Protection Officer at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income-generating activities, and a wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations. Smooth, reliable and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Protection Officer Location: Gwoza, Borno Contract Type: National Contract

The Position

• DRC is seeking the services of a committed and competent Protection Officer - COVID 19 Response to join the Borno Team. Interested persons will be reporting to the Project Manager – COVID 19. The Protection Officer will be part of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) Protection Team and will work under the guidance of Protection Team leader
• She/he will be based in Dikwa or Gwoza-Borno state to provide the field team constant support
• She/he will have an important role in the implementation of protection activities including protection monitoring, protection awareness, referral pathways, provision of individual protection assistance, support to displaced communities as well as conducting training and capacity building for duty bearers
• Close coordination with the different protection actors and represent the organizations at the PSWG meetings
• She/he will assist in the establishment of effective community-based structures in support of the protection Programme
• He/she will support the field team through a constant field visit to project sites
• The Protection Officer is also responsible for the design and implementation of rapid protection assessments in their areas of responsibility, analysis of protection monitoring information and report writing.

Duties and Responsibilities The main duties and responsibilities will include but not limited to: Individual & Group Counselling:

• Conduct individual assessments for possible psychosocial distress and the identification of a therapeutic intervention plan for people directly identified or referred by the community structures or protection team in relation to Covid-19.
• Conduct individual or group counselling as part of a therapeutic intervention plan for and with people identified or referred
• Carry out a PSS intervention plan for each individual client after receiving their consent for the same. Consider emotional, behavioural and social factors that affect their psychosocial well-being.
• Participate in internal case conferences (when relevant), team meetings, training and workshops as scheduled by the supervisory and management team.
• Document all general PSS activities as per DRC and donor reporting regulations and transmit these on a weekly basis to the PSS Team Lead for compilation.
• Support the planning, implementation and reporting on all PSS activities via weekly work plans, schedules and people management.
• Support positive team dynamics and a healthy work environment where our beneficiaries affected by Covid-19 feel comfortable and supported in sharing their experiences, challenges and feelings.
• Identify gaps in Covid-19 information and PSS training needs and request support from the PSS-Team Lead or Protection Specialist to provide the same.
• Compile all reporting on Covid-19 PSS activities as per DRC and donor reporting regulations and transmit these on a weekly basis to the PSS Team lead for further handling. Engage in regular feedback and dialogue with the PSS Team lead on quantitative reporting.
• Provide continuous psycho-social support via regular follow-up meetings, establishing a relationship built on trust and respecting confidentiality protocols.
• Close cases when the objectives in the PSS intervention plan have been met and no further needs have been identified.
• Provide group counselling as part of a therapeutic intervention plan for with people identified and referred by the case management team or social workers following the opening of a CM case file.
• Document cases and ensure that any progress on the individual therapeutic intervention plan and any significant change in the client’s psychosocial well-being and overall situation is duly recorded in a timely fashion.
• Participate in individual supervision sessions on a weekly basis with the PSS Team lead, bringing immediate attention to any case of special/emergency needs.

Data Protection, Confidentiality & Adherence to Protection Principles:

• Ensure the proper and safe filing and archiving of PSS client files and activity reports files to maintain data confidentiality as per DRC and international standards.
• Carry out all tasks respecting key Protection and PSS principles, including but not limited to.
  • Do no harm.
  • Non-discrimination.
  • Confidentiality,
  • Accountability, and.
  • Need-to-know principles.

Other PSS Activities:

• Contribute to regular Covid-19 service mapping, updates to the service directory and support the development of referral systems with different service providers and the local NGO/CSO partners in a deep field.
• Flag PSS issues and contribute to the identification of appropriate responses.
• Carry out any delegated activities as assigned by DRC management at the field level including:
  • Supervision of field bases.
  • Manage DRC protection assets assigned to the field of operation.
  • Always liaise with security officers in DRC to keep up to date on the security situation of the field base.
  • Support protection coordinator, a manager with itinerary planning for field visits including donor visits.
  • Provide detailed updates of activities within your designated field site while keeping yourself well informed of Covid-19 new and emerging issues.

Requirements To be successful in this role, the candidate is expected to be honest, strongly motivated and display a high standard of integrity in humanitarian work, disciplined and team-oriented Education (Include Certificates, Licenses etc.):

• Bachelor's Degree in Law, Psychology, Social work, Social Sciences, Counselling, Education, Human Rights, Development Studies or relevant equivalent disciplines.

Essentials:

• 2-5 years of experience in supervising field staff, planning and implementation of activities in complex emergencies
• Skills and experience in assessment, delivery, monitoring, review and evaluation, working with refugees or IDPs
• Ability to plan and execute in a timely and quality manner
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel).
• Sound judgment and the ability to work effectively with others at all levels
• Strong assessment, evaluation, analysis and strategic planning skills
• IT literate, MS – Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Interpersonal communication and proven written / presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage under stressful conditions.
• Good facilitation/training skills; experience designing and delivering training curricula, preferably focused on adult learning.
• Ability and willingness to maintain a regular presence at project sites and to work during irregular working hours and in insecure environments.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, negotiation skills
• Self-motivated, able to take initiative positive attitude, resilient and able to work independently

Desirable:

• Flexible & willing to work in a remote setting & to travel to other field locations.
• Ability to multitask and work comfortably under pressure
• Experience from working in an (I)NGO is an asset
• Knowledge in Hausa
• Competent and literate in English, verbal and written, with a sound knowledge of technical expressions, any local speaking language will be an advantage

Conditions

• Availability: ASAP.

Salary and Conditions:

• In accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment
• The income will be subject to statutory deductions as per applicable Nigeria laws.

How to Apply Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply Application Method

• CV and Cover Letter indicating and explaining the suitability to the position applied.
• Provide contact details (name, position, email address and tel. no.) of 3 professional non-related references, whereas 1 must be for the latest employer. Please do not attach any written recommendations.
• Applications should be addressed to: “the Recruitment Manager”
• Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered. CV-only applications will not be considered.

Note

• Applications sent/received after the deadline will not be considered.
• Only short-listed applicants will be invited for a written test and oral interview.
• Due to the urgency for the deployment of this/these positions, recruitment will be done on a rolling basis
• DRC-DDG Nigeria does not charge any fees for recruitment and does not use any employment mediator.
• The position is for Nigerian nationals only.
• For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult: www.drc.dk

Borno State, Gwoza