Community Based Protection Officer At Danish Refugee Council

The Danish Refugee Council 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 population/host communities. DRC is currently seeking a Community-Based Protection Officer at Carúpano base, Edo Sucre.

About the work:

DRC is managing its operations in Venezuela, led by the country office in Caracas and three field offices located in the states of Sucre, Apure and Zulia. DRC Venezuela is implementing activities such as protection monitoring, legal assistance, individual protection assistance for PWSN, briefings for PoC, prevention of human trafficking, rehabilitation of health infrastructure and food security.

Job Overview : Under the supervision of the Protection Team Leader (Sucre), the Community-Based Protection Officer (CBO) will support the field implementation of all Community-Based Protection activities under DRC projects. He/she will be responsible for providing technical support and accompaniment to communities for the development of participatory assessments, mapping of services/actors, participatory construction of action plans and coordination with local actors for their sustainability. The Community-Based Protection Officer will develop and maintain good relationships with persons of concern, relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors. He/she will also support the implementation of differential approaches, especially age, gender and diversity in protection activities.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Implementation of Community-Based Protection Activities

• Support communities in establishing community representation structures for the DRC project with a gender and differential focus.
• Reach out to the community in a culturally sensitive manner and organize to use community spaces in advance, liaising between DRC community structures and community leaders where feasible.
• Contribute to improving protection and achieving solutions for persons of concern through people-centred and community-based approaches.
• Identify key community members and stakeholders with whom to coordinate and plan joint community protection activities.
• Support the population of interest to develop structures that improve their participation and self-protection.
• Responsible for carrying out and regularly updating service mapping in the communities of intervention.
• Contribute to the design of the community-based protection strategy on the ground, including the identification of protection focal points and community-based protection groups.
• Based on the community-based protection strategy, support action plans for community activities, including awareness-raising campaigns.
• Conduct frequent visits to the communities of intervention to ensure the implementation of the community-based protection strategy.
• Responsible for planning and implementing, in collaboration with key community stakeholders, the implementation of community activities.
• Work in coordination with the DRC Protection team and communities of interest to identify protection risks and community capacities.
• Contribute to the development of community structures and procedures that allow for the safe referral of persons of interest to the corresponding Protection area.
• Coordinate community action plans with all areas of the DRC Protection Unit.
• Support PBC committees in developing work schedules for the implementation of community action plans.
• Continuously monitor PBC intervention communities. Hold regular meetings with PBC committees to identify challenges, evaluate and identify lessons learned.
• Prepare periodic reports on community protection activities, community action plans and challenges encountered in the areas of intervention.
• Strengthen the capacities of key community actors through capacity building mechanisms, monthly meetings and workshops in coordination with the Protection Leader.
• Maintain up-to-date verification media in physical and digital files, as well as reports and other documents related to PBC.
• Represent DRC on issues relating to community protection.
• Other responsibilities that may be assigned for the implementation of protection programs.

Experience and technical skills:

• Professional with a university degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Rights, Social Sciences and related fields.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in humanitarian work, social work, human rights or other similar field work, related to an NGO or other non-profit organization.
• Field experience and work with urban, and/or rural, and/or indigenous communities.
• Experience in strengthening community networks.
• Experience and ability to interview people of all ages, gender and diversity.
• Ability to establish interpersonal relationships and achieve coordination actions with relevant actors.
• Ability to work in difficult-to-access contexts.
• Good writing skills.
• Good skills in working with tablets and computers.
• Good office suite skills.
• Will and ability to learn.

Logistics / Finance and Security:

• Proactively plan and coordinate logistics and movements to different operational areas.
• Initiate acquisitions and ensure their execution
• Ensure distribution plans are prepared and shared with logistics in a timely manner.
• Comply with local safety regulations and promote compliance during your team’s field trips.
• Ensure compliance with DRC’s code of conduct, values, principles and core competencies.

Education :

Relevant university degree in social sciences (political science, law, social work, international development, psychology, human rights).

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: subject to budget availability.
• Salary: Band H.
• HCM insurance fully covered by the organization.
• Start date: February/March 2025

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 pursuing innovation.
• Communicate: listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating Integrity : Acting 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, without supports ) in Spanish, on the DRC job platform. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications : Sunday 2nd February at 11:59pm local time. Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews will be scheduled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the vacancy before the closing date once a suitable candidate has been identified.