The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), one of the world’s leading humanitarian non-governmental organizations, is seeking a highly qualified and motivated professional to join its team as Protection Specialist – Roving. This role offers an opportunity to contribute to impactful, life-saving humanitarian operations in complex and challenging environments.

We are looking for a results-oriented individual with a strong commitment to humanitarian principles, operational excellence, and partnership development, who is ready to play a key role in strengthening protection systems that support effective programme delivery.

About the Job

Overall purpose of the role

Under the supervision of the Head of Programme, the Protection Specialist will support the Protection Coordinator in leading DRC's protection programming across the country. The Protection Specialist will provide technical leadership, quality assurance, mentoring, and supervision support to DRC's protection programming across General Protection (GP) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) interventions.

The position will focus on strengthening the quality, consistency, and accountability of DRC's and its partners’ case management, Individual Protection Assistance (IPA), psychosocial support (PSS), Psychological First Aid (PFA), crisis counselling, and referral services through structured supervision, coaching, technical accompaniment, and review mechanisms.

The role will work closely with field teams and partners to strengthen adherence to inter-agency standards and ensure survivor-centred, protection-sensitive, ethical, and safe programming approaches across all individual protection interventions. This position involves frequent travel to DRC’s area offices.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Oversight of Protection Programming

  • Ensure that DRC's and partners’ protection interventions, including specialised assistance such as IPA, GBV, MHPSS, and protection case management activities, are designed and implemented according to best practices and inter-agency standards.
  • Develop, together with the Protection Coordinator, relevant guidelines, SOPs, and tools to support safe, sensitive, and quality protection activities across field locations.
  • Provide guidance to protection field teams to ensure GP and GBV case management is implemented in line with inter-agency guidelines and standard operating procedures.
  • Provide technical oversight and quality assurance support to GP and GBV case management services.
  • Conduct regular case reviews and technical supervision sessions for GBV and GP caseworkers.
  • Review case files and documentation to ensure compliance with SOPs, confidentiality, informed consent, and safe data management standards.
  • Support the development and strengthening of supervision and case conferencing mechanisms.
  • Identify technical gaps and support corrective action planning with field teams.
  • Strengthen quality standards for IPA processes, including eligibility review, documentation quality, risk analysis, and follow-up mechanisms.
  • Monitor the implementation quality of structured and unstructured PSS activities.
  • Collaborate with field teams and PIMs to develop protection and case management information management tools and ensure all data is up to date, while ensuring data protection and sharing protocols are in place and observed.
  • Provide training, coaching, and mentoring support to field teams.
  • Develop, adapt, and oversee the rollout and application of quality measures for DRC’s protection activities in line with SPHERE standards, DRC protection minimum standards, inter-agency GBV guidelines, Inter-Agency Minimum Standards for Child Protection, national coordination guidelines, and other relevant standards.
  • Provide support to protection mainstreaming across the organization.

Coordination and Representation

  • Coordinate closely with Protection Managers (where applicable), Team Leaders, Specialists, and IM teams to strengthen integrated quality approaches.
  • Participate in relevant technical working groups and coordination forums as requested.
  • Support harmonization of approaches in line with inter-agency standards and national guidance.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Development

  • Support the Protection Coordinator and Head of Programme in planning and designing protection-related proposals as required.
  • Develop protection-focused programme monitoring tools as needed and upon request.
  • Monitor protection project workplans, M&E plans, and recruitment plans to ensure progress aligns with project timelines and targets.
  • Conduct quality control and site monitoring to ensure services are delivered in line with international best standards.
  • Conduct programme monitoring to ensure achievement of expected outputs and outcomes.
  • Monitor implementation of specialised services including case management, IPA, and PSS to ensure alignment with DRC guidelines, inter-agency standards, and local SOPs.
  • Review project and programme donor reports in coordination with the Protection Coordinator.
  • Explore new business and partnership opportunities, and support development of proposals, concept notes, and budgets.

Management and Supervision

  • Provide technical supervision to protection staff across DRC field sites, in collaboration with the Protection Coordinator and Area Managers.
  • Contribute to recruitment and performance management of protection staff as needed.
  • Strengthen staff capacity on rights-based approaches, participatory protection assessments and monitoring, inter-agency CP and GBV guidelines, and inclusion of vulnerable groups through training, mentoring, and coaching.
  • Conduct and supervise internal and external trainings on protection-related issues, including protection mainstreaming for DRC staff, partners, and beneficiaries.

Requirements

Education

  • Minimum of a university or graduate degree in social studies, international development, gender, or another relevant field.

Experience

  • Minimum 5 years’ work experience in the field of protection.
  • At least 3 years’ experience working with INGOs/UN in IDP/refugee settings and/or complex emergencies in a mid-level position.
  • Demonstrated experience in at least one of the following areas: General Protection, MHPSS, CP, GBV, Community-Based Protection, or provision of specialised services (case management, IPA, counselling).
  • Experience in emergency contexts is highly desirable.
  • Proven experience coordinating with and supporting national/local authorities and humanitarian coordination forums.
  • Excellent analytical skills.
  • Ability to work effectively and independently with minimal supervision.
  • Demonstrated ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and adapt in complex and challenging environments.
  • Experience in capacity building and facilitating trainings and workshops.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective working relationships with staff and stakeholders.

Languages

  • Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
  • Knowledge of Arabic or other local languages is an added advantage.
At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.