Protection Assistant

WHO ARE WE?

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 fulfillment 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.

ABOUT THE JOB

The Protection assistant, under the direct supervision of Protection Team Leader, is primarily responsible for advocacy, establishing community protection committees, conducting protection awareness session in communities of high return and displacement, focus group discussions. The Protection Assistant (PA) will work to provide information to IDPs on services and assistance available and refer individual cases for assistance to service providers available. The PA will be involved in community mobilization activities and the follow-up of vulnerable individuals or Persons with Special Needs. Additionally, the PA will support the POs in the organization of workshops and training at community level or for government and other stakeholders on IDP rights, protection and human rights.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure community mobilization as necessary for different activities such as establishing community protection committees, meetings and focus group discussions, events, etc.
• Information dissemination - outreach workers will serve as main channel of communication and information sharing between DRC-DDG and the IDP/returnee population, ensuring that all IDPs/returnees, regardless of literacy and language skills, can access information and services.
• Refer  individual cases for assistance to service providers in the POC or to the Protection Officers for their follow-up or action on the respective cases
• Record all the cases received in the CICs on the intake form and share it with the Protection Officers on a weekly basis.
• Visit IDP households to identify persons with specific needs (PSNs) or to follow-up on identified PSNs under the supervision of the Protection Officers.
• Support the Protection Officers in the follow-up with the relevant partners on individual cases which have been referred as needed. 
• Contribute to the elaboration of work plans and ensure to implement program activities accordingly.
• Support the Protection Officers in the organization of trainings and workshops for the IDP population and relevant stakeholders on IDP rights, responsibilities and other protection-related material. 
• Assist the Protection Officers with the establishment of good working relationships with community activists, chiefs and other relevant actors to encourage participation in, support for and a better understanding of the program activities.
• Conduct daily visits around the POC to observe, identify, and collect information on the situation of the internally displaced people (IDPs), taking into special account vulnerable people, noting and reporting on gaps that may exist in service provision;
• Support in community mobilization and formation of leadership structures, women’s committee, elderly and disabled committee, youth committee as well as other committees or groups;
• Collect data on and report any incidents, threats, or risks in the camp using the Incident Report Form;
• Ensure presence at the reception center or desk at the gate for new arrivals, guiding them through the process and identifying vulnerable individuals if any, taking note and reporting of the specific vulnerabilities and making regular follow up on them after allocation of plots. 
• Conduct regular focus group discussions or other conversational forums with the community to understand their perceptions of service provision within the camp.

Report any discriminatory access to basic provisions and services as water, food, shelter, basic health services, particularly for persons with specific needs;

Key Deliverables:

• Increases awareness on general protection issues including regal right in targeted communities, and IDP/ returnees settlements

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies: 

• At least 1-2 years of work experiences in legal counseling or other activities related to the responsibilities of the position.
• Demonstrated experience in providing legal counseling to clients.
• Work experience with Afghanistan’s laws and/or Afghanistan judicial system. Experience with informal justice systems is an asset.
• Knowledge of and experience working withIDPs/refugees in Afghanistan.
• Strong knowledge of and experience in counseling on issues related to civil documentation, family law, housing/land/property rights, GBV.

Education/qualifications:

• University degree in Law or relevant course – protection related course with community mobilization will be considered.
• An understanding of the basic principles of humanitarian work, human rights, protection, and the needs of internally displaced persons and refugees in Afghanistan.
• Interest in humanitarian work and human rights, ability and willingness to learn.
• Ability to clearly express one’s thoughts, to analyze and present information clearly and concisely.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.

Languages:

• Good knowledge of English, fluency in Pashto and good knowledge of Dari 

We Offer:

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC salary scale

Application process:

Interested? Then apply for this position, 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.

Applications close 11 April 2020. However, please note due to the urgency of this position, the shortlisting process will be ongoing. Should we find qualified candidates prior to the expiry of this advert, interviews will be held immediately.