Protection Manager

DRC has been operating in Somalia since 1998 using a protection of human rights framework. Somalia is experiencing a devastating humanitarian crisis, with nearly 80% of the population in need of some form of humanitarian assistance. DRC in Somalia is scaling up the operation in emergency response through an integrated approach accessing hard to reach populations.

Overall purpose of the role

The Protection Manager will lead the strategic direction and ensure quality implementation of DRC’s protection activities across Somalia and Somaliland. They will provide technical oversight of DRC’s protection activities and management of country-level and project-specific protection staff across field operations, ensuring harmonization, sharing of best practices, and compliance with global and organizational standards.

The Protection Manager has technical responsibility over all of DRC’s protection activities. The country office has an exciting and varied funding base with different focus areas, including but not limited to general protection, child protection, protection from gender-based violence, community-based protection, emergency response actions, a mixed migration component, and a dedicated voluntary returnee project.

In addition to technical support and quality assurance, the Protection Manager will lead the development and updating of country-specific protection strategies and will oversee the development of guidelines, standard operating procedures, and tools to ensure harmonization and use of best practices across all areas of operation. Training and capacity building remains important aspect of the role, especially as DRC intends to move into different delivery modalities that are more integrated with other programming components, including programming in hard to reach locations.

Responsibilities

Technical Oversight and Management of Protection Programming

• Design and manage DRC’s general protection, legal protection, GBV, child protection, and other protection interventions as per international best practice standards.
• Conduct rapid needs assessments to inform program design and strategic direction as well as identify risks and vulnerabilities, including those related to gender, age, and disability.
• Develop concrete initiatives to reduce protection risks and design specific strategies to build upon existing assets within the population.
• Develop, adapt, and oversee the rollout and application of quality measures for DRC’s protection activities, in line with SPHERE standards, the Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for Child Protection, and guidelines defined in national coordination fora.
• Conduct and supervise internal and external training on protection-related issues, including protection mainstreaming for DRC staff, partners, and project beneficiaries.
• Contribute to the development of proposals, budgets, concept notes in coordination with relevant DRC departments.

Protection Integration across DRC sectors and programmes in Hard to Reach locations

• Promote integrated programming and ensure internal coordination and harmonisation of DRC protection interventions across sites and with other core sectors, specifically CCCM, Economic Recovery, and Emergency Response programming.
• Contribute to protection mainstreaming across all DRC field offices.

Coordination and Representation

• Represent DRC in general protection coordination meetings, such as the Protection Cluster and the CP-GBV Sub-Cluster working group as well as in relevant technical working groups related to IDP protection and durable solutions, as agreed with the Head of Program.
• Coordinate with government agencies, such as the Ministry of Women, Families and Children Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, UNHCR, UNICEF, protection NGOs, and other key stakeholders on the provision of protection services and relevant contingency planning.
• Ensure internal coordination and harmonization of DRC protection-related activities with DRC Somalia’s regional protection programs.
• Promote improved understanding of protection issues among all relevant stakeholders and ensure the observance of international protection and humanitarian legal standards.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Development

• Take the lead on protection-related proposals as relevant, and ensure that all proposed interventions are protection mainstreamed, regardless of sector, in close collaboration with DRC’s grants, M&E, and program staff.
• Develop protection-focused program monitoring tools.
• Undertake quality control and site monitoring to ensure that services provided are according to international best practice standards.
• Conduct program monitoring as per expected outputs and outcomes.
• Support teams to monitor financial spending and budgets for all protection projects.
• Provide technical inputs and quality assurance to donors and other DRC reports.
• Ensure that the design and implementation of protection activities address the protection needs of refugees, IDPs, and other vulnerable populations within DRC’s mandate.
• Ensure that quality assurance systems are developed and applied, with particular reference to the Core Humanitarian Standard and age, gender, and disability throughout the program.
• Ensure that a protection risk analysis is in place and constantly updated in the area of responsibility.

Management and Supervision

• Lead and manage the country office, and project-specific protection staff (including people planning, performance, well-being, and development)
• Provide technical supervision to protection staff across DRC’s field sites, in collaboration with Area Managers.
• Contribute to the recruitment and performance management of protection staff that fall outside of direct line management responsibility as needed.
• Develop staff capacities on the rights-based approaches, participatory protection assessments and monitoring, and inclusion of vulnerable groups through training, mentoring, and coaching

About you

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 our vision and values.

Qualifications and Experience

• 5-8 years of work experience in law or protection, particularly in refugee, returnee, IDP, and host community protection.
• 6 years of experience working with international NGOs, UN agencies, relevant ministries, or local authorities in responding to the needs of refugees, returnees, IDPs, and host communities
• University or graduate degree in psychology, law, social work, gender, or other relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating with and supporting national and local authorities as well as humanitarian coordination fora.
• Prior experience with GBV-specific programming is a strong asset.
• Excellent analytical and English writing skills Mandatory
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently unsupervised.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and adapt in a complex and challenging environment.
• Experience with capacity building, and in convening and facilitating trainings and workshops.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective and working relations with staff members and other stakeholders.
• Experience living and working in cross-cultural, multi-sector, and/or remote environments.

Conditions

Contract: 12 Months with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment, Employment band Management F

Availability: 1st June 2024 or 15th May 2024.

Duty station: This position is based in Dollow, with frequent travel to all locations in Somalia.

Direct Reports: Protection Specialist, Project Manager – Child Protection, Project Manager – Return & Reintegration, PIM Officer

Reporting Line: Head of Programme

Providing equal opportunities, we are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards: DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.