Protection Assistant

About DRC   
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental and non-profit organization, founded in 1956, that works in more than 35 countries around the world. DRC is one of the largest protection actors in Kenya, actively coordinating and advocating for improving the protective environment for refugees and host communities.  DRC implements Protection monitoring, Child Protection and GBV prevention and response programmes in its areas of operation to address protection issues faced by displaced and non-displaced at-risk groups and individuals. The programme also aims to identify and build synergies with DRC´s Economic Recovery sector to facilitate durable solutions and Humanitarian Disarmament & Peace Building activities to enhance to respond to the needs of communities affected by acute crisis as well as those in protracted displacement situations.

Overall purpose of the role:  
The responsibility of the Protection Assistant is to support protection work in the SDACKED (Supporting Displacement Affected Communities in Kenya with Entrepreneurship Development) project, a 4-year Sweden-funded project implemented by DRC. The purpose of this post is to provide day to day management and psychosocial support and related activities. In particular, the person recruited shall be responsible for addressing mental health needs of persons of concern (PoCs), sexual and gender-based violence prevention activities and awareness raising campaigns within the community and conduct protection monitoring. In collaboration with the Protection Officer, s/he will be in charge of providing effective case management. S/he will work and liaise closely with the Protection Officer on documentation of project activities as per the donor requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Contribute and ensure there is provision of professional and confidential protection – psychosocial services to survivors of GBV and other beneficiaries through a survivor-centered case management approach.
• Participate in the implementation of prevention activities like EMAP (Engaging Men through Accountable Practices) and other GBV prevention tools.
• Support in the identification of extremely vulnerable persons for appropriate direct DRC support or referral to other actors for services not offered by the organization.
• Conduct sensitization, dialogue sessions with the wider population on ways to prevent & stop SGBV.
• Participate in the implementation of the mentorship programme through: identification of mentors and mentees, capacity building and training of mentors and mentees, appropriate pairing of mentors and mentees, taking corrective measures where pairing is reported as being problematic and monitoring the mentor-mentee relationships.
• Play a contributive role in the design and development of sector concept notes and proposals.
• Support in protection data collection, quality, analysis and maintaining a reliable beneficiary database in line with data protection policy/guidelines.
• Work closely with the Economic Recovery, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning) and Advocacy & Communications team/s to contribute in enhancing project integration through well thought out strategies.
• Ensure Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) are mainstreamed in day to day project implementation.
• Contribute in submission of timely and high-quality activity and donor progress reports that include documentation of project milestones through case studies and human-interest stories, for influencing impact at scale and contributing to fundraising.
• Assist the Protection Officer in the project kick-off, review, project closure, periodic review, planning and external meetings as often and as requested by the supervisor.
• Assist to promote collaboration and synergy amongst supported entrepreneurs.
• Collaborate with other DRC sectors and PBOs (Public Benefit Organization) to ensure a coordinated and collaborative response to the provision of services and assistance for those benefiting from case management.
• Maintain and strengthen existing networks through other service providers in the urban areas to ensure that survivors receive quality services and support both at the agency levels.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the Protection Officer in consultation with the SDACKED Project Manager to ensure the project expectations are met.

Experience and technical competencies:  

• Minimum of 2 years’ field experience in protection, sexual and gender based-violence (SGBV), psychosocial support and social work programming in an international PBO or other relevant agency.
• Good project management skills, with experience in multiple location and projects.
• Experience in implementing behaviour change communication and community mobilization strategies such as EMAP, Community Based Protection (CBP) and others.
• Experience working in urban displacement responses in multi-sectoral interventions.
• Good planning, organization and problem-solving skills with ability to work both independently and within a team in a demanding working environment.
• Experience in capacity building of staff, beneficiaries and in convening, facilitating trainings and workshops.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• A demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with both county and national governments, donors, partners, local organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Good level of communication and interpersonal skills.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Sociology; Counseling and/or Psychology, Social Work.

Language: 

• Fluent in written and spoken English, Swahili and Somali languages.
• 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.

Conditions  

• Contract: One-year contract with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment.
• Availability: September, 2024
• Duty station: DRC Mandera office, Mandera County

Application and CV:  
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.  
DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. Please remember to upload both a letter of application and your CV and do not attach any written recommendations.  
Please submit your application and CV in English no later than 1st August, 2024
Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels.  In light of this, Female candidates and those from minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
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, color, race, marital status or other protected characteristics.  
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. Visit drc.ngo to read more about what we do to secure robust safeguarding mechanisms. 
If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.