Protection Team Leader – Child Protection (Emergency)
Lead and ensure quality implementation of Protection programming.
Overview
Lead and ensure quality implementation of Protection programming.
You have:
- Minimum 3 years of experience in GBV and/or Child Protection programming in humanitarian or emergency contexts.
- University degree in Social Work, Social Sciences, Law, Development Studies, Psychology, or related field.
- Strong knowledge of GBV Case Management Guidelines, Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS), and Best Interest Procedures (BIA/BID).
- Fluency in English (written and spoken); knowledge of local languages is an added advantage.
- Strong organizational and leadership skills.
- Ability to manage teams in remote and high-pressure environments.
- Demonstrated experience in team supervision and technical oversight of case management services.
Contract
This is a DRC - National contract. More about DRC - National contracts.
Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified candidate for the Protection Team Leader position in Juba – Roving (80% Field Travel. If you are a skilled and motivated professional ready to make a difference, we want you on board! Together, we’ll work to deliver impactful humanitarian solutions in challenging environments.
About the job
The Protection Team Leader will lead, supervise, and ensure quality implementation of integrated Protection programming, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Child Protection (CP), within the Mobile Response Team (MRT) across hard-to-reach and shock-affected locations in South Sudan.
The position provides technical oversight, supervision, and coordination of GBV and CP interventions, ensuring compliance with inter-agency standards, safeguarding principles, donor requirements, and DRC policies. The Protection Team Leader ensures effective coordination with relevant clusters and partners and maintains high standards of protection quality, accountability, and operational management within mobile emergency responses. The Protection Team Leader ensures adherence to inter-agency standards, safeguarding principles, confidentiality, and DRC Code of Conduct while maintaining quality, accountability, and operational effectiveness of mobile protection interventions.
Responsibilities****:
- Lead the planning, implementation, and quality assurance of integrated GBV and Child Protection activities within the Mobile Response Team across hard-to-reach and emergency locations.
- Provide technical oversight and structured supervision to GBV and CP Officers and Assistants, ensuring case management services comply with inter-agency standards (GBV Case Management Guidelines, CPMS, Best Interest Procedures) and DRC SOPs.
- Oversee quality control of GBV and CP case management processes, including case reviews, documentation standards, referrals, and adherence to confidentiality and safeguarding requirements.
- Ensure effective coordination with GBV AoR, CP AoR, and NPC at field level, representing DRC in coordination forums when required.
- Support the development and regular updating of referral pathways in newly affected or underserved locations to ensure safe and timely access to services.
- Lead and review rapid protection assessments, protection monitoring activities, and GBV/CP risk analysis to inform adaptive programming and operational decision-making.
- Monitor GBV and CP trends, emerging risks, and service gaps, and provide regular analytical updates to the Programme Manager and Protection Coordinator.
- Ensure timely preparation and submission of high-quality reports (weekly, monthly, donor-specific), including analysis of protection trends and operational challenges.
- Oversee protection data management systems, ensuring compliance with data protection protocols and safe handling of sensitive GBV and CP information.
- Strengthen the technical capacity of protection staff through regular mentoring, coaching, structured case reviews, and targeted training sessions.
- Ensure alignment of GBV and CP activities with DRC project cycle management standards, work plans, budgets, and donor compliance requirements.
- Coordinate closely with other sectors during mobile missions to ensure integration of GBV and CP risk mitigation within broader humanitarian interventions.
- Prepare and oversee operational planning documents, including movement plans, procurement requests, and activity plans in line with MRT procedures.
- Ensure staff compliance with DRC security procedures, safeguarding policies, and Code of Conduct.
- Liaise regularly with area and country-level Protection colleagues to ensure technical alignment and escalate key protection concerns when required.
Experience and Technical Competencies****:
- Minimum 3 years of experience in GBV and/or Child Protection programming in humanitarian or emergency contexts.
- University degree in Social Work, Social Sciences, Law, Development Studies, Psychology, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience in team supervision and technical oversight of case management services.
- Strong knowledge of GBV Case Management Guidelines, Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS), and Best Interest Procedures (BIA/BID).
- Experience in emergency or mobile response programming in South Sudan strongly preferred.
- Strong analytical skills, including protection risk analysis and trend monitoring.
- Experience engaging with cluster coordination mechanisms.
- Strong reporting and data management skills.
Ability to manage teams in remote and high-pressure environments.
Strong organizational and leadership skills. Fluency in English (written and spoken); knowledge of local languages is an added advantage.
Desirable qualifications
- Prior experience working under UNICEF-funded projects.
- Experience in Mobile Response or Rapid Response programming.
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: 6 Months
Band: G
Work location: Juba – Roving (80% Field Travel
Start date: 1 April 2026, subject to funding approval.
Potential interview questions
| Describe a situation where you led a team effectively in a challenging environment. | This question assesses your leadership skills and ability to operate under pressure. | Highlight your approach to team management and a specific challenge faced. |
| How do you ensure adherence to safeguarding protocols within your team? | The interviewer is looking for your understanding of safeguarding and its importance. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of a time you used data analysis to inform programming decisions? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies do you employ for effective coordination with clusters? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you approach training and mentoring staff in challenging contexts? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe your experience with GBV and CS case management. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What measures do you take to ensure quality assurance in protection programming? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How would you address emerging risks in child protection in a mobile response context? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |