Child Protection Officer

Contract

This is a DRC - National contract. More about DRC - National contracts.

The Danish Refugee Council is currently looking for a skilled and experienced Child Protection Officer to join our team in Krakow, Poland.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency whose mandate is to promote and protect durable solutions to conflict and displacement-affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC is implementing a multi-sector response to support Ukraine refugees, IDPs, and host populations both within Ukraine and in the neighboring countries of Poland, Romania and Moldova, and wider Europe. DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, following previous operations in the 1990’s and between 2007-2013. Over the years, DRC successfully maintained its presence in the government-controlled areas (GCA) and adapted its programs to provide early recovery and durable solutions to people affected by the conflict including IDPs and communities living along the contact line, as well as reduce the threats of explosive ordnance with a growing humanitarian mine action program.

Due to the ongoing conflict that began on Feb 22, DRC opened offices in Poland, Moldova, and Romania to provide support to displaced populations through a partnership with civil society organizations and national NGOs, duty bearers, and other actors. DRC continues to implement in these three countries through partnerships, technical assistance and capacity exchange, and direct implementation in some cases.

About the Job

Under the leadership of the DRC Community Center Protection Team Leader and with the support of the country Protection team, the Child Protection Officer, be responsible for the overall coordination of the rollout and implementation of the Community Center child protection activities in Gdynia and any related outreach activities in pomorskie voivodship conducted by DRC and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify children at heightened risk and/or in need of protection services at the Community Center, through mobile activities and community-based child protection mechanisms.
• Ensure timely referral and follow-up, documenting all cases referred by DRC to other service providers, as per DRC standards for referrals and data protection, specifically DRC’s child safeguarding policy.
• Provide counseling, awareness, guidance, and emotional support when needed, in line with international standards and best practices.
• Lead group awareness sessions on child protection issues.
• Assess protection needs and community capacities to identify risks and vulnerabilities, including those related to gender and age. In collaboration with the Protection team and community members develop and implement concrete strategies/initiatives to reduce these risks.
• Design and implement activities whilst taking into consideration the Covid-19 pandemic, including associated restrictions and recommendations coming from relevant authorities, ensuring child and personal safety.
• Work in close coordination with the team members to ensure protection activities are in line with overall projects and targets for protection activities are met.
• Assist and work in close collaboration with DRC personnel and/or other stakeholders working on non-formal/formal education activities with children.
• Draft activity reports and provide inputs to donor reporting.
• Contribute and support effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes and initiatives, ensure effective data and information management, and contribute to regular reporting on protection activities.

About You

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a minimum of 2 years of proven experience working with vulnerable children and child protection programs. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, pedagogy, or another relevant field.
• Knowledge of Polish formal child protection mechanisms.
• Strong knowledge of interviewing and communication techniques with children.
• Knowledge of IASC guidelines on mental health and psychosocial support in crisis situations.
• Understanding of the psychosocial support needs of refugee and refugee children.
• Ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team player.
• Problem-solving, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to produce reports for internal and external use.
• Experience working in refugee/displacement programs will be an advantage.
• Advanced English proficiency.
• Fluency in Polish, working knowledge of Ukrainian, and/or Russian and a very good knowledge of English are essential.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

We Offer

Contract length: until December 31st, 2023

Band: H

Base salary range: from 11995 to 15320 PLN gross per month, based on experience

Duty station: Gdynia

Start date: Asap

We offer competitive salary and benefits in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.

Application Process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

All applicants must already have the legal right to live and work in Poland without visa sponsorship or be EU/EFTA/Ukrainian citizens.

Closing date for applications**: March 3rd, 2023**

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted on a rolling basis, and we, therefore, encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.