Duty Station : Yangon, Myanmar or Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh with significant travel to Myanmar/Bangladesh.

Report to : Head of Programme

Overall purpose of the role:

DRC is seeking a highly qualified Country Protection Manager to lead and coordinate DRC’s overall protection activities in Myanmar and Bangladesh. DRC is a leading protection actor in Myanmar and Bangladesh, delivering services to refugees and host communities across Cox’s Bazar, and across Rakhine and the Northeast of Myanmar where programming spans Protection Information Management (PIM), Child Protection, Gender Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response, Community-Based Protection (CBP) and Mental Health and Psychosocial support (MHPSS). Reporting to the Head of Programme (HoP) for Bangladesh and Myanmar, the merged Country Protection Manager is responsible for leading country-level protection analysis, strategy development and providing technical implementation support and has the authority to instruct across both countries. The postholder will be responsible for leading and overseeing Protection sectoral technical line supervision for protection staff and interventions that contain protection, throughout the programme / project cycle, as well as holding overall technical responsibility for compliance with protection programming standards and quality protection programming across mentioned sub-sectors, including leading monitoring and evaluation, , protection mainstreaming and advocacy efforts, staff capacity building and training, development of protection tools and approaches. The role works closely with protection teams, MEAL/IM colleagues, and other sector leads to drive evidence-based, integrated programming; and represents DRC with external stakeholders and in relevant coordination fora (e.g., ISCG/Protection Sector in Bangladesh; Protection Cluster working groups in Myanmar). The role contributes to programme development together with the HoP, Area Manager, Programme Managers, Grants Manager and Protection Project Managers. The role is part of the merged Bangladesh and Myanmar operation and will work closely with the HoP to identify synergies and learning opportunities across both contexts. The role can be based in either (i) Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, with significant time spent in Myanmar (up to 50%), or (ii) in Yangon, Myanmar (visa dependent), with significant time spent in Bangladesh (up to 50%).

Responsibilities:

Protection Sectoral Technical Responsibility

  • Lead the contextual revision and roll-out of country protection strategies for Myanmar and Bangladesh, in consultation with HoP and technical/area teams, ensuring alignment with global priorities.
  • Develop and strengthen methods and tools for protection analysis (assessments, activity-based data collection, risk-pattern analysis), informing evidence-based program design and adaptive implementation, including in access-constrained environments.
  • Maintain up-to-date contextual knowledge on protection environments, trends and risks in Myanmar and Bangladesh to support strategic decision-making.
  • Technically responsible for the overall protection portfolio.
  • Act as a reference point for other sectors’ colleagues for Protection Mainstreaming
  • Maintain close working relationships with DRC HQ counterparts to ensure that DRC Myanmar and Bangladesh programmatic priorities align with and respond to regional and global priorities.

Protection Programme Development and Oversight 

  • Lead the technical design and review of protection-related concept notes, logframes, budgets and full proposals, identifying donor trends, innovative project ideas, gaps and opportunities across both contexts.
  • Ensure integration of Protection with other sectors (e.g., Economic Recovery, HDP, CCCM where relevant) and promote cross-country learning and harmonization of technical approaches.
  • Maintain oversight of overall protection programme implementation, including budgets and indicators, in close collaboration with HoP, Area managers, Programme Managers, Grants Managers and Protection Project Managers.
  • Participate in protection programme / project review meetings, including grant opening, grant review and close out meetings.
  • Identify and assess potential local partners to work with in protection service delivery.

Programme Quality Assurance

  • Provide oversight of technical aspects of protection programme implementation progress and quality; identification, resolution and/or escalation of issues affecting implementation. Identify any areas where further technical support, oversight or resources are needed. Conduct regular missions to the service locations and engaging with teams on a regular basis.
  • Ensure protection programming remains relevant to evolving contexts and compliant with global protection standards and DRC guidance, providing timely technical inputs for quality monitoring, donor reporting, analytical briefs, and policy notes.
  • Ensure all Protection tools, SoPs and guidelines are 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 collaboration with MEAL Manager, on the development of quality assurance systems and ensure they are applied throughout the programme / project cycle.
  • Strengthen Protection data collection, IM and MEAL approaches, including harmonized tools and databases to monitor and track impact, efficiency and quality, and support protection data processing/analysis; familiarity with PIM, GBVIMS+/CPIMS+ and dashboarding tools is applied to improve decision-making.
  • Review and finalise protection monitoring reports, and support teams with data processing and analysis.
  • Collaborate closely with sector coordinators/managers to deliver integrated, evidence-based, agile programming responsive to displacement-affected people.
  • Lead the development and inclusion of gender, diversity and inclusion standards/KPIs and mainstreaming tools across protection activities.
  • Lead the self-assessment based on the Protection Programme Quality Framework (PPQF) once a year and contribute to the annual Protection Survey.
  • Provide technical inputs to consortiums across both countries (e.g., as protection technical lead) and support joint tools/analysis (including PART-style analytical products) to drive collective outcomes.
  • Act as the focal point for PSEA and Protection Mainstreaming, providing training and awareness raising, and be an active member of the PSEA network.
  • Contribute, alongside Grants Department and PMs, in preparing quality monthly/quarterly/annual highlights/reports to ensure accurate, coherent and timely reporting.

Representation and Advocacy

  • Represent DRC in national and sub-national coordination fora (Bangladesh: ISCG, Protection Sector/sub-sectors; Myanmar: Protection Cluster SAG and technical groups), providing high-quality technical inputs and promoting DRC’s evidence-based positions.
  • As requested by HoP, attend relevant donor meetings and respond to requests for information from external stakeholders and guide advocacy messaging on protection issues.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of protection issues and trends and share this information with donors, at coordination meetings, with all teams and senior management as appropriate.
  • Develop protection reports and analysis on identified protection concerns for internal and external briefings including finalize and disseminate monthly protection monitoring reports that include clear targeted recommendations for different stakeholders
  • Support advocacy priorities on protection, developing high-quality briefs, position papers, and targeted recommendations for multiple stakeholders, working with HoP, Grants, PMs and Advocacy colleagues.
  • Build collaborative relationships with local civil society and partners in both countries to strengthen sustainable protection outcomes, in close coordination with Partnerships focal points.

Training and Capacity Building

  • Identify technical gaps and lead capacity-strengthening plans (in-person and remote) for protection and non-protection staff and local partners, covering RBP/PAF, protection mainstreaming, AGD, PSEA, case management, CBP, and protection monitoring. Contribute to setting performance objectives and performance appraisals of Protection Managers and Specialists.
  • Provide regular updates/training on Protection Mainstreaming and PSEA and serve as technical reference point across sectors (without line-management responsibilities).
  • Contribute to harmonized role profiles and structures for protection teams and advise on recruitment of technical protection staff alongside managers/HR (advisory, not supervisory).

People Management and Technical Supervision

  • Supervise, mentor, and provide direction to all protection staff, and authority to instruct – including issuing instructions and providing strategic direction on issues related to the protection sector, as well as direct line management of three Country Office Protection Specialists, ensuring effective performance management and quality implementation of assigned activities in line with work plans and standards.
  • Lead recruitment, onboarding, supervision, and performance appraisals of direct reports, and support recruitment for area-level protection staff with Area Manager.
  • Set clear objectives and work plans for protection teams and promote professional development through regular capacity-building opportunities, including training on trauma-informed programming and survivor-centred approaches.

Accountability​

  • Ensure that DRC’s protection programming meets minimum standards, including on accountability to affected populations and is carried out in accordance with the Common Humanitarian Standards and Quality Management 
  • 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 specialist, 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

Experience and technical competencies:

  • Master’s degree in social sciences, development studies, international relations, psychology, social work or other relevant fields
  • A minimum of 4 years of relevant work experience, technical knowledge, and significant experience working in refugee contexts delivering protection services to affected populations.
  • Strong knowledge of global protection sector standards in DRC’s core specialisations (protection monitoring, GBV prevention/response, child protection, case management (adult/non-GBV), community-based protection, legal aid, psychosocial support; priority on monitoring, case management and CBP);
  • Experience with strategy development/implementation, protection mainstreaming and AGD, and integrating protection with other sectors; familiarity with GBVIMS+/CPIMS+, Power BI or similar dashboards is an asset.
  • Experience with Protection Information Management Systems including an understanding of conducting data collection within case management and community engagement activities. Strong experience in protection data analysis.
  • Proven experience in capacity strengthening and mentoring of staff; strong cultural sensitivity and experience working with persons from various backgrounds.
  • Demonstrated ability to think strategically, plan and manage own time effectively, prioritise and meet deadlines.
  • Demonstrated experience in team management, including previous experience in the direct line management of staff.
  • Ability to multi- task and oversee interventions in different field locations concurrently.
  • Solid experience in project cycle management, including proposal writing, budget management and donor reporting.
  • Proven experience of capacity building and training, including preparation of materials and facilitation, particularly on the topics of human rights, protection mainstreaming, community-based protection, protection monitoring, age, gender and diversity mainstreaming, PSEA, protection information dissemination.
  • Excellent English writing ability and verbal skills for project proposals, reports, and communications.
  • Prior experience in the Rohingya response (Bangladesh) and/or in Myanmar is desirable; knowledge of ECHO, Danida, GAC, FCDO, DFAT funding is an asset.
  • Advanced level of English

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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Conditions:

Contract: DRC will offer the successful applicant a DRC’s Regular contract including 3-month probation period. Renewable depends on both funding and performance. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. The position is in Employment Band F-management.

Application and CV

Interested? Click here to apply. Please send your application, in English, no later than 6th May 2026.

CV only applications will not be considered.

(Applications  will  be  reviewed  on  a  rolling  basis,  and  shortlisted  candidates  may  be  contacted  for interview/an offer made before the advertised closing date)

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