Protection PSS Specialist (WGSS)

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 8,000 employees and also 8,000 volunteers, while managing a turnover of over 400 million Euro. 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. The Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest humanitarian NGO and has been ranked the 3rd best NGO in the world in 2018 (for six consecutive years, the organization is among the top five of the NGO Advisor Annual List).

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 operation in Attika as Protection PSS Specialist (WGSS). Under the supervision of the Field Protection Manager, and in close cooperation with the Emergency Protection Specialist other Protection colleagues, DRC field units and other relevant actors in Attika, the Protection PSS Specialist (WGSS) will be 100% field based, develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern and will coordinate and support the implementation of DRC’s protection objectives and activities in the Women and Girls Safe Space to provide timely and effective protection in the emergency reception sites.

Duties and Responsibilities
 

Responsibilities will focus on the following:

• Be the Focal Point regarding WGSS activities on field level and represent DRC in any relevant meetings.
• Work with women and girls to identify needs, interests, and priorities.
• Take the lead in designing and implementation of activities tailored to age and vulnerability type in line with PoC needs and wishes.
• Take the lead in the implementation of activities in the WGSS through life-skills, resilience building and empowerment, integration and psychosocial activities (including arts, sports etc.).
• Collect regular feedback through focus group discussions, community feedback meetings, bilateral discussions etc. about the quality and impact of activities.
• Supervise and support the development of curricula, tools, and other resources for WGSS activities.
• 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. Ensure that activities offered meet the needs of women and girls.
• Ensure that attendance and participation of women and teenage girls, in the WGSS is supported and encouraged and that participants are consulted for the planned activities.
• Ensure a safe and friendly atmosphere in all the facilities and that safeguarding standards are understood and met.
• Organize and coordinate awareness raising sessions, information campaigns and prevention sessions for persons of concern.
• Plan and conduct Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) as facilitator and/or note taker and draft the relevant reports.
• Plan and conduct Information Sessions as facilitator in cooperation with external actors and specialists when needed, and draft relevant reports.
• Support in the identification of vulnerable cases for referral to appropriate actors including the DRC protection team and escort to specialized services, if needed.
• Participate in (joint) assessments, identifying protection concerns and reporting for follow-up.
• Provide appropriate and relevant information to asylum seekers and refugees regarding their rights and services available to them.
• Conduct, compile and edit comprehensive reports, coordinate timely submission of weekly/monthly reports, attendance and headcount sheets, document case studies, best practices and lessons learnt from the activities implemented.
• Take the lead in drafting protection and activities’ reports and in designing protection monitoring tools and formats.
• Monitor and report to the Field Protection Manager and the Emergency Protection Specialist general protection issues, trends, patterns, and gaps in and around the WGSS facilities and suggest ways for these issues to be addressed in advocacy level.
• Provide translation/interpretation, as necessary.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the line manager, relevant to the achievement of protection objectives.

Collaboration:

• Identify and suggest potential partnerships and liaise directly with partners on a field level, upon coordination with the Field Protection Manager and Emergency Protection Specialist.
• Report any major issues to the field protection manager.
• Collaborate with DRC colleagues to resolve problems and issues as they arise.
• Ensure the observance of the DRC Code of Conduct at all times.

Required Qualifications
 

• Proven experience of three (3) years working with refugees, asylum seekers and/or migrants.
• Previous working experience with local or international NGOs will be considered as a strong advantage.
• Proven experience of (2) two years of community-based or community mobilization work or working experience with women and girls in a humanitarian context.
• Experience in providing activities to women through various tools is considered a strong advantage.
• University degree in Social sciences, Psychology, Gender studies, Social Work, Law, Refugee and Migration studies, Human Rights, International Relations or a related field is considered an asset.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Fluency or basic understanding of one of the following languages is an asset: Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish (Sorani, Kurmanji), French, Greek
• Computer skills are an added value.

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
• Multitasking and organizational skills are a must, and a good sense of humor
• Flexible, enthusiastic, and willing to learn from others.

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).

Application Process
 

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/currentvacancies . 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 March 2021. 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.