Protection Officer (Case Management) – Danish Refugee Council

Location:  Gambella
Reports to: Protection Project Manager
Employment Band: H2
Start of Contract & Duration: Seven Months
Posting date: October 21, 2021 

INTRODUCTION 
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental organization founded in 1956 that works in more than 35 countries throughout the world, including Ethiopia and Djibouti. DRC commenced work in Ethiopia in 2009 and currently provides assistance in shelter, WASH, livelihoods and protection in the Gambella, Tigray and Somali regions of the country as well as in Djibouti. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
Under the supervision of the Protection manager, the Protection Officer (Case Management) will implement the assigned case management activities in line with international standards, best practices and DRC protection monitoring guidelines. S/he will also coordinate general protection activities with the rest of Gambella protection team in Tierkidi refugee camp and across other selected host community areas and camps in Gambella region. Specifically, s/he will conduct identification, assessment, planning, intervention and follow-up for professional case management in support of vulnerable beneficiaries. Besides, s/he will plan and conduct protection-monitoring visits in in the camp and timely report on protection trends and risks identified. The position will furthermore, be tasked to identify and provide direct assistance and support to people with specific needs. Additionally, the position is expected to contribute to other protection activities that DRC is implementing in Tierkidi, Kule and Ngunyyiel refugee camps including Pagak reception center of Gambella region.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Implement assigned case management activities in line with international standards, best practices and DRC protection monitoring guidelines
• Conduct identification, assessment, planning, intervention and follow-up for professional case management in support of vulnerable beneficiaries.
• S/he will work with caseworkers, incentive social workers, community structures, and other partner organization representatives and will have a frequent contact with the beneficiary community.
• Responsible to establish standard integrated community protection desk services that can accommodate and ensure socially and culturally relevant services.
• S/he will be reporting to the line supervisor and will be collecting reports from the community volunteers on his part.
• The post holder will be responsible to work closely with and share reports with other likeminded agencies working in the area in consultation with the line supervisor.
• The role holder is responsible to identify, and respond to the needs of the direct beneficiaries, coordinate and collaborate with fellow staffs, other agencies including government bodies working in the area.
• To assess the outputs, outcomes and impact of program interventions and case management activities.
• Representing DRC protection in high profile different protection technical working meeting, cluster, camp-level coordination meetings, and other technical working group meeting as necessary.
• Facilitate case management activities in collaboration with protection partners in the camp, ARRA, UNHCR, refugee central committee, other community-based structures, and provide reports on weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis to the field office and all concerned bodies.
• Facilitate quality monitoring and joint supervision with concerned government sectors, DRC, UNHCR, ARRA, and take timely action in consultation with protection manager and protection team leader and protection team in general.
• Manage and oversee the development, implementation, monitoring and tracking of work plans and budget.
• Provide adequate technical support to protection incentive social workers, caseworkers, community structures and partners in the area of case management.
• The post holder is required to create safe and conduce space to deal with the beneficiaries. It also requires the post holder to conduct referrals of beneficiaries to different services centers and recommend case closure based on the level of improvement of individual beneficiaries.
• The post holder required developing high level of professional discipline and preparedness to investigate cases, analysis, & thinking creatively in the process of solving problems of beneficiaries.
• Integrate case management activities and information with protection monitoring activities in the provision of individualized protection responses like IPA and referrals.
• Maintain good relationships with other stakeholders to collect daily information on fresh displacements and other protection concerns in the camp.
• Provide ongoing mentorship and technical support to the protection caseworkers in the areas of intervention
• Conduct protection needs and vulnerability assessments as relevant
• Ensure the provision of effective protection services and referrals.
• Collaborate with relevant partners to develop and maintain protection referral mechanisms.
• Ensure protection mainstreaming in all of DRC’s interventions.
• Monitor protection trends, needs in DRC’s areas of intervention, and recommend activities and responses for DRC’s and other agencies.
• Ensure ethical and statistically sound data collection, analysis and protection reports procedures.
• Analyze disaggregated protection related data as a means to inform programming and response activities.
• Regularly monitor the project’s protection activities and provide feedback for ensuring activities are responsive, and contextually and culturally appropriate.
• Assisting in developing and conducting assessments, mid-term and end of project reports and evaluations.
• Ensure DRC’s accountability commitments are mainstreamed into all protection activities.
• Support in the development of daily, weekly and monthly reports.
• Ensure proper documentation of all project activities including means of verification, assessments and case studies.
• Contribute to the development of project proposal and concept notes.

Others

• Other relevant duties as directed by the line manager.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience) 

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in an entry to mid-level position, with experience in the field of humanitarian response and refugee/IDP protection working for an international NGO, UN agency or relevant ministry or local authority.
• Technical understanding of core protection concepts, prevention and response strategies, including experience with operationalizing global best practices and international standards for implementing protection monitoring in humanitarian contexts.
• Understanding of protection tools, conducting assessment, that measure different level of protection risks regarding the nature and depth of problem and avail protection responses to reduce its effect.
• Experience in designing and facilitating of training and capacity building on general protection, counselling and/or case management technical areas with a variety of audiences.
• Experience in community mobilization and conducting outreach activities.
• Experience in conducting protection monitoring or protection assessments
• Strong analytical skills
• Proven record of designing and facilitating trainings and workshops on protection-related topics.
• Hands-on experience with supporting community-based protection structures.
• Experience working with displaced or conflict affected populations.
• Strong planning, organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to work both independently and within a team.
• Integrity, strong work ethic, and ability to consistently meet deadlines under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to learning and implementing organizational policies and procedures.
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.

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: Acting in line with DRC’s vision and values

Education: 

• University degree in Sociology, Psychology, Social work, Law, Political Science & International Relations, community development or other related field of social science studies from a recognized institution.

Languages: 

• Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English and Amharic. Knowledge of local language is an asset.

How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post.

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Please forward the application and CV, in English through the stated website no later than November 4, 2021. 

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.ngo
Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.
Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics
We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nationals to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit

Female Applicants are highly encouraged!