Protection Team Leader (Readvertised)

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 coordination with other DRC field units, the Protection Team Leader will be field-based and will support the implementation of all Protection objectives under DRC projects in the refugee hosting sites. Furthermore, the Protection Team Leader acts as line manager to the DRC protection team to ensure a qualitative implementation of activities and performance of staff. S/he will develop and maintain good relations with relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of DRC’s Protection activities.

Main Responsibilities

• Capacity building of Protection staff and Partners.
• Ensure timely and sound implementation of protection activities in all relevant locations.
• Provide technical support, supervision, and guidance to the Protection teams at the field level (incl. support in the development of technical tools and guidance, tailored capacity-building plans for partners, training, and on-the-job coaching and mentoring).
• Contribute to preparing sound work plans for Protection teams in the field.
• Ensure regular update of referral matrix/tools and documentation of FGD, key informant interviews, and site observation forms by Protection staff.
• Ensure that indicators measuring results, impact, and performance on protection delivery are tracked and met.
• Participate in the implementation of general protection activities in accordance with agreed objectives.
• Ensure that DRC’s protection activities are delivered in a timely manner and according to standards and are flexible and responsive by participating in (joint) assessments, identifying protection concerns, and reporting for evidence-based interventions.
• Continuously monitor the provision of services and report on findings to the line manager.
• Ensure Protection considerations are mainstreamed across all sectors.
• Encourage a positive, innovative, and mutually supportive team spirit amongst the team under her/his responsibility.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Field Protection Manager, relevant to the achievement of Protection objectives.

Protection Analysis

• Maintain a strong protection analysis of issues and trends in the protection context within and affecting the area of operation 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.
• Provide support and insights to DRC’s Protection team regarding the protection issues in the area of operation and ensure timely and effective protection response.

Program and Team Oversight and Support

• Supervise and support the protection team in the implementation of agreed protection activities through the provision of day-to-day support and operational guidance.
• Ensure agreed protection activities are delivered on time and to agreed standards.
• Ensure preparation of required project and work plans, in coordination with and under the supervision of the Protection Manager.
• Undertake planning and provide feedback on procurement and logistics needs, or any issues relating to staffing.
• With the protection team, identify, advocate for, and support opportunities to mainstream protection considerations into DRC or other site activities and services.
• Supervise and support case management for vulnerable individuals.
• Regularly review and adapt vulnerability criteria; support identification of vulnerable individuals and ensure appropriate action is taken by the staff, responding to vulnerabilities, including referrals to specialized services and targeted protection assistance.

Coordination and Representation:

• Internal and external coordination in the area of intervention where needed.
• 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 government authorities, other humanitarian actors, and service providers, as well as persons of concern in the area of deployment.
• Act as a focal point between the DRC protection team in the area of deployment and other DRC units, and with other agencies in the area of deployment.
• Ensure service mapping and effective referral pathways are established and kept up to date.
• Organize and deliver on-site protection meetings in the area of operation as required.
• Represent DRC and act as a focal point for protection issues with external stakeholders when required.

Reporting

• Ensure compliance with the internal reporting system and participate in the DRC internal coordination mechanisms as required.
• Consolidate protection monitoring reports received from protection staff and draft periodic analysis and monthly reports.
• Prepare case reports when necessary.
• Draft protection monitoring reports, and provide input in designing protection tools and formats.
• Regularly monitor the progress of protection activities against project plans and timelines.
• Support and undertake program monitoring and evaluation activities, including regular activity monitoring, documentation of case studies, best practices, and lessons learned, as agreed with the Field Protection Manager.
• Ensure sound financial management and expenditure tracking, and the preparation, delivery, and filing of agreed financial documentation.
• Provide inputs for the review of DRC SOPs and other work processes and identify gaps and challenges and make recommendations for improvements.
• Contribute to continual improvements in DRC protection programming and ways of working, through identification and communication of challenges, gaps, recommendations for improvements, and lessons learned.

Program Development

• In collaboration with the Protection Team, Protection Manager, and other colleagues, contribute to the development and design of the DRC protection program and activities.

Protection Information Management

• Ensure to apply and comply with the information management system which is in place in the area of deployment.
• Ensure files and MoVs (Means of Verification) are maintained to agreed standards to ensure donor compliance and accountability.

Accountability

• Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and suggest relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthen the effort to document the impact of DRC activities in the area.
• Ensure that protection staff adheres to general protection, child protection and GBV best practices, and professional standards and principles through capacity-building and on-the-job support.
• Ensure that case studies, best practices, and lessons learned from each of the activities implemented are clearly documented.

About You

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in international humanitarian/development work. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• A university degree in social sciences, law, refugee and migration studies, human rights, international relations, psychology, or any other relevant field is required. A post-graduate education - Master level degree in a relevant field- will be highly appreciated.
• Good understanding of displacement issues of both internally displaced and refugees and related international standards/frameworks.
• Solid experience in Case Management for vulnerable individuals.
• Solid project management experience.
• Knowledge of displacement issues and local context in Moldova is a clear asset.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff and other stakeholders.
• Ability to live and work in a demanding working environment.
• Excellent negotiation, advocacy, and communication skills.
• Full professional proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Full professional proficiency in Moldovan and/or Ukrainian will be considered a strong 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: 31st December 2023, with the possibility of extension depending on funding.

Band: G (Management)

Duty base: Chisinau with frequent travel to other field locations

Start date: ASAP

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: April 24th 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.