Protection Coordinator

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfilment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation.

Overall purpose of the role:

The national Protection Coordinator position is the highest-level Protection staff in country, with technical responsibility for the overall country level Protection sector. S/he works as part of the DRC team under the line management of the Head of Programs and under technical supervision of the Regional Protection Coordinator (or HQ Global Protection Advisor, where RPC is not available), and in close coordination with the field offices. The position is based in Amman and is responsible for the timely implementation of Protection activities in all project areas - and their quality.

The national Protection Coordinator is responsible for leading country level Protection analysis and strategy development and implementation; providing Protection sectoral technical advice, support, and has the authority to instruct; leading and overseeing Protection sectoral technical line supervision responsibilities throughout the program/project cycle; ensuring quality Protection sectoral programming and compliance with sector standards, including leading monitoring and evaluation efforts, staff capacity building and training, development of Protection tools and approaches; and technically lead Protection sectoral coordination and representation efforts. The Coordinator will support the business development efforts by providing input and guidance.

About the job:

The individual will report directly to the Head of Programme. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Programme Strategy & Development

• Lead the contextual revision and rollout of the DRC Jordan protection strategy, aligned with the DRC Jordan Strategic Plan and Global Strategy and responsive to the changing context in Jordan.
• Lead the technical design and review of protection related concept notes, logical frameworks, budgets and full proposals in coordination with the HoP, and Grants team.
• Map donor priorities within Protection sector and identify new fundraising opportunities.
• Lead on developing and strengthening methods and tools for country-level protection analysis, including assessments and activity-based data collection, to inform evidence-based programme design and implementation.
• Propose innovative project design ideas and explore their feasibility.
• Foster and ensure integration of Protection activities with other DRC sectors, particularly Economic Recovery.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the evolving context in Jordan, the specific dynamics impacting the protection environment, and protection risk patterns across the country and specific to particular areas.
• Maintain close working relationships with DRC Regional and HQ counterparts to ensure that DRC Jordan’s programmatic priorities align with and respond to regional and global priorities. 

Quality Assurance and Learning

• Ensure DRC Jordan’s protection programme is relevant to the evolving context, in-line with global protection sector standards and DRC’s relevant guidance, and that it is consistent across all areas of operation.
• Ensure all Protection tools, SoPs and guidelines are in place for all activities and regularly updated, provide sound and coordinated revision when needed, and ensure all relevant staff are trained and are implementing as per the standards. 
• Lead in developing approaches and tools and ensuring relevant staff are trained to mainstream protection and age, gender and diversity throughout the protection programme, and support mainstreaming in other sectors.
• Facilitate contextual and programmatic learning processes related to protection, and ensure learning is documented and shared with relevant colleagues.
• Regularly visit programme activities and provide support and feedback to staff and implementing partners on programme approaches and methodological issues. 
• Provide oversight and monitoring of overall sector budget, monitoring for timely sector-level spending, and initiate corrective action, including internal and donor budget realignments.
• Provide oversight of overall protection programme implementation progress and quality, including identification, resolution and/or escalation of issues affecting implementation.
• Support the MEAL department in rolling out qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation approaches aiming to building contextually grounded learning into programme activities; as well as developing harmonized tools and databases to monitor and track efficiency and quality of programming and improve information management.

Human Resources and Staff Development

• Oversee the development of harmonized job descriptions and structures for protection teams across all areas and support recruitment of technical protection staff.
• Provide supportive supervision and line management to the country protection team.
• Identify technical gaps and support capacity building for protection teams, and contribute to setting performance objectives and performance appraisals.

External Representation, Coordination and Partnerships

• Represent DRC in relevant coordination forums and technical groups, and provide high quality technical inputs to maintain DRC’s reputation as one of the leading protection actors in Jordan.
• Directly attend the national level protection-related coordination meetings and supervise DRC’s representation at the sub-national level (where applicable).
• Act as the main sector-level point of contact with donors as requested by the Head of Programme, including providing protection programme updates and support donor visits to the field.
• Liaise with local, regional, and national government authorities and relevant stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for partnerships and develop collaborative relationships with local and national civil society actors towards achieving sustainable protection outcomes.
• Support with capacity assessment and capacity building efforts to strengthen technical capacities of DRC’s partners.
• Take active role in sharing DRC’s protection advocacy messages in relevant coordination forums. 

Grants Management

• Work closely with the Head of Programme and the Grants Manager to secure strategic funding opportunities and develop concept notes and proposals based on identified gaps and needs.
• In coordination with the Grants Department, produce and revise quality reports to ensure accurate, coherent and timely reporting.

Other

• Ensure adherence to DRC’s Age, Gender, and Diversity policy and AGD programmatic minimum standards  
• Ensure compliance with zero-tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy.  
• Ensure documentation and consolidation of success stories, in coordination with DRC’s communications and advocacy team, which can be communicated externally and to ensure that DRC is able to articulate and document relevant best practice.  
• Ensure compliance with DRC guidelines and policies on HR, admin, finance, and supply chain in accordance with the Operational Handbook.
• Perform other relevant tasks as requested by and in discussion with the Head of Programme. 

About you

To be successful in this role we expect that you possess the following:

• University degree relevant to humanitarian work: preferably in law, social sciences or humanitarian aid.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in humanitarian protection programming, including at least 3 years in management roles, in conflict-related refugee response contexts.
• Strong knowledge of global protection sector standards in DRC’s core specializations (protection monitoring, GBV prevention and response, child protection, protection case management (adult/non-GBV), community-based protection, legal aid, psychosocial support).
• Significant knowledge of International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law.
• Strong familiarity with the Results-Based Protection (RBP) approach, Protection Analytical Framework (PAF), and Protection Information Management (PIM) standards; approaches and tools to mainstream protection and age, gender and diversity.
• Experience with managing teams with diverse backgrounds and providing technical guidance and training.
• Proven communication, interpersonal, representation skills.
• Proven strong analytical and communication skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to quickly develop good insight and understanding of the conflict, the human rights situation and the political environment of the programme country.
• Sound understanding of humanitarian architecture.
• Cultural sensitivity and adaptability.
• Able to manage high workload, stress and be flexible.
• Strong commitment to humanitarian and protection principles, and to DRC’s values.
• Experience in Jordan or in the Middle East Context highly desirable.
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic & English

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ 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 DRC’s vision and values. 

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Location: Amman

Closing date for applications: 28-12-2025

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.