social work, international development, psychology, human rights, any related field or equivalent professional experience

Languages: (indicate level of fluency)

• Spanish domain
• Mastery of English is an advantage

Knowledge of Haitian Creole will be considered an advantage.

We offer:

• Salary starting from $24,000 MXN gross per month according to the candidate’s experience.
• Indefinite contract with a 3-month trial period
• All legal benefits (IMSS, INFONAVIT, AFORE)
• Major and minor medical expenses insurance
• 25 days of vacation per year
• Over 100 online training courses
• Start date: March 2025