Protection Officer (Community-Based Protection)

Contract

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

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations. DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 600 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2023 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

DRC is currently looking for a Protection Officer (Community-Based Protection) for its activities in Sumy. This position will report to the Protection Team Leader.

Overall purpose of the role:

Under the supervision of the Protection team leader, the Protection officer (CBP) will oversee the quality implementation of community-based activities in Sumy oblast. The Protection officer (CBP) will work closely with community members, community focal points, local organizations, and relevant stakeholders, supporting communities in increasing their own capacities for identifying and addressing protection risks, and promoting community ownership and involvement in designing and implementing protection interventions.

Main responsibilities:

• With the support of the Protection Team Leader, lead the planning and implementation of community-based protection activities.
• Mobilize and build strong relationships with community members, local leaders, and relevant stakeholders to understand their needs, concerns, and priorities.
• Lead the conduction of community-based mechanisms mapping and support in developing relevant tools.
• Identify capacity-building needs among identified community-based structures, and deliver targeted capacity-building modules, including on psychological first aid, safe referrals, protection mainstreaming.
• Develop/contribute to developing and continuously updating a service mapping system detailing available services and assistance in DRC’s areas of operation and ensuring follow-up of referrals in a timely manner.
• Develop IEC materials aimed at raising awareness among communities on identified topics; implement awareness-raising campaigns.
• Facilitate community discussions, meetings, and consultations to ensure the active participation of community members in decision-making processes related to protection issues.
• Support communities in developing community-based protection plans, strategies, and activities to address identified needs and mitigate risks.
• Produce quality and accurate reports and supporting documentation on CBP activities and ensure their timely submission to the Protection Team Leader. Overall effectively use the tools and comply with the processes related to monitoring and reporting, including through the use of shared drive and dedicated platforms for information management.
• Ensure that materials and facilities are fully functioning and ready to provide activities (logistically, capacity).
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Team Leader and/or Manager, relevant to the achievement of protection objectives.

Required experience and competencies:

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in the field of humanitarian interventions, social sciences, human rights or community development
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., social sciences, international relations, humanitarian studies) or equivalent work experience.
• Strong understanding of protection issues, including child protection and gender-based violence
• Comfortable in speaking about sensitive topics and working with people in distress
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships, facilitate discussions, and negotiate effectively
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively
• Ability to use in Microsoft packages, including Powerpoint and Teams is desirable
• Full professional proficiency in Russian and Ukrainian
• Conversational written and spoken English is strongly preferred but not mandatory.

Required education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., social sciences, international relations, humanitarian studies) or equivalent work experience.

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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer:

• Contract length: 3 months with extensiom possibility
• Level: H2
• Designation of Duty Station: Sumy
• Start date: As soon as possible.
• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.

Application process: All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages in English).

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 31st December 2023

DRC as an employer By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of around 8000 employees in 40 countries. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/about-us/job-and-career/support-for-job-seekers.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply!