Protection Specialist - Child Protection/Psycho - social support

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, and honesty and transparency.

DRC Syria

DRC has been actively operating in Syria since 2008 mainly supporting refugees. In June 2012, DRC was authorized by the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) to expand its humanitarian efforts and provide assistance to IDPs and the vulnerable resident population countrywide. Since then, DRC activities have been focused on NFI distributions, Shelter, WASH, Protection, Education, Livelihoods and Mine Risk Education in six Governorates (Damascus, Rural Damascus, Dara'a, Aleppo, Hama, and Homs). While Protection/community service activities are provided to beneficiaries throughout our six Community Centers.

The protection programme in DRC Syria delivers child protection, psychosocial support and legal services to vulnerable IDPs and host communities through its network of community centres. It aims to respond to some of the needs associated with protracted displacement and help IDPs and host communities (and in the future refugee returnees)  reinforce positive self-protective capacities through the delivery of specialized protection interventions, including case management and individual protection assistance. DRC’s PSS programme is looking to transition from largely unstructured group activities and information provision to the provision of both focused non-specialised PSS programming for men, women and youth. It will also utilise curricula-based PSS programming for children in contact with child protection services. It is envisaged the PSS and CP programmes can be integrated to provide a most holistic package of services to persons of concern.

About the job

The Protection Specialist (Child Protection and Psychosocial Support) will oversee and provide technical oversight of child protection and psychosocial support programming for DRC Syria.  The Specialist will provide technical support to strengthen the capacities of CP and PSS teams to deliver services that enhance well-being and coping capacities of target beneficiary groups.

 Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Lead on development and drafting of CP/PSS strategy for Syria in collaboration with Protection Manager and CP/PSS Team Leaders
• Review existing non-focused, non-specialized PSS materials and update, refine, and adapt to the specific needs of persons of concern.
• Development of focused, non-specialized materials for specific target groups including at least six serialized curricula on diverse topics including parenting sessions, stress management, support to men, and support to adolescent girls and boys
• Refresher materials if needed on facilitation, communication, sensitization, and building empathy.
• Provide day-to-day coaching and mentoring on technical and programme management skills to PSS and CP staff.
• Ensure all programming incorporates Child Protection, GBV, and MHPSS minimum standards and best practice and achieve sustainable results.
• Contribute to proposal development in collaboration with Team Leaders and Protection Manager.
• Develop training plan and deliver training to the PSS/CP staff officers and other relevant staff following assessment of staff capacities;
• On the job support for team leaders, officers, and other relevant staff to implement group sessions including updated materials and newly developed curricula.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect the following:

Required

• Master’s degree in a relevant area, psychology background preferred.
• Extensive work experience designing and implementing CP/PSS programming in complex environments
• Demonstrable experience in developing PSS curricula and delivering trainings on PSS.
• Proven capacity to supervise, and coach staff in child protection and PSS technical skills
• Familiarity with key international standards for humanitarian work (e.g. Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, SPHERE, MHPSS IASC guidelines, Inter-agency guiding principles on UASC, etc.).
• Highly organized and autonomous, able to multi-task and prioritize workload when necessary.
• Sound understanding of humanitarian and protection principles and their application.
• Ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team player.
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy.
• Excellent spoken and written English language

Desirable

• Extensive work experience designing and implementing CP/PSS programming in complex environments, preferably in the Middle-East.
• Arabic speaking and writing skills highly desirable.

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. 

We offer

Contract length:  six months contract

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriate Staff.

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position, go to

And click on "Apply for position".

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.

Closing date for applications: the 23^rd of July 2019. 

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.