Protection Program Manager

POSITION TITLE	Protection Program Manager
Supervised by	Area Manager
Reporting to	Area Manager
Duty station	Iriba
Operational intervention area	Wadi fira
Contract duration	12 Months
Type of contract	National/Expatriate Contrat (Non-Family Duty station)
Expected start date	15/05/2026
Salary & Benefits	Bande : Managemet F – Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and displaced persons around the world, we provide emergency aid to these people, fight for their rights and strengthen their opportunities for a better future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes, and within the countries in which refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive to achieve responsible and sustainable solutions. We work for the successful integration of vulnerable communities and, where possible, for the fulfillment of their wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown into an international humanitarian organization with over 7,000 employees and 8,000 volunteers. Headquartered in Copenhagen, and present in 40 countries, the DRC is a non-governmental, non-profit, politically neutral, independent and non-denominational aid organization.

Our vision is a life with dignity for all the world's displaced people. All our efforts are based on our moral compass: humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty and transparency.

1. Context

DRC has been operational in Chad for the past two years. The organization is implementing humanitarian operations in the country, with the main objective of responding to the humanitarian crisis in the east in close coordination with DRC Sudan.

DRC places a strong emphasis on partnership, localization and sustainable solutions, striving for equitable partnerships, effective coordination mechanisms and capacity building for national and local actors in order to respond effectively to urgent needs and pave the way for sustainable solutions.

2. Objective

The Protection Programme Manager has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of the protection sector projects and is the direct manager for protection sectoral staff at the Area level. The Protection Programme Manager is responsible for leading the management of protection project throughout the project cycle; accountable for people management of direct reports; accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic protection goals and objectives; providing technical advice, support, and authority to instruct the direct staff; accountable for ensuring adherence to DRC policies, Minimum Operating Procedures (MOPs), standards, and quality assurance; ensuring internal and external coordination and representation; and budget holder responsibilities. The Protection Project Manager is based in Iriba and reports directly to the Area Manager and under technical supervision of Protection Coordinator based at the coordination office in Ndjamena.

The ideal candidate will be able to adapt quickly and demonstrate strong analytical skills. He/she will be required to show strong operational capacity, initiative, and innovation, thereby ensuring the relevance and quality of DRC’s protection strategy and protection programming in Chad. He/she will be rigorous, motivated, and committed to accompanying the growth of the protection portfolio within a dynamic operation. This is a unique opportunity to join a renowned international organization in a dynamic humanitarian context, and to build the protection strategy from the outset of an operation.

3. Key Specific Responsabilities

Key Specific Responsibilities:

Management 

• Manage and oversee implementation of all protection projects in the area, in alignment with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, and donor requirements. 
• Develop, coordinate, plan, implement, and quality assure DRC’s protection activities and services. 
• Write internal and external reports about protection activities and projects within agreed deadlines, in line with DRC and donor formats.  

Technical Support 

• Provide technical support, supervision and guidance to protection team members at the Area level and ensure that direct staff adhere to protection policies, standards and best practices. 
• Authority to instruct – including issuing instructions and providing strategic direction on issues related to the protection sector in the work area
• Provide capacity building and on-the-job coaching related to direct staff roles and responsibilities. 
• In collaboration with the Protection Coordinator, and as needed, develop and roll out protection tools and Standard Operating procedures

People Management 

• Responsible for managing and providing direction to and monitoring protection staff in their daily work and implementation of their assigned activities to ensure adherence to work plans and quality standards. 
• Provide day-to-day training and capacity building for all direct protection staff  
• Responsible for undertaking recruitment, onboarding, and appraisal of protection staff. 
• Set clear work plans and objectives for protection teams and promote professional development of staff by identifying and implementing capacity building opportunities. 

Programme Development and Quality Assurance 

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the protection sector (this includes at the area level and national level) through active and ongoing participation in and contribution to strategic planning processes – including protection analysis and strategy development. 
• Contribute to the development of proposals, budgets, and concept notes in coordination with relevant DRC colleagues 
• Ensure quality assurance of protection activities according to minimum standards, including through the development and implementation of standard operating procedures, tools and lessons learned documents 
• Ensure Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) is mainstreamed into protection projects and programmes. 
• Ensure appropriate collection of data of the projects, activities and contexts in respect with ethics and DRC Data Protection Policy in collaboration with Protection Information Management (PIM) or Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team
• Support protection needs assessments, analyses, monitoring, periodic reports and other protection-related quality documents in collaboration with the Protection Information Management (PIM) team.

Finance and Administration 

• Responsible for budget management, including monitoring, forecasting, and performing budget holder responsibilities for protection projects. 

Coordination and Representation 

• Ensure effective coordination and collaboration with other DRC sectors and promote complementarities of programmes. 
• Actively participate in and represent DRC in relevant (regional or local) protection interagency coordination (clusters or sectors). 
• Liaise, coordinate, and foster professional relationships with relevant stakeholders, including government, local authorities and institutions, UN, civil society and NGOs. 
• Actively engage and contribute to DRC protection-related advocacy efforts. 
• Promote integrated programming and ensure internal coordination and harmonisation of DRC protection approach across sites and with other core sectors, as relevant. 
• Liaise with projects’ donor when necessary to support fundraising efforts
• Actively contribute to new viable partnerships for the Protection sector at the Area level.
• Keep abreast of protection activities implemented by other organizations as well as in the geographical working area within CHAD, ensure the complementarity of DRC's programmes, assess referral opportunities and support the capacity development of the duty-bearer

Programme strategy

• Contribute to the technical strategy with emphasis on needs of the affected communities, expansion to relevant sectors, and programme integration. Support the Protection Coordinator and Area Manager on creating the Protection Strategy.

1. Required Qualifications

Experience and technical skills (including years of professional experience) 

• A minimum of 5 years of proven protection experience and management of protection programmes or projects.  
• Master's degree in social sciences, human rights, intervention development, gender/protection studies or other relevant field 
• Experience working with local partners, local authorities and other INGOs within a consortium.
• Previous professional experience in West and Central Africa
• Knowledge of International Refugee Law, International Human Rights Law, and International Humanitarian Law.   
• Knowledge and experience designing, implementing and monitoring and evaluation of protection activities within two or more of DRC’s Protection sector components: Community Based Protection, Gender-Based Violence, Child Protection, Protection Information Management, Community-Based Violence Protection, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and/or Legal Aid.  
• Proven experience in capacity building, including preparation and delivery of materials and mentoring of staff.  
• Strong cultural sensitivity and experience working with people from various backgrounds.  
• Demonstrated experience in team management, including previous experience in the direct line management of staff.  
• Solid experience in project cycle management, including proposal writing, budget management and donor reporting.  
• Full professional command of French, including excellent writing skills. Proficiency in English will be highly prioritized.
• Computer skills in Microsoft Pack (Excel, Office, Outlook, etc.)
• Very good knowledge of humanitarian principles
• Sound understanding and experience in protection mainstreaming and Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) mainstreaming, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and abuse (PSEA) 
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, plan and manage own time effectively, prioritize, and meet deadlines.  
• Ability to adapt the work focus based on the needs and oversee the projects implementation in different field locations concurrently.  
• Strong work ethic, collaborative mindset and ability to take responsibility for own actions.   
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, negotiation and communication skills
• Ability to cope with heavy workloads and work under pressure
• Highly motivated, results-oriented and creative problem solver
• Good understanding of and commitment to DRC values.

4.Skills and qualities required

• In this position, you must demonstrate the five core competencies of the DRC, namely:
• Strive for excellence: you focus on achieving results while ensuring an efficient process. You strive to produce accurate, thorough and professional work with optimal use of time and effort.
• Collaborate: you cooperate with and involve stakeholders, actively seeking their opinions and sharing key information with them. You support and trust others, while encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take responsibility and prioritize your work in line with DRC's overall vision and objectives. You take the initiative when faced with a challenge or opportunity and look for innovative solutions.
• Communicate: you write and speak effectively and honestly, adapting your style and tone to the situation. You actively listen to others and engage them in dialogue.
• Demonstrate integrity: You respect and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in line with DRC's values and code of conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
• Proactivity, with a cooperative and collaborative approach
• Excellent communication skills (including attentiveness and patience) are required
• Good organizational skills are required
• Exemplary sense of ethics
• Ability to work as part of a team, with a good sense of humor

5. General regulations and ethics

• The Employee shall comply with DRC's safety, confidentiality and ethical requirements, including compliance with the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
• The Employee shall not engage in any other employment during his/her employment with DRC without prior authorization from his/her manager.
• The Employee shall not engage in any activity that is detrimental to DRC or the implementation of its projects during his/her employment with DRC.
• The Employee must not give interviews to the media or share project-related content without prior authorization.
• The Employee shall return to DRC any DRC equipment or property at the end of his/her employment contract.   

6. Application procedure

If you are interested in this position, please apply online by following this link: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies.

All applicants must upload a cover letter and updated CV (no more than four pages). Applications can only be submitted online via the DRC website, at the link indicated above. Applications sent by e-mail will not be considered.

Applications will close on May 4, 2026.

We encourage national and international candidates to apply and offer competitive salaries. We strongly encourage female candidate to apply. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC's terms and conditions of employment. For more information, please visit the DRC website.

DRC guarantees equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. The DRC encourages all candidates to apply and does not discriminate in any way during the recruitment process. However, applicants should bear in mind that DRC cannot employ, under an international contract, a national of the country in which they will be working.

As part of this recruitment process, it should be noted that Chadian applications will be given priority.

If you have any questions or problems with the online application process, please contact [email protected]. For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.

 

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