Protection Assistant

Contract

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

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate 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. Due to the ongoing conflict that began in February 2022, Ukraine is experiencing one of the largest humanitarian crises in Europe since World War II. Currently, there are an estimated 6.3 million displaced people who have crossed the international border, with 549,333 crossing into Moldova to date and with between 70 to 90,000 remaining in Moldova.

DRC Moldova will respond in three pillars:

1. Establish partnerships agreements with national NGOs engaged in the response and enhance their coverage

2. Provide technical support to partners, the wider civil society, and state actors engaged in the response

3. Implementation of humanitarian interventions in various sectors (Protection, Mine Risk Education, and Site Management Support).

About the Job

Under the supervision of the Protection Manager and in close cooperation with other protection colleagues, DRC field units and other relevant actors the Protection Assistant will be 100% field-based, will develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern, and will support the implementation of DRC’s protection objectives and activities to provide timely and effective protection to persons of concern under DRC projects in the open accommodation sites.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the implementation of general protection activities in accordance with agreed objectives.
• Continuously monitor protection concerns, collect data, and document the needs of the persons of concern.
• Monitor and analyze trends in the protection situation within and affecting the area of deployment for the program, advocacy, and management purposes.
• Maintain an oversight of services provided and available to persons of concern with whom the protection team is working in the area of deployment.
• Regularly review and adapt vulnerability criteria; identify vulnerable individuals and facilitate appropriate action, including referrals to specialized services, follow-ups, TPA, or other forms of direct service provision.
• Conduct vulnerability assessments with a priority to new arrivals, to Identify social, legal, psychosocial, socioeconomic, and administrative needs of Persons of Concern (POC) and/or support-related exercises.
• Provide appropriate and relevant information to refugees and migrants regarding their rights and the services available to them.
• ensure regular follow-up with information-sharing platforms and share relevant information in a timely, gender and age-appropriate manner.
• Provide support in designing and implementing awareness-raising sessions and information sessions for persons of concern.
• Maintain services mapping files/documents updated, Support mapping of services and development of effective referral pathways including referrals to specialized services and protective accompaniment, as necessary.
• Ensure that the DRC approach to protection is consistently applied through community–based protection methods.
• Document case studies, best practices, and lessons learned from each of the activities implemented.
• Undertake planning and provide feedback to the Protection Team Leader on procurement and logistics needs.
• Provide translation/interpretation as necessary.
• Participate in awareness-raising sessions and information campaigns for persons of concern.
• Mainstreaming protection in all activities of DRC.
• Planning and conducting Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Information Sessions as a facilitator and/or note-taker and drafting the relevant reports.
• Daily or weekly reporting to the Protection Monitoring Team Leader and/or Field Protection Manager of the activities carried out during the week.
• Provide input on case studies, best practices, and lessons learned from each of the activities implemented.

Coordination and Representation

• Liaise with local authorities, service providers, and humanitarian actors to support the mapping of services and the development of effective referral pathways.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with external stakeholders, including partner organizations, NGOs, government authorities, UNHCR, as well as persons of concern in the area of deployment.

Collaboration and Supervision

• Report any major issues to the protection management.
• Collaborate with DRC colleagues to resolve problems and issues as they arise.
• Ensure the observance of the DRC Code of Conduct throughout activity implementation.
• Ensure SEA mitigation measures are in place, and monitor and address any potential concerns with the team leader and manager.

About You

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a minimum of 1-2 years of relevant, proven experience working with refugees and asylum seekers or as a volunteer. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• A university degree especially in Social sciences, Law, Refugee and Migration Studies, International Relations, and Psychology is highly desirable. A post-graduate degree in any of the above will be considered a strong asset.
• Experience in community-based or community mobilization work in a humanitarian context and/or experience with protection tools and monitoring will be considered an asset.
• Previous working experience with local or international NGOs as well as experience in refugee sites or shelters will be considered a strong advantage.
• Strong computer skills.
• High professional ethics.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Dynamic personality and ability to work under pressure.
• Commitment to the values, vision, and mission of DRC.
• Commitment and respect for the DRC code of conduct.
• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to teamwork and humanitarian principle.
• Flexible, enthusiastic, and willing to learn from others.
• Ability to multitask and cope with competing demands under tight deadlines.
• Ability to cope with high workload and stress and identify priority activities and assignments, and adjust priorities as required.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment.
• Advanced verbal and written language skills in Moldovan and Ukrainian.
• Advanced written and spoken English will be considered an advantage.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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 act in line with DRC’s vision and values.

We Offer

Contract type: National Staff contract

Contract length: 5 months, with the possibility of extension depending on funding.

Band: I

Duty base: Chisinau (roving to other field locations)

Start date: 1 August 2023

We offer a 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.

Applicants must already have the legal right to live and work in Moldova without visa sponsorship.

Closing date for applications: 17 July 2023

Applications will be reviewed 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.