Protection Officer

Overall objective

DRC is seeking to add a dynamic and capable Protection Officer to join a strong and dedicated Protection team in Kachin State, Myanmar.

Who are we?

DRC is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) which provides protection and promotes durable solutions for refugees and displaced people worldwide suffering from the effects of war and humanitarian crisis. We operate in more than 30 countries servicing over 1.5 million people. For further details, please click the following link:  https://drc.dk/

DRC has worked in Myanmar since 2009 providing humanitarian and infrastructure assistance to victims of cyclone Nargis in the Ayeyarwady Delta in southern Myanmar. In 2011, DRC/DDG expanded its activities to Rakhine and Kachin, and in 2013, to South Eastern Myanmar, moving its program towards emergency response to the humanitarian crisis of IDPs in camps and camp like situations.

Following the break of a ceasefire in Kachin in June 2011, DRC moved its program towards emergency response to the humanitarian crisis of IDPs in camps and camp like situations. The work includes multi-sectoral programming to address the persistent needs of the displaced, conflict-affected populations in both Kachin and Northern Shan State. Support currently includes construction and maintenance of temporary shelter, livelihood support, community development, mine action, but roots in a strong protection approach and outreach.

DRC’s protection activities in Kachin refer to a broad spectrum of sectors and include regular protection monitoring in IDP camps, related reporting and advocacy work, increased efforts in awareness raising of conflict affected populations, Child Protection, holistic case management and targeted protection emergency assistance to the most vulnerable as well as community protection activities and counter trafficking. The protection focus also links with more proactive cooperation with duty bearers in terms of training as well as accountability. 

DRC/DDG Myanmar currently employs approximately 280 national and over 25 international staff and operates from 7 offices with around 70 national staff and 7 international staff operating in the Kachin and Northern Shan programme. The main donors of DRC in the Kachin programme include DANIDA, ECHO, DFID/HARP, SDC, UNICEF, USAID as well as private trusts / foundations.

The position

The Protection Officer is responsible for the implementation of the day to day activities of the protection activities managed in Kachin. This will include the management and capacity building of national staff as well as contribute to the continual development of the protection strategy and advocacy efforts at State level.

Main Responsibilities:

General

To contribute to achievement of DRC/DDG’s Protection programme objectives in Kachin through the promotion of protection for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other conflict-affected communities, including women, children, vulnerable individuals and other persons with special protection needs in DRC/DDG operational areas in Kachin State, ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of DRC/DDG’s Protection activities and Liaison with relevant stakeholders.

Specific duties will include, but not be limited to:

• Working closely on a day to day basis with the Protection Officer (national) to ensure Protection projects are managed and implemented in an effective and timely fashion, respecting reporting, monitoring and financial requirements specific to each project.
• Support the Protection Officer (national) and Protection Team Leaders and team in implementing, planning, monitoring and timely reporting (weekly and monthly reports) of protection and child protection incidents and concerns, trends and patterns analysis, and inputs to advocacy.
• Support and coach the protection teams in daily protection activities in IDP camps (e.g. focus group discussions, key informant interviews, observation, case management, creation of community based protection groups, capacity building, trainings, among others) and ensure the implementation is in accordance with relevant DRC/DDG standards, guidelines and SOPs, and in coordination with relevant actors in the field;
• Act as the focal person for the Protection activities implemented from Bhamo, Kachin, which will include compiling field data to contribute to quarterly donor reports; involvement in budget follow up meetings, and; support field teams implementing the specific project through capacity building, training and on-the-job mentoring.
• In coordination with the Protection Coordinator, support any improvements to existing Protection tools, including Protection Monitoring Tools, the case management system and approaches regarding community based protection mechanisms
• Through the information gathered from the Protection database and protection reports, support the Protection Coordinator with data analysis; identification of trends and gaps, and; evidence-based reporting.

The ideal candidate represents the majority of the below mentioned areas.

• At least 2 years of experience with international humanitarian programmes, ideally in new or protracted displacement situations. Previous work experience in Asia and/or South-east Asia will be considered an asset;
• At least 1 year of experience with implementing protection activities on-the-ground in new or protracted displacement related contexts, preferably with management experience;
• Proven experience in managing projects, including financial management and planning to ensure targets are met
• Relevant experience working in collaboration and coordination with other protection partners and civil society/community based organizations;
• University Degree in law, public international law, humanitarian law, international relations, political science, social work, or similar;
• Demonstrated ability to conduct trainings and capacity building activities on protection and human rights related topics, including on-the-job coaching and mentoring of national staff;
• Proven advocacy skills and experience with engagement on protection issues within the humanitarian infrastructure;
• Strong interpersonal communication and writing skills;
• Professional fluency in English. Good understanding of any of the local languages will be considered an asset;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, creation of new approaches;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Cultural sensitivity, consensus teambuilding, and adaptability will be considered a strong asset;
• Experience in an insecure context and experience of responsibility for security management is an asset.
• Prior experience of working with DRC or in Myanmar will be considered an asset

All employees should master DRC's core competencies: Communicating, Taking the lead, Collaborating, Striving for excellence and Demonstrating integrity. 

Duty station

Bhamo, Kachin State, with frequent travel within Kachin and to Yangon as needed.

We offer

DRC will offer the successful applicant a contract for 12 months. Envisaged start date is 12 February 2018. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. The position is placed at level A17. Kachin State is a non-family duty station.

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered. Application’s deadline is 2 February 2018.

Please note this is a re-advertisement, and due to the urgent nature of the post applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, suitable candidates may be contacted for interview before the application closure date.

Need further information?

For more details on this position please contact Johannes Dehler, DRC Protection Coordinator Kachin at johannes.dehler@drcmm.org

Please note that applications sent directly to Mr Dehler will not be considered.

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