Danish Refugee Council Job in Nigeria for a Protection Coordinator

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is the process of scaling up and emergency programme in Nigeria focusing on responding to the huge humanitarian needs and challenges in the North East of Nigeria. Nigeria’s northeast is currently experiencing a significant humanitarian crisis, which has
been the result of the ongoing-armed conflict between Boko Haram, the Nigerian military and the Multi-National Task Force in the north-east. An estimated 10 million people are affected by the conflict, this has led to a state of emergency being declared in three north-eastern states and spill-over effects into neighbouring countries. High insecurity in the region has made access for humanitarian actors extremely difficult and further exacerbating the situation. 

DRC operations will initially focus on Borno and Adamawa States where DRC focus on meeting the basic needs (protection, WASH, food security and shelter) of urban caseloads and displacement camps, as well as establishing access to affected areas that have opened in recent months.

Danish Refugee Council is recruiting to fill the position below:


Job Title: Protection Coordinator
Location: Maiduguri, with regular travel to field locations within Borno and Adamawa States
About the Job
Overall Purpose of the Role:

• DRC is seeking a highly-qualified Protection Coordinator to ensure the effective implementation of DRC’s protection activities in Nigeria and oversee a consistent integration of a human-rights based approach into all DRC response activities in Nigeria.
• The Coordinator receives technical support and guidance from the DRC Regional Protection Advisor and reports to the Head of Programmes of DRC Nigeria.
• Reporting Lines: The position reports to the Head of Programme (HOP) - The Psychosocial Manager and the Senior Protection Officer(s)  report directly to the position.
• The Coordinator contributes to update and apply the strategic protection and advocacy vision in the country and is responsible to ensure that protection interventions meet relevant quality and normative standards, and are adapted to the emergency context.
• The Coordinator will ensure active participation in relevant interagency fora in Maiduguri and potentially in Adamawa, Yobe and Abuja.

• Ensure that protection data is collected, stored, and shared per the principles and procedures contained in the DRC Data Protection Protocol and applicable data protection principles, and identify sensitive data in the Nigerian context.
• With the support of the Head of Programme and of the Regional Protection Advisor, contribute to the elaboration of country-based strategic documents on protection, and revise the protection strategy as required by the operational context
• Explore new business and partnerships and work closely with the Head of Programme to develop quality proposals, concept notes and budgets, ensuring that all new budgets accurately reflect program activities and required staffing levels
• Assess protection risks and trends, identify problems/gaps, and propose/prioritise timely practical actions to respond to clearly-formulated protection problems.
• In collaboration with Area Managers and Deputy Area Managers, organize rapid needs assessments to identify risks and vulnerabilities, including those related to gender, age, and diversity.
• Produce protection reports of high analytical quality, with concrete and actionable protection recommendations.

• Represent the organization with implementing partners, government, and donor entities.
• Contribute to DRC Nigeria’s fundraising strategy and help build strong relationships with donors and UN agencies to ensure predictable funding for DRC’s protection programming in Nigeria.
• Monitor developments and determine strategic opportunities related to the protection sector
• Ensure that high quality, integrated, and needs-based proposals are developed and per DRC Nigeria priorities as identified in its country strategic planning.

• Develop staff capacities on the human rights based approach, protection assessments, protection monitoring, case management (CP, GBV), referral systems and protection mainstreaming through regular training and refreshers, mentoring and coaching;
• Ensure the mainstreaming of protection, child protection, GBV and community-based protection components in the DRC emergency response programmes in Nigeria, per DRC protection mainstreaming framework, international law, and protection standards, and in strong collaboration with emergency response teams
• Ensure that quality assurance systems are applied, regarding upholding CHS (Core Humanitarian Standards) and Age Gender and Diversity throughout the protection programme
• Ensure that DRC Protection programmes are implemented in accordance with donors’ regulations and with DRC standard procedures (Code of Conduct, DRC Response Framework, DRC Programme Handbook), and are consistent with the country Strategic Programme Document and Protection Strategy.
• Develop the capacities of duty bearers and external stakeholders on protection
• Provide technical support, advice, and backstop on protection to Area Managers and protection field staff to ensure quality delivery on ongoing protection projects;
• Ensure that the design and implementation of protection activities address protection needs of internally displaced people, vulnerable populations, and affected populations, and are adapted and relevant to the emergency context of north-eastern Nigeria;
• Establish and reinforce referral systems and pathways for protection cases. 
• Apply DRC regional protection methodologies, training and programme tools and adapt them to the Nigerian context.

• Systematically and closely monitor the delivery and expenditure rates of ongoing protection programmes, promptly identifying, and correcting under-delivery issues and deviations from workplans
• Ensure that Protection programmes meet stated objectives and indicators within agreed timeframes
• Review job descriptions and participate in the recruitment process of protection staff
• Line manage international Psychosocial Manager and provide technical support to national protection teams, conducting performance reviews, setting objectives, and ensuring expected performance criteria are met
• Include the participation of beneficiaries and communities, particularly those most vulnerable or at-risk, in all stages of the project cycle where appropriate.
• Provide effective technical supervision to DRC protection team at country level 
• Conduct regular field visits to identify and address programme quality concerns and gain a solid first-hand understanding of protection risks and trends at the community level
• In collaboration with the MEL team, analyse and report on relevance, outcomes, and impact of DRC protection related activities to provide lessons learnt and to identify best practices

• Build effective coordination and synergies with DDG teams working on Mine Risk Education
• Ensure coordination and harmonisation of DRC protection related activities - externally with other agencies and partners, and internally within the DRC regional programme 
• Ensure that DRC’s mandate is known and correctly understood by all stakeholders.
• In coordination with the Head of Programme and with the Regional Protection Advisor, work closely with duty bearers, INGOs and civil society to advocate for humanitarian access, and remedies and solutions to protection problems facing internally displaced people, vulnerable civilians, and other affected populations.
• Promote improved understanding of protection issues among all relevant stakeholders and the observance of international human rights and humanitarian law standards. 
• Establish strong links and ensure adequate information sharing with the Regional Office and, if required, with other DRC country operations in West Africa.
• Actively represent the DRC at the Protection Sector Working Group (PSWG), Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), Child Protection Working Group (CPWG) and other relevant coordination structures and protection actors (including UN agencies, ICRC, and MSF), seeking to develop coordinated protection approaches and responses. 
• Facilitate reporting and information management (data collection, analysis, storage, sharing) through protection sector and other coordination mechanisms back to DRC management – provide and collect information to inform the whole response

• Internal Key Stakeholders: Head of Programme, Regional Protection Advisor, Emergency Coordinator, DDG Head of Programme, Safety unit
• External Key Stakeholders: Other actors present within DRC’s area/sectors of intervention including ICRC and MSF
• OCHA, IOM another UN collaborates - Local authorities at Maiduguri and field level

• University degree, preferably in Human Rights Law, International Law, or related field and advanced training/courses in relevant subjects
• Minimum of five years’ international work experience with INGO’s, UN agencies, government agencies in IDP/refugee settings in complex emergencies;
• Extensive work experience within the field of human rights protection, particularly in internal displacement and crisis settings;
• Substantial project management and budget management skills and experience; 
• Experience in community-based protection activities and protection assessments
• Proven commitment to humanitarian accountability and quality standards
• Experience and willingness to work in the field in volatile and insecure areas; 
• Experience living and working in a cross-cultural, multi-sector, team environment 
• Ability to work well under pressure and in adverse conditions;
• Proficiency in common computer packages i.e. Word, Excel, Power point etc
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Desirable : Previous experience in Nigeria or similar conflict context
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills
• Strong understanding of protection principles and likely protection concerns arising in the Nigerian context as well as conflict sensitivity;
• Solid experience in staff management in a cross-cultural environment required
• Proven ability to build external relationships with diplomacy, tact, and professionalism in a complex and demanding environment.
• Experience with capacity building of national staff and stakeholders, and in the facilitation of training events and workshops;
• M&E knowledge and experience, including understanding of conducting assessments and analysing data

• All employees should master DRC's core competencies:
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.
• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

• Availability: January 2nd 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter
• Employment Category: A12 - Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies.
• Contract duration: 1 year (may be extended depending on funding availability). 

• Please note that this is a non-family duty station. DRC’s policy for rest and recuperation for international staff applies
• All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English.
• Applications sent by email will not be considered