Women Safe Space 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 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 the 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.  

1.Purpose

DRC Greece is looking to recruit a qualified, flexible and enthusiastic professional to work for its operation in Thessaloniki as Protection/Women Safe Space Assistant. Under the supervision of the WSS Team Leader, under the overall management of the Field Protection Manager, and in close cooperation with other Protection colleagues, DRC field units and other relevant actors in the area of the North, the WSS Assistant will be 100% field based, develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern and will support the implementation of DRC’s protection objectives and activities in the Women Safe Space to provide timely and effective protection to persons of concern under DRC projects in the emergency reception sites.

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2.Duties and Responsibilities

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

• Work with women and girls in the Women Friendly 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 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 WFS to the 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.
• Planning and conducting Information Sessions as facilitator and often in cooperation with external actors and specialists on different issues, based on needs and information gaps identified on site among the female population; including reporting duties and drafting relevant reports.
• Ensure timely submission of daily attendance.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the line manager, relevant to the achievement of protection objectives.

Collaboration and supervision

• Ensure that correct procedures are followed when responsible for any focal points.
• Report any major issues to the protection management.
• Collaborate with DRC colleagues to resolve problems and issues as they arise.
• Ensure the observance of the DRC Code of Conduct throughout activity implementation

3.Qualifications

Required

• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Only female candidates are to be considered for the vacancy
• Minimum one year of previous experience with refugees, asylum seekers and/or migrants
• Required fluency in one of the following languages: Arabic and/or Kurdish (Sorani, Kurmanji)
• Strong computer skills

Desired

• University degree in Social sciences, Social Work, Law, Refugee and Migration studies, Human Rights, International Relations, Psychology, Gender studies or a related field
• Greek or French language skills
• Previous working experience with local or international NGOs
• Experience of community-based or community mobilisation work in a humanitarian context is a strong advantage, especially work experience with women and girls

4.Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence:
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity

5.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 the broader area of Thessaloniki (Greece) and national terms and conditions apply

6.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 19th 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.