Protection Assistant (Woman Safe Space)

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

DRC Greece is looking to recruit a qualified, flexible and enthusiastic professional to work for its office in Larissa (Central Greece) as a Woman Safe Space (WSS) Protection Assistant. The Protection Assistant, in coordination and cooperation with the Protection Monitoring Team, Child-Friendly Space (CFS)/Women Safe Space (WSS)/Youth Safe Space (YSS), the Legal Aid Officers, Roving Cultural Mediators (RCM) and Legal Aid interpreters, and supervised by the CFS/WSS/YSS Team Leader, she is expected to contribute to the protection activities. Under supervision of the CFS/WSS/YSS Team Leader and in close coordination with other DRC field units, the Protection Assistant will implement protection activities where DRC is engaged. Furthermore, the Protection Assistant will develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern (PoC), relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of DRC’s Protection activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Protection Assistant (WSS) responsibilities will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

• Work with women and girls in the Women’s Safe Space to identify their needs, interests and priorities, and where possible, adapt activities according to these to ensure activities offered are culturally appropriate and meet the needs of women and girls. Take a lead in the direct implementation of the activities in the Women’s Safe Space (WSS) through life-skills and resilience building, music and visual arts activities and organising tournaments and community feedback meetings.
• Identify and promote culturally appropriate/relevant interventions geared towards improved physical and reproductive health, social skills (conflict resolution, problem solving, empathy and relationship building) and self-sufficiency of target beneficiaries.
• Support in the identification of extremely vulnerable cases for appropriate referral to other actors for services.
• Conduct comprehensive report and documentation of lessons learnt and best practices to achieve project goals and activities.

• Report general protection issues present in the WSS to her supervisor.
• Report any major issues to the protection management.
• Collaborate with DRC colleagues to resolve problems and issues as they arise.
• Participating in (joint) assessments, identifying protection concerns and reporting for follow-up.
• Identify vulnerable individuals and facilitate appropriate action, including referrals to specialized services and protective accompaniment as necessary.
• Provide appropriate and relevant information to asylum seekers and refugees regarding their rights and services available to them.
• Participate in awareness raising sessions and information campaigns for persons of concern.
• Draft protection and activities’ reports and provide inputs in designing protection monitoring tools and formats.
• Provide inputs on case studies, best practices and lessons learned from each of the activities implemented.
• Provide translation/interpretation as necessary.
• Planning and conducting Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) as facilitator and/or note taker and drafting the relevant reports.
• Ensure timely submission of daily reports.
• Ensure that correct procedures are followed when responsible for any focal points.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the line manager, relevant to the achievement of protection objectives.
• Ensure the observance of the DRC Code of Conduct throughout activity implementation.

Required Qualifications

• University Degree in Refugee and Migration Studies, Psychology, Social Science, Social Work, Human Rights, Gender Studies or a related field is preferred.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Working knowledge of Kurdish (Sorani, Kurmanji and/or Badini), French and/or Arabic is mandatory.
• Knowledge of Somali, Lingala, Pashto or Urdu will be an advantage.
• At least, one year of experience working with asylum seekers, refugees and/or migrants.
• Previous working experience with local or international NGOs will be considered as a strong advantage.
• Experience of community-based or community mobilisation work in a humanitarian context is a strong advantage, especially work experience with women and girls.
• Strong computer skills.
• High professional ethics.
• Female candidates only.

Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:

• Striving for excellence
• Collaboration
• Taking the lead
• Communication
• Demonstrating Integrity

• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to humanitarian principle and high sense of ethics
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are needed
• Ability to cope with high workload and stress and identify priority activities and assignments, and adjust priorities as required
• Multi-tasking and organizational skills are must, and a good sense of humor

Terms and 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 Larisa (Central 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 12th of July. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

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