Protection Specialist

Protection Specialist

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Overall purpose of the role 

The Protection Specialist will directly report to the Program Manager, overseeing both DRC Protection and Site Management programmes in Gaza and will be technically supported/supervised by the Protection Coordinator and MHPSS specialist. The Protection Specialist will be responsible for all protection activities under the ECHO Basic Needs Consortium including, protection mainstreaming, protection monitoring and community protection interventions integrated with site management. Under this project, the Protection Specialist - with the support of the Protection Coordinator - will be responsible for delivering protection mainstreaming trainings to ECHO Consortium (non-protection) sector members including Shelter, MPCA and Site Management Teams. On providing technical support to Consortium Sector members and in supporting them to implement protection mainstreaming during interverventions including distribution of assistance. The Protection Specialist will also be responsible for conducting protection monitoring interviews with communities in locations targeted by DRC site management and support with referrals of identified cases with protection concerns. Finally, the protection specialist together with site management team leaders will be involved in capacity building of community-based groups in each of the sites, including on protection topics.

Duties and Responsibilities

Protection Mainstreaming

• Support the Protection Coordinator in delivering protection mainstreaming trainings to the ECHO Consortium sector members, including shelter, MPCA and Site management field teams as well as leading on refresher trainings and other workshops on protection mainstreaming activities throughout implementation of this project.
• Support Consortium sector teams in the development and implementation of protection mainstreaming action plans, and other relevant tools for planning, implementing, and tracking protection mainstreaming initiatives including outreach, beneficiary participation, programme safety and risk analysis;
• Act as main reference for protection mainstreaming for the Consortium and provide ongoing technical support, identify protection mainstreaming needs/gaps.
• Undertake regular monitoring and evaluation of mainstreaming efforts to assess progress, identify issues, collect information, document lessons learned and suggest programmatic revisions for the Consortium .
• Oversee protection mainstreaming activities conducted by the ECHO Consortium and ensure alignment with agreed standards and approaches.

Protection Monitoring

• Conduct interviews for protection monitoring, with standard tools developed jointly with the DRC protection Coordinator. Ensure quality data collection among communities in sites targeted by the ECHO project
• Proactively engage with the protection coordinator, sharing information on new protection risks and trends to inform the analysis on risks.
• Support in contextualizing data collection tools to reflect changes in the environment.
• Support in ad-hoc data collection for ad hoc products or advocacy interventions as required.

Community-based protection

• Support the protection coordinator in identifying ways to integrate protection and site management programmes.
• Work with Site Management team leaders to build capacities of community-based groups in each of the sites targeted by this programme. The Protection Specialist will focus on training community groups on protection, including on PSEA and Safeguarding, protection mainstreaming, safe handling of disclosures and referrals. Support the protection coordinator in developing a training package on this. .
• Act as the main liaison for these community groups ensuring ongoing coordination, follow ups and engagements throughout implementation of the project, identifying needs and gaps that can be addressed through mentorship and trainings.
• Work with the MHPSS specialist to develop information sessions on MHPSS and other non-specialised PSS activities that will be implemented through community groups in each of the sites.

Coordination and Representation:

• In consultation with the protection coordinator participate in protection cluster coordination meetings and other relevant working groups within the coordination mechanism (such as the disability inclusion working group, case management working group etc), including by  sharing findings and any issues of relevance and/or concern related to the local context or broader trends.
• With the support of the protection coordinator and MHPSS specialist continue identifying ways to integrate protection interventions/activities with other DRC sectors including site management, economic recovery and humanitarian mine action.
• With the support of the protection coordinator and advocacy coordinator, provide support to any advocacy initiatives including by sharing data from protection monitoring or raising issues observed through routine programming.

Other Duties:

Any other relevant duties as requested by your line manager.

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: 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: 6 months with a possibility of extension based on performance and funding

Position Band:  This position will be placed at Management band (G non-management)

Start date: 15 May 2025

Duty station: Gaza

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National.

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Experience and technical competencies:

• University or graduate degree in social sciences, development studies, international relations, psychology, social work or other relevant fields.
• A minimum of 3-4 years of proven experience and management of protection programmes or projects.
• Bachelor of Arts degree or appropriate level of expertise or experience
• Knowledge and experience in protection programming, experience in MHPSS programmes is an advantage.
• Proven experience in capacity building including preparation and delivery of materials and mentoring of staff.
• Strong cultural sensitivity and experience working with persons from various backgrounds. 
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, plan and manage own time effectively, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Understanding and experience in protection mainstreaming and Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) mainstreaming, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and abuse (PSEA) is desirable.
• Ability to multi-task and oversee interventions in different field locations concurrently. . 
• Strong work ethic and ability to take responsibility for own actions.  

• Professional proficiency in English required
• Full fluency Arabic (ESSENTIA

Application process

Interested to apply? 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: April 23, 2025

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