Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide effective assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees and other people on the move, as well as vulnerable local populations/host communities. DRC is currently looking for a highly qualified Spanish and English-speaking Protection Specialist for a 6.5-month contract (renewable depending on funding and performance) covering the state of Chihuahua, Mexico to be based in the city of Chihuahua. This is an opportunity for an experienced protection professional to support DRC’s efforts in response to the internal displacement crisis in Mexico.
Context
Since 2020, DRC has contributed to the humanitarian response to the mixed migration crisis in Mexico, and beginning in 2022, will expand its operation to target those affected by violence-induced internal displacement. Although a proposed legal framework to prevent forced displacement and attend to its effects remains pending at the national level, a number of states have made important advances in preventing and responding to internal displacement. In Chihuahua, state-level authorities have begun to give form to programs to respond to the needs of forcibly displaced persons. DRC intends to accompany the development of the IDP response in Chihuahua through a limited and specialized humanitarian intervention in the city of Chihuahua and in other strategic locations in the state. These efforts will complement DRC’s work with its local partner in the north of the state, in Ciudad Juarez.
About the Position
The Protection Specialist will be based in Chihuahua and will work from home under the direction of the country-level Protection Coordinator as part of the DRC Mexico Protection Unit. The Protection Specialist will provide technical assistance to relevant stakeholders, actively participate in pertinent coordination spaces and implement limited protection activities in the state. Practical aspects of the Protection Specialist’s work will be coordinated through the Area Manager for Mexico.
Main responsibilities
- Capacity-building and Technical Assistance:
- Proactively provide technical assistance to local authorities and other actors involved in the humanitarian response, including specifically on IDP protection issues.
- Develop capacity-building plan and materials to impart with relevant local and national actors.
- Consolidate tools, Standard Operating Procedures and other resources relevant for IDP response programs.
- Field Protection Specialist:
- Participate in strategic exchanges with DRC Mexico’s Protection Unit and contribute to the development of the country-level protection program.
- Regularly provide inputs for protection monitoring reports and related products.
- Carry out and regularly update population and response mapping at the state level.
- Frequently produce protection analysis and contribute to country-level protection analytical products, in coordination with information management colleagues
- Coordination:
- Actively participate in existing formal coordination structures in representation of DRC
- Develop relationships and liaise permanently with local authorities, UNHCR and other protection humanitarian actors in the intervention area.
- Project Implementation:
- Implement ad hoc individualized protection assistance, protection monitoring and information dissemination activities.
- Participate in monitoring, evaluation and learning processes as well as compliance with reporting requirements of DRC’s intervention in Chihuahua state in line with the DRC Programme Handbook.
Required experience and competencies.
- Minimum 3 years of protection experience in an INGO or UN agency, included field experience.
- Experience leading or participating in protection coordination spaces
- Excellent technical knowledge of international standards and practice for IDP response.
- At least 2 years of experience with capacity-building and/or technical assistance.
- Experience working with national partners, government authorities and UN agencies.
- Experience working with refugees, migrants, asylum-seekers and internally displaced persons.
- Fluency in Spanish and proficiency in English is compulsory.
- Excellent writing and editing skills for external audiences (including governments and donors).
- Experience in producing high-quality technical material (training materials, program tools, proposals, strategic documents etc.).
- Experience in working with monitoring, evaluation and learning in protection programs.
- Excellent reporting and protection analysis skills.
- Highly organized and autonomous, able to multi-task and prioritize workload when necessary.
- Strong diplomatic skills and ability to liaise with diverse stakeholders.
Required education.
Advanced university degree in law, international relations, political science, or sociology. Knowledge of international human rights law, humanitarian law or refugee law is desirable. A first-level university degree in combination with relevant experience for this position, especially if working with DRC, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
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.
We offer.
- Contract: Local contract for 6.5 months (renewable depending on performance and funding)
- Salary Level: G2 – Non-management. Star in $36.500 MXN
- Start date: 30/06/2022.
- For questions regarding the vacancy please contact monica.hernandez@drc.ngo or kavita.kapur@drc.ngo.
Application process
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English or Spanish. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
Closing date for applications**: 11/05/2022 at 11.59 PM (GMT-5, Mexico City).**