Protection Outreach Officer

About the job

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been working in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1992 and closed its office in the country at the end of January 2010 after 18 years. In July 2018 DRC re-opened its mission responding to increasing and priority needs of Person of Concern (PoCs) in close cooperation with the BiH Authorities. More specifically DRC BiH focuses on improving the access to primary and secondary health care including psychosocial and mental health services to PoCs, as well as on enhancing the overall protective environment for PoCs, with particular focus on case management in SGBV, and timely outreach response to rights violations at the borders. DRC has main office in Sarajevo and activities implemented in Una-Sana, Herzegovina- Neretva, Sarajevo and Tuzla Canton.

Project implementation period:  1 October – 31 March 2020

Duty Station:  Bosnia and Herzegovina countrywide: USC, SC, TC, HNC – 3 positions

Period of engagement: contingent on donor funding

Basic functions: Outreach Protection Officer is responsible for providing timely and effective protection to refugees, asylum seekers and populations of concern being disembarked, stranded or residing outdoors under undignified living circumstances. He/she is also responsible for providing direct protection response and undertaking monitoring and reporting activities targeting PoCs in need of basic humanitarian assistance.

Reference:  Outreach Protection Officer refers to the Protection Team Leader under the supervision of the Protection Program Manager, working in close coordination with other members of the DRC team. 

Specific duties and responsibilities:

• Overseeing and reporting on refugee and migrant situation stranded or left unattended with basic humanitarian assistance at various locations in USC, HNC, Tuzla Canton and Sarajevo Canton;
• Monitoring and ensuring effective outreach for persons with protection needs, prioritizing the most vulnerable and those difficult to identify;
• Identifying protection cases and other service needs and ensure timely referral and follow up from insecure outdoor areas to responsive service and safe shelter;
• Documenting all cases referred by DRC to other service providers, as per DRC and other humanitarian standards for referrals and data protection;
• Providing adequate assistance to Persons with Specific Needs (PWSN) left exposed and unattended in insecure outdoor areas focusing on: women at risk (with particular focus on GBV survivors), children at risk (and in particular unaccompanied and separated children -UASC), persons with disabilities, elderly persons, etc., in line with international standards and best practices;
• Ensuring cross-sectorial Protection Mainstreaming, and in particular Protection Mainstreaming within the DRC implemented Project;
• Working in close coordination with other team members to ensure protection activities are in line with the overall project goal and specific objectives;
• Reporting on incidents and issues of concern targeting PoCs left exposed and unattended in insecure outdoor areas, ensuring effective data and information management;
• Distribution of emergency non-food items and energy-saving supplies to the most vulnerable PoCs
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & experience required 

• Bachelor degree in Law, Social/Political science or other relevant field;
• Experience on refugee/migration related issues would be an asset

Work Experience

• At least 2 years of experience in refugee/displacement programs, with focus on protection work, or at least 2 years of experience in working with local socially vulnerable groups;

Key Competencies

• Ability to work in an international and multi-cultural environment as a flexible and respectful team player, and under emergency conditions;
• Strong community communication skills; willingness and availability to spend 100% of the time in the field, including night shifts;
• Problem solving, analytical and writing skills, with the ability to produce reports for internal and external use;
• Fluency in spoken and written in BCS (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) English;
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Word and Excel);
• Valid driving license, high level of professionalism evidence by clear driver’s record;

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.