Protection Officer

Duty Station : Sittwe, Rakhine State

Report to : Protection Team Leader

Overall purpose of the role:

The Protection Officer (Case Management) works as part of DRC's Protection team, under the guidance and direct supervision of the Protection Team Leader. This position is based in Sittwe, with frequent travel to field locations in Rakhine State. The post holder is responsible to ensure the quality of the planning, implementation and follow up of all technical aspects of protection case management and cash for protection activities being implemented by DRC, closely working with field-based caseworkers, providing regular coaching and supervision, and ensuring high-quality service delivery. And the post holder is to develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern, relevant stakeholders, and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation, referrals and coordination.

Responsibilities:

Case Management and Cash for Protection (C4P+)/ IPA

• Support and provide technical guidance to caseworkers in the identification, recording and response to protection cases and ensure monitoring in-field.
• Ensure that the most urgent issues are brought to the attention of the Project Manager and Team Leader.
• Be responsible for the referral of cases to other agencies in line with case management principles, SOPs and inter-agency guidelines.
• Establish and develop relationships with other agencies’ focal points to strengthen referral mechanisms, as well as updating service providers’ mapping.
• Conduct weekly case management consultations with case workers and the Protection Project Manager to share updates and discuss the way forward.
• Conduct weekly coaching and supervision sessions with individual case workers, providing adequate support, guidance and constructive feedbacks.
• Conduct monthly case audits and case management satisfaction surveys.
• Review case documentation to ensure compliance with confidentiality, ethical standards, and case management SOPs.
• Coordinate regularly with the Protection Monitoring team for the identification of cases.
• Oversee the implementation of C4P+/ IPA support in line with program guidelines and SOPs.
• Conduct assessments to identify eligible individuals for cash assistance or in-kind support, ensuring alignment with protection principles.
• Monitor the delivery of assistance and document outcomes for reporting and accountability.

Capacity building

• Provide training on protection and case management to newly recruited staff, in addition to refresher training for existing team members.
• Organize and deliver training sessions for caseworkers and other team members on case management, referral pathways, and protection principles.
• Foster a learning environment by facilitating regular case conferences, peer-to-peer learning sessions, and feedback discussions. Provide training on how to identify cases, including protection risks, to field-based protection focal points.

Reporting and Information management

• Monitor case management activities, ensuring that services provided meet the needs of individuals and adhere to protection standards.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case files and program records.
• Coordinate weekly with Information Management team to ensure accuracy of data related to case management activities.
• Prepare and submit timely and detailed reports on case management and C4P+/IPA activities, including trends, challenges, and lessons learned.
• Assist the information management team with relevant trackers to ensure consistency in information validity.
• Support with MEAL activities related to case management.

Community engagement, advocacy and coordination

• Work with community leaders, stakeholders, and beneficiaries to raise awareness about available protection services.
• Advocate for the protection rights of vulnerable individuals and communities in coordination with relevant actors.
• Collaborate with other protection teams, such as GBV and child protection, to ensure a coordinated and holistic response.
• Maintain effective communication with program management and other departments such as EcRec team to ensure integrated service delivery

Finance and HR support

• Under supervision of the Protection Team Leader, draft relevant financial and procurement documents such as PRs, advance Requests for program activities and supports, cash transfer requests, etc
• Support the Protection Manager and Protection Team Leader in recruiting new Protection Assistants and Field-Based Staffs
• Lead the recruitment process for field-based staff together with the Case Management Officer (Protection Focal Points).

Other

• Conduct and/or support on other duties as assigned by the Protection Coordinator and Protection Manager.

Experience and technical competencies

• Bachelor’s degree in social science, Social Work, Public Health, or related disciplines. Preferred Training certificates related to protection, protection monitoring, basic principles and guidelines, child protection, human rights.
• At least 2 years’ experience in protection, community development, social science or health related fields
• Experience working with vulnerable communities
• Excellent knowledge of protection and human rights
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to use own initiative
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to identify needs, risks, and vulnerabilities
• Excellent training and presentation skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with interpretation
• Excellent, clear and concise writing skills
• Advanced experience working both independently and as part of a team
• Advanced coordination experience within and between agencies.
• Fluency in English.
• Other local language us considered as an asset.

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.

Conditions

Contract: DRC will offer the successful applicant a DRC’s Regular contract included 3-month probation. Renewable depends on both funding and performance. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. The position is placed in Employment Band H - non management.

The position requires the candidate who can work and base in Sittwe.

Application and CV

Interested? Click the button to apply. Please send your application, in English, no later than 3rd Feb 2025. 

CV only applications will not be considered.

(Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and shortlisted candidates may be contacted for interview/an offer made before the advertised closing date)