Child Protection Officer

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Child Protection Officer for the Blue Dot in Gdynia.  

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to promote and protect durable solutions to conflict and displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC is implementing a multi-sector response to support Ukraine refugees, IDPs and host populations both within Ukraine and in the neighbouring countries of Poland, Romania and Moldova and wider Europe.  Since late February 2022, nearly 4 million Ukrainians and third-country nationals have crossed the border to Poland. As part of its neighboring country response, DRC is establishing an operational presence in Poland to support displaced populations through partnership with civil society organizations and national NGOs, duty bearers and other actors.   

DRC Poland will be responsible for the management of four Blue Dots supported by UNHCR and UNICEF in Gdynia, Lublin, Warsaw and Wrocław. In each location the Blue Dot services will be provided in collaboration with local/national NGOs. In each location a designated area lead is responsible for the coordination of the Blue Dot services. With the support of the Protection Team Leader will be responsible for the implementation of Child Protection Activities in the Blue Dot in Gdynia including mobile and outreach activities in pomorskie voivodship.  

About the job 

As Blue Dot Project Lead you have a country focus and you ensure compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within Poland. You contribute to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. You provide support and/or technical guidance to country operations while overseeing country activities specific to the Blue Dot project. Your main duties and responsibilities will be: 

Project coordination and implementation 

• Identify children at heightened risk and/or in need of protection services at the Blue Dot, through mobile activities and community-based child protection mechanisms  

• Ensure timely referral and follow up, documenting all cases referred by DRC to other service providers, as per DRC standards for referrals and data protection, specifically DRC’s child safeguarding policy;  

• Provide counselling, awareness, guidance, emotional support when needed, in line with international standards and best practices;   

• Lead group awareness sessions on child protection issues   

• Assess protection needs and community capacities to identify risks and vulnerabilities, including those related to gender and age. In collaboration with the Protection team and community members develop and implement concrete strategies / initiatives to reduce these risks;  

• Take into account Covid-19 pandemic, including associated restrictions and recommendations coming from relevant authorities when designing and implementing activities, ensuring child and personal safety;   

• Working in close coordination with the team members to ensure protection activities are in line with overall projects and targets for protection activities are met;  

• Assist and work in close collaboration with DRC personnel and/or other stakeholders working on non-formal/formal education activities with children;  

• Draft activity reports and provide inputs to donor reporting  

• Contributing and supporting effective monitoring, evaluation and learning processes and initiatives, ensure effective data and information management and contribute to regular reporting on protection activities;  

• Other duties as assigned 

About you 

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a minimum of 2 years of experience in refugee/displacement programs, with focus on child protection and protection work or at least 2 years of experience in working with local socially vulnerable groups. Moreover, we also expect the following:  

• Bachelor degree in Psychology, Pedagogue, Social Work, Social/Political science or other relevant field;   

• Demonstrated strong experience working with vulnerable clients, preferably including survivors of SGBV and victims of child abuse;  

• Strong knowledge of child-friendly interviewing techniques and communicating with children;  

• Understanding of the Polish formal child protection mechanisms   

• Familiarity with IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Setting;  

• Understanding the psychosocial support needs of refugees   

• Ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team player;  

• Problem solving, analytical and writing skills, with the ability to produce reports for internal and external use;  

• Full professional knowledge of Polish or Ukrainian and/or Russian  

• Full professional proficiency in English    

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: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. 

We offer 

Contract length: contract until December 31st 2022 with possible extension depending on funding 

Band: Non-Management, H 

Geographic scope: Gdynia 

Start date: ASAP 

We offer competitive salary and benefits in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff.  

Application process 

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered. 

Closing date for applications: August 4th 2022 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and we therefore encourage you to apply as soon as possible. 

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Anna Geller a.geller@drc.ngo.