Protection Manager

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Overall purpose of the role

The protection manager will directly report to the Area Manager in Gaza and will be technically supported/supervised by the Protection Coordinator and MHPSS specialist. The Protection manager will be responsible for the day to day management  of DRC protection team in Gaza including case workers (both GBV and for general protection), protection officers and PSS officers in addition to acting as the main focal point for liaising with national protection partners. The protection manager will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of DRC’s  protection programme, including leading on the management of protection projects throughout the project cycle in Gaza. The protection manager is accountable for people management and direct reports is accountable for ensuring adherence to DRC policies, standards and quality assurance and ensuring internal/external coordination and representation. The protection manager is the budget holder for protection activities in Gaza.                               

Duties and Responsibilities

General Management

• Manage and oversee implementation of all DRC protection projects in Gaza, in alignment with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, and donor requirements.
• Develop, coordinate, plan, implement and quality assure DRC’s protection interventions. This includes ensuring general oversight, quality assurance of protection activities implemented by DRC as well as by DRC protection partners. Act as main liaison and reference within DRC for local partners throughout the project cycle to coordinate and follow up on progress of implementation.

Technical support:

• Provide technical support, supervision and guidance to protection team members Provide technical support, supervision and guidance to protection team members and ensure technical guidance and SOPs are adhered to by the team
• With the support of the Protection Coordinator and MHPSS specialist, provide capacity building and on-the-job coaching related to staff roles and responsibilities.
• In collaboration with the Protection Coordinator, and as needed, develop and rollout out programme and monitoring tools, including Standard Operating procedures for protection interventions.
• Act as a reference point for other sector colleagues for Protection Mainstreaming. Ensure age, gender diversity and inclusive approaches are also mainstreamed across programme implementation. Support the protection coordinator in delivering capacity building trainings on protection mainstreaming on non protection sector colleagues. Support in following up, providing technical advise on protection mainstreaming plans that may be developed as required.
• Support the protection coordinator and MHPSS specialist in identifying and mapping out protection partners For potential new collaborations.
• Act as case management supervisor for case management officers, including organizing case supervision meetings, case conferences and providing daily technical support to teams in close coordination with the protection coordinator and MHPSS  specialist.

People management

• Responsible for the day to day management and supervision of DRC protection teams including providing direction and monitoring of protection staff in their daily work and implementation of their assigned activities to ensure adherence to work plans and quality standards.
• Lead on the recruitment, onboarding and appraisal of new protection staff with the support of the protection coordinator and Area Manager.
• Set clear workplans and objectives for protection teams and promote professional development of staff by identifying and implementing capacity building opportunities.

Finance and administration:

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

Grants management and reporting:

• Participate in the development of proposals, budgets and concept notes in coordination with the protection Coordinator, Grants team, and HQ Technical Unit.
• Manage and oversee grants; develop and maintain work, spending and procurement plans for all projects. Participate in Grants Opening, Mid-Term and Closing meetings.
• Prepare internal and external reports within agreed deadlines using DRC and donor formats, as required.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning:

• With the Protection Coordinator and MEAL Manager, ensure a MEAL plan is in place and implemented for General Project program activities.
• Monitor and support adherence to grant work plans, spending plans, and monitoring and evaluation plans, and timely delivery of donor and management reports on general protection activities. 
• Ensure all monitoring activities are fully documented, including systematic and timely data collection as required under the grant and for DRC MEAL purposes. 
• Together with MEAL review and ensure all data protection protocols are in place and adhered to within the teams.

Coordination and Representation:

• In consultation with the protection coordinator participate in protection cluster coordination meetings and other relevant working groups within the coordination mechanism (such as the disability inclusion working group, case management working group etc), including by  sharing findings and any issues of relevance and/or concern related to the local context or broader trends.
• With the support of the protection coordinator and MHPSS specialist continue identifying ways to integrate protection interventions/activities with other DRC sectors including site management, economic recovery and humanitarian mine action.
• With the support of the protection coordinator and advocacy coordinator, provide support to any advocacy initiatives including by sharing data from protection monitoring or raising issues observed through routine programming.

Other Duties:

• Any other relevant duties as requested by your line manager.

Experience and technical competencies:

• A minimum of 3-5 years of proven experience and management of protection programmes or projects.
• Bachelor of Arts degree or appropriate level of expertise or experience
• Knowledge and experience designing, implementing and monitoring and evaluating protection interventions.
• Proven experience in capacity building including preparation and delivery of materials and mentoring of staff.
• Strong cultural sensitivity and experience working with persons from various backgrounds. 
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, plan and manage own time effectively, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• 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) is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in team management, including previous experience in the direct line management of staff. 
• Ability to multi-task and oversee interventions in different field locations concurrently. 
• Experience in project cycle management, including proposal writing, budget management and donor reporting. 
• Strong work ethic and ability to take responsibility for own actions.  

Languages

• Fluency in Arabic [ESSENTIAL].
• Professional knowledge of English is required.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months, pending funding confirmation from UNFPA grant.

Position Band:  This position will be placed at Management band (F2)

Start date: February 20, 2025

Duty station: Gaza

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Nationals.

Application process

Interested to apply? All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right of conducting tests and interviews before the closing date, and can close the advertisement earlier in case of finding a suitable candidate.

Closing date for applications: February 09, 2025

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.