Protection Officer

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 Officer is to lead and oversee protection work in the financial inclusion project funded by Sweden. The project is led by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in collaboration with KCB Bank, KCB Foundation and Chamasoft Ltd. Under the direct supervision of the SDACKED Project Manager, the Protection Officer is to provide strategic and technical contribution in the day to day implementation of the project to ensure sound delivery of all protection tasks within the project context and design.

Duties & Responsibilities:
Responsibilities

• Project Management/Development, Monitoring & Evaluation
• Plan, oversee and support the broad implementation of the SDACKED project Protection activities in Mandera.
• Assess vulnerable persons of concern and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), ensuring that individual and group level support is provided with regular case reviews and file audits.
• Ensure provision of professional and confidential Protection, psychosocial services to survivors of GBV and other beneficiaries through a survivor-centered case management approach. 
• Take lead in designing and developing sector concept notes and proposals.   
• Facilitate formation of support groups for survivors of SGBV and other vulnerable groups.
• Take lead in Protection data analysis and maintain a reliable beneficiary database in line with data protection policy/guidelines.
• Take lead in the implementation of prevention activities like EMAP (Engaging Men through Accountable Practices) and other GBV prevention tools.
• Submit timely and high-quality activity, donor and internal progress reports that include documentation of project milestones through case studies and human-interest stories for influencing impact at scale and contributing to fundraising.
• Lead the Protection team in kick-off, review and project closure meetings. This includes periodic project review, planning, external meetings as often and as requested by the supervisor.
• Ensure project staff adhere to the CHS (Core Humanitarian Standards) in project implementation; participate in CHS audits and support the MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability & Learning) plan. 

Technical Implementation

• Mainstream Protection in financial inclusion and protection of the vulnerable population; ensuring adherence to rights, safety, dignity and accountability of the persons of concern. 
• Conduct progressive protection monitoring and follow ups to check on progress of CSLAs (Community Savings and Loans Associations) and individuals with various protection, GBV and psychosocial support (PSS) issues that are affecting their full engagement in the financial inclusion ecosystem. 
• Develop a Protection and financial trigger system that monitors any change in the situation; elevating participants to a higher level for additional support and counselling as a form of early detection to reduce any negative behaviour as a result of financial stress.
• Provide individual and group therapy to persons of concern facing any mental health issues hindering them from fully thriving in a financial inclusion ecosystem. 

Coordination & Partnership

• Develop and maintain effective working relationship with all stakeholders, community members and leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, and other DRC team members to enhance multi-agency and multi-sectoral cooperation and coordination on response activities.
• Promote collaboration and synergy between refugee-focused interventions and the host communities. 
• Actively participate and maintain a strong working relationship with protection cluster and related working groups to support the provision of quality services to persons of concern.

Budget Management

• Support in ensuring sound budget expenditure and adherence to DRC’s financial procedure and donor requirements as related to the Protection sector. 
• Draft spending, procurement and work plans based on Protection activities and budget. 

Experience and technical competencies: 

• Minimum of 3 years’ field experience in leading and managing Protection programming in an international NGO or other relevant agency and comprehension of behaviour change communication strategies such as EMAP and SASA! 
• Technical experience in Protection programming including case management, GBV programming (prevention and response), conflict sensitivity analysis and psychosocial support (PSS).
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills and ability to work in a challenging environment, reporting and meeting set deadlines.
• Strong project management skills, with experience managing multiple location and project budgets. 
• Experience working with multi-sectoral interventions.
• Strong planning, organization and problem-solving skills with ability to work both independently and within a team in a demanding work environment.
• Good analytical and strategic planning skills.
• A demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with county and national government, donors, partners, local organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Good level of communication and interpersonal skills.

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Sociology – majoring in Counseling and/or Psychology, Social Work.
• Fluent in written and spoken English and Swahili.
• Knowledge of the local language; Somali is an added advantage

Language: 

• English 
• Swahili
• Somali (a plus)

Key stakeholders: Internal & External

• Programme Management Unit, MEAL staff, implementing field teams, senior management team and support service team.
• Technical working group(s), communities, local, county and national government authorities, relevant NGOs/CBOs and humanitarian agencies including DRC partners and donors as appropriate

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: July 2024
• Duty station: Mandera base office, Mandera

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 28th June 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.