Protection Specialist

WHO ARE WE?

We 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.

ABOUT THE JOB

Under the supervision of the Protection Coordinator (PC), the Protection Specialist (PS) contributes to the development and implementation of DRC’s sector strategy in Afghanistan and is responsible for supporting the delivery of high-quality protection services across DRC Afghanistan’s areas of operation, in close collaboration with field management and Protection Managers and Team Leaders. To this aim, the Protection Specialist will support the harmonization and rollout of tools and guidelines, protection monitoring systems, analysis, and reporting; support advocacy initiatives; strengthen referral pathway mechanisms; ensure standard donor and data reporting methods; support Protection mainstreaming activities; undertaking M&E activities in collaboration with relevant internal teams; and support the development and implementation of DRC Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines and tools.

Responsibilities:

General Programming & Technical Support

• Stay abreast of developments that have an impact on the protection environment in Afghanistan and provide ongoing analysis on key issues on a regular basis.
• In collaboration with Protection Coordinator, develop program tools, SOPs, and guidance to support and reinforce the quality of programs and ensure quality protection deliverables. Lead the coaching, mentorship, and training required for implementation. Ensure close follow-up with protection field teams to ensure SOPs and guidance tools are adhered to. 
• Provide regular technical support and guidance to protection managers or team leaders to strengthen the capacity of protection teams in delivering high-quality case management services.
• Conduct regular quality checks and support the Protection Coordinator improving the overall quality of protection programming by identifying gaps and enacting solutions.
• In coordination with the Protection Managers or Team Leaders, assess training and development needs within the Protection team, develop a capacity-building plan, and implement the plan with support from the Protection Coordinator. This includes the development of related materials and delivery of training.
• Regular delivery of technical trainings and capacity building initiatives including, but not limited to, protection case management, psychosocial support, individual protection assistance, and protection monitoring.
• Undertake field visits to monitor the quality of implementation and provide technical advice and customized and needs-based capacity building to protection staff, with specific regard to case management.
• Support integration of Protection interventions with other core sectors, ensuring close collaboration between field teams.
• Provide support to the protection field teams on how to strengthen referral pathways. Support in updating and developing guidance on how to strengthen internal referrals. Support teams with updating service mapping and referral pathways.
• Support the Protection Coordinator with the development and rollout of the country-wide protection analysis and strategy.

Protection Information Management

• Support to the broader information management needs of the protection program through ensuring data/information consistency and integrity.
• Conduct analysis of protection issues and trends at the national level, and compile high-quality protection monitoring reporting at country level.
• Assist in the development, updating and rolling out of protection M&E tools, in collaboration with MEAL and protection teams.

Coordination and representation

• Active participation in, contribution to, and representation of DRC in the Protection Cluster and different Area of Responsibilities as well as with other relevant bodies, including working groups and other meetings related to protection.
• Contribute to providing key inputs to the protection cluster on protection monitoring and other feedback they may require.
• Active participation in internal coordination meetings and support in disseminating key trends/ findings on protection risks to relevant DRC sectors.
• Support DRC sub-national Protection Cluster Co-coordinators with guidance, and information sharing as required. 

Project/Programme Development

• Support the Protection teams with the preparation of high-quality and timely narrative reporting for donors, and in reviewing and inputting into concept notes and proposals.
• Participate in, and support with, project review meetings, Grant Kick Off and Close Out meetings, and other relevant project management meetings from a technical protection perspective.
• Support preparation of weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to relevant authorities as per need.

Other

• Assure compliance with DRC standards and procedures and raise any issues of non-compliance.
• Any other duties as agreed with Protection Coordinator.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies: 

• At least 5 years of practical experience in the protection sector with INGOs, with a focus on Case Management, Psychosocial Support, Protection Monitoring, and/or Community-based protection.
• Excellent knowledge of Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, and experience working directly with displacement-affected communities.
• Documented skills in project planning and design, drafting, and technical writing.
• Experience in producing high-quality technical material (training material, programme tools, guidelines).
• Experience working with national partners, local/government authorities, and UN organizations.
• Excellent skills in MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Willingness to travel to the field and within Kabul on a regular basis.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Education/qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in law, social sciences or other relevant field.

Languages:

• Full working proficiency in English
• Full working proficiency in Dari
• Full working proficiency in Pashtu

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• Head of Programmes
• Protection colleagues in all DRC locations
• Other sectoral colleagues
• Protection cluster and relevant technical working groups

We Offer:

• Contract length: to 31st of December 2024 with the possibility of Extension.
• Band: NMG
• Designation of Duty Station: Kabul with 30% travel to the fields (flexible both up and down, as per requirements)
• DRC has Flexible working hours for Females staff as per DRC Policy.
• 13th month’s salary Will be paid by end of each month with salary.
• Top-up credit card as per office regulations.
• 1+1 Health Insurance will be provided by DRC.
• Eid Bonus.
• DRC provide Transport allowance/ Transportation Facilities for female and people with disability.
• DRC Provides kindergarten/ Day Care allowance for max 2 children – Applicable to female mothers.
• Per diem allowance for employee and her Mahram - Applicable for female 
• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the DRC salary scale.

Application process:

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking the Apply button below.  All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages), Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV-only applications will not be considered.

Note: Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.