Protection Assistant

Introduction

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. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

The Danish Refugee Council initiated its activities in the island of Lesvos in November 2015 due to the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers. Following new political developments and displacement dynamics in early 2016, DRC expanded its activities to the mainland to support the people living in several sites across the country. With offices in Athens, Larissa and Thessaloniki, it currently implements a wide range of activities, including Site Management Support, legal assistance, identification of individual needs and protection of highly vulnerable persons, access to services within and outside the hosting sites through cultural mediation, and non-formal education. DRC works closely with the refugee communities, the Greek authorities and other humanitarian actors to ensure a protective environment for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece.  

Purpose

Under supervision of the Protection Monitoring Officer and the Protection Monitoring Team Leader and in close coordination with other DRC field units, the Protection Monitoring Assistant will contribute to the implementation of all Protection objectives under DRC projects in the Long Term Accommodation Centers. Furthermore, the Protection Monitoring Assistant will develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern, relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, support adequate implementation and coordination of DRC’s Protection activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include, but not necessarily be limited, to the following:

• Support the implementation of general protection activities in accordance with agreed objectives
• Continuously monitor and document the needs of the persons of concern
• Participating in (joint) assessments, identifying protection concerns and reporting for follow-up
• Support Protection Monitoring Officers on conducting vulnerability assessments 
• Support mapping of services and development of effective referral pathways
• Identify vulnerable individuals and facilitate appropriate action, including referrals to specialized services and protective accompaniment as necessary
• Support DRC distribution activities ensuring vulnerable individuals are identified and fast tracked for assistance
• Continuously monitor the provision of services on the site and report on findings, to ensure Protection considerations are mainstreamed across all sectors;
• Provide appropriate and relevant information to refugees and migrants regarding their rights and access to services available to them
• Participate in awareness raising sessions and information campaigns for persons of concern
• Undertake the vulnerability assessments for the population residing on site, with special attention to official new arrivals. Identify and assess whether different needs are followed-up while drafting referrals to specialized actors and protection services if needed
• Support the Protection Monitoring Officer with undertaking and completing vulnerability assessments for recognized refugees that fall under the Ministry of Migration’s exit strategy, ensuring completion of quality, comprehensive assessments according to agreed SoPs and considering protection principles of “do no harm”, impartiality, objectivity, sensitivity, confidentiality and informed consent are been considered throughout the process of the assessments.
• Conduct info-sessions and FGD in relation to access to rights within the Greek system, report back with quality and comprehensive reports 
• Participate in population profiling and verification exercises to ensure adequate and relevant data collection
• Provide inputs in the protection monitoring reports
• Provide inputs on case studies, best practices and lessons learned from each of the activities implemented
• Provide translation/interpretation as necessary
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Protection Monitoring Officer, and Protection Monitoring Team Leader relevant to the achievement of protection objectives

Required Qualifications

• Academic background in social studies, international development, law, or similar with at least 1 year’s working experience in a related field; previous working experience with local or international NGOs desirable
• Experience of community-based or community mobilization work in a humanitarian context
• Farsi at a professional level
• English at a professional level
• Greek language and additional knowledge of any of the following languages desirable (Arabic, Kurmanji & French)
• Strong computer skills
• High professional ethics
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with local staff and other stakeholders;
• Ability to work in a demanding working environment
• Excellent negotiation, advocacy and communication skills; 
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment 
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration

Terms & Conditions

• The contract will be under the Greek Labor Law (this is a national position)
• All allowances will be provided to the employees (Christmas, Easter, Vacation bonus)
• DRC provides training opportunities to develop and strengthen the quality of its services as well as its staff members’ professional and personal development.
• The position will be based in Attika (Greece) and national terms and conditions apply 

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. However, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot systemically sponsor non-EU citizen or non-Greek resident for all the steps of legal process to get a work permit and/or a residency permit in Greece.

Applications close on the 9th of July 2020. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.