Protection Manager

We are looking for a highly qualified, self-motivated Protection Manager who is able to coordinate conflict management activities, work with diverse teams of both national and international staff, and equipped with technical skills to develop and strengthen emergency response capacity in a highly complex crisis.

DRC is operational in South Sudan since 2005, working with the overall aim of achieving durable solutions for displaced populations. The Danish Demining Group (DDG) started Humanitarian Mine Action in 2006.

Danish Refugee Council main program objectives (2018-2020) in South Sudan are:
1.    To save lives and alleviate suffering among displaced people and their hosts
2.    To reduce displacement related risks and support and facilitate solutions
3.    To promote peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies and address root causes to displacement

DRC primarily operates across Upper Nile and Unity states, both of which are heavily affected by conflict and experience high numbers of internally displaced populations as well as refugees in need of humanitarian assistance. DRC has operational bases in Maban, Malakal, Kodok and Aburoc in Upper Nile and in Bentiu, Mayom, and Ajuong Thok in Unity state, supported by a country-office in Juba.

Overall purpose of the role: 
The Protection Manager position will ensure implementation of protection programming including coordination activities in Malakal, and across the West Bank (Panyikang, Malakal, Fashoda, Manyo and Baliet) in Upper Nile State and other areas. The Protection Manager will supervise national protection staff and oversee implementation of all protection activities, support the Area Manager with reporting, act as co-lead and focal point for the Protection Cluster as well as the co – chair of the PSEA Task Force at state-level, strengthen the capacity of staff and maintain strong relations with relevant stakeholders, among other tasks. The primary role of the Protection Manager will be to take charge of protection programming and the protection team, develop high quality protection information related reports and assist in programme development and strategy.

Responsibilities

• Take the lead in DRC protection programming in Malakal and across the East and West Bank of Upper Nile, ensuring quality protection activities are planned and implemented, and assist in programme development and strategy implementation, as well as coordinate protection concerns internally and externally.
• Produce high quality protection information products (monitoring reports, assessments, snapshots, briefings) on the dynamic context and protection concerns.
• Supervise, mentor, and support national protection Team Leaders, officers, assistants and outreach workers in the implementation of project activities.
• Implement general protection activities, in accordance with agreed strategy, operational plan, budgets, and DRC and donor regulations; including protection monitoring, assessments, trainings, community-based protection, identification and support to persons at risk of protection issues, protection case management, HLP, and other regular protection activities.
• Conduct protection assessments and protection analysis to identify protection concerns and respond to the protection risks identified accordingly, including assessments on housing, land, and property based on the need. 
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the DRC Protection department, in close collaboration with the DRC Protection Coordinator, including initiating strategy planning at field level, and share protection updates and information with DRC Protection Coordinator on regular basis. 
• Prepare and submit bi monthly protection monitoring reports to Protection Coordinator, Area Manager and other partners based on their need to know.
• Prepare and follow weekly and monthly work plans.
• Prepare monthly internal report, donor report
• Plan and prepare donor visits, and ensure compliance with donor guidelines.
• Co-coordinate state-level protection cluster; this includes actively co-facilitating protection cluster meetings, engaging and advocating on protection concerns, preparing updates for the cluster, leading meetings and contributing to meeting minutes, following-up on action points, and actively engaging in the humanitarian response planning with the cluster.
• Co – coordinate state level PSEA Task Force; this includes co-facilitating PSEA TF meetings, engaging and advocating on prevention from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and actively engaging in PSEA awareness, training and reporting with the Task Force.
• Train protection national staff on a regular basis, at least once a month, on protection principles, guidance, and protection activities, in close collaboration with the Protection Coordinator.
• Overall responsibility for managing protection staff in Upper Nile, including the recruitment and supervision of protection staff.
• Work closely with the Protection Coordinator in designing training modules and tools on topics such as human rights and basic protection principles for Community Protection Committees and other community structures.
• Contribute to and support effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes and initiatives, and ensure effective data and information management and contribute to regular reporting on protection activities (weekly, monthly, quarterly, mid-year, annual, as required).
• Manage protection database and train national protection colleagues on the use of the database, and ensure referrals and protection cases are followed-up by protection staff.
• Ensure regular general monitoring visits to the affected community are conducted to identify protection concerns and persons with specific needs (PSNs).
• Prepare all necessary documentation for each activity (including weekly vehicle movement plans, order requests, payment requests, etc.) and for the reconciliation of the money spent during each activity.
• Manage budgets, monitor and update work plans, and prepare reports of several protection projects, working closely with finance and grants departments.
• Liaise and build partnerships with community leaders, and other relevant actors to encourage participation in, support for and a better understanding of the program activities.
• Ensure staff compliance with security management rules and procedures; for example, ensuring relevant documentation and procedures are understood and adhered to by staff.
• Ensure staff are well versed with the DRC Code of Conduct, accountability measures, humanitarian principles, protection principles, respectful engagement with the affected population, and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Prepare project procurement plans and raise materials/services requisitions and follow up with the respective support departments,
• Liaise on a regular basis with the Area Manager as well as Malakal and Juba Protection colleagues to flag issues and concerns, and provide protection updates.
• Ensure synergy between protection and other sectoral activities at Area level, as well as mainstream protection throughout DRC’s response in Upper Nile.
• Any other tasks as required by the management relevant to ensuring quality protection programming.
  About You
• A degree in political/social sciences, law, development studies, international development or equivalent degree qualifications;
• At least four years protection project management experience, including community-based training experience on human rights and/or protection, HLP, and protection monitoring/human rights experience, of which at least 1 year should be at international level and in South Sudan or in geographic or conflict context similar to South Sudan;
• Proven technical knowledge of human rights, protection principles, project cycle management, SPHERE standards;
• Experience in proposal and budget development and project implementation (including budget management);
• Familiar with rule of law and housing, land, and property, protection information management, legal aid;
• Understanding of and experience in engaging the cluster system in IDP sites;
• Ability for rapid analysis of very complex issues, strong decision-making, and translation of programmatic learning and priorities into operational strategies;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, cross-cultural communication and ease in managing a multi-ethnic team;
• Good team leadership and conflict resolution skills, consensus team building, and adaptability; 
• Patience and understanding to work with and develop capacity of national staff;
• Experience delivering programs to tight deadlines;
• Good computer and IT skills and strong communication and writing skills; 
• Fluency in written and spoken English language;
• Ability and willingness to work in remote and isolated location with limited access to services and changing security scenarios;

Desirable qualifications

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply;
• Experience working as a field-level project manager is highly desirable;
• Working experience in South Sudan;
• Experience in data analysis and Information Management
• Experience designing and drafting conflict analysis reports
• Experience working in challenging and insecure security environments.

Moreover, in this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Key stakeholders:

• Affected population, and Community based protection structures
• Community leaders
• Protection actors
• All DRC staffs
• Government structures
• Donors (SSHF, ECHO, UNHCR, BHA, DANIDA and other

We offer

Duration:    Until 28 February 2022 and s renewable contract subject to Performance and Funding.

Contract:    Salary and conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Global Expatriates available at www.drc.dk under Vacancies graded as Band M.F level 2. 

Start Date:   1st July, 2021

Duty Station:     Malakal (Upper Nile) – South Sudan

Reporting:         This position reports to Area Manager

Commitments:     DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html).  All DRC staff must be committed to the Red Cross Code of Conduct, as well as the Core Humanitarian Standards.

Gender Equality:     DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels.  In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap. 

Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer.  We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees.  We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status or other protected characteristics.

Applications 
All applicants must send a cover letter (max 1 page) and an updated CV (max 3 pages) in English. The cover letter should outline your personal motivation for applying and your key qualifications for the position.

Please click on the apply button to apply. Applications sent by email will not be considered. 

Closing date for applications: 21st June, 2021 and note that due to urgency to fill this position, recruitment can be finalized before closing date of applications.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit  drc.ngo/jobsupport