Protection Specialist

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Protection Specialist for our operations in our Assosa Field Office.

Overall purpose of the role

The Protection Specialist is responsible for implementing DRC’s protection monitoring program in Benishangul Gumuz. The role focuses on the continuous analysis of the protective environment across DRC’s areas of operation to identify trends and emerging protection risks. Additionally, the position holder will lead the update of protection analysis, design protection monitoring methodologies, develop data collection systems, analyze both quantitative and qualitative data from protection monitoring activities, and produce protection information products, such as protection monitoring reports, analysis and learning briefs.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Design a protection monitoring methodology and tools appropriate to project locations in line with the updated protection analysis and DRC’s global Protection Monitoring Guidance.
• Lead on developing, updating, and rolling out of data collection tools and methodologies including determining relevant samples.
• Lead on developing capacity building plans and implementing training for Community Based Protection Networks (CBPN) and protection staff assigned to protection monitoring and Rapid protection assessment (RPA).
• In close collaboration with DRC Ethiopia Information Management Officer, support in developing, implementing, and maintaining protection information management system for protection monitoring.
• Work closely with DRC and partner protection monitoring teams to ensure timely and accurate data collection and sharing in line with the adopted protection monitoring methodology, and to clarify information and conduct data triangulation with other sources to ensure accuracy.
• Support DRC Ethiopia Information Management Officer in ensuring appropriate data processing.
• Lead on data analysis and produce regular protection reports and analysis in line with the global Protection Analytical Framework (PAF) and standard terminology, highlighting key protection risks patterns and trends,
• Carry out regular field visits to support and monitor the data collection process for quality assurance and provide on spot technical support to field based staff.
• Regularly review data collection methodologies and quality of information collected in order to change, update, and improve tools and systems in collaboration with the country Protection Coordinator.
• Follow up closely on contextual developments to propose new thematic areas of focus to research.
• Support dissemination and presentation of findings to relevant partners and donors, as agreed with DRC Protection manage and Head of programs and in line with Protection Information Management principles.
• Review of information dissemination material to ensure regular updates and improvement of information dissemination methodologies and content.
• Work in close collaboration with other sectors to ensure that information collection and reporting is integrated across all sectors.
• With support from DRC Protection Coordinator, lead on capacity development of DRC staff, CBPN and partner staff on Protection Information Management and Protection Analysis and PAF.
• In collaboration with Protection Coordinator, contribute to the development of position documents and other information products to inform response and advocacy.
• Support in donor report and development of concepts notes and proposals for future programming.
• Maintain effective working relationships with UN agencies, NGOs, INGO, government authorities, and other key stakeholders to ensure active coordination, collaboration, and responsible information dissemination.
• Undertake other relevant tasks as requested by the Project Manager, Country Protection Coordinator, the Programme Development and Quality Manager and DRC Head of Programs.

Technical supervision:

Within Technical Supervision mandate in the assigned thematic area and geographic scope, the position holder is responsible for:

• Providing technical direction, guidance, and where mandated, instructions to ensure compliance with DRC policies, standards, and strategies on protection monitoring and analysis.
• Supporting managers and technical staff through regular communication, capacity building, and promotion of best practices.
• Support managers with assessing the technical skills and performance of most senior technical staff in the field offices.
• Escalating and, where authorized, addressing issues of non-compliance or poor performance in line with the technical supervision mandate.
• Participating in the recruitment of most senior technical staff in field offices.

Partnerships:

• Participate in partner mapping, setting partner selection criteria and in the final selection
• Participate in potential partner due-diligence assessment
• Engage partners during project and budget development
• Participate in partners project kick-off and close-out meeting
• Participate in partner capacity assessment and work with partner to execute the capacity development plan
• Participate in partner monitoring visit and prepare a report
• Provide technical guidance to partners on program quality standards
• Actively engage in partner project management/review meeting
• Review and approve narrative reports of partner

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 3 years of practical experience in protection, with s practical experience in research or protection monitoring and protection analysis.
• Excellent knowledge of research/protection monitoring methodologies, experience in development and roll out of data collection and processing tools for trends analysis over time.
• Proven experience in protection analysis including ability to interpret, analyze and synthesize information.
• Familiarity with international human rights, international humanitarian law, refugee law, and regulatory frameworks for internal displacement, as well as Protection Analytical Framework, and Protection Information Management principles.
• Demonstrable experience producing protection reports under tight deadlines using both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to coordinate constructively and respectfully among people from varied backgrounds
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint).
• Excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize, and attention to detail

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• University degree in social work, social science, law or other relevant field from a recognized institution.

LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)

• Excellent skills in speaking, reading and writing English, and Amharic

 

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: 6 Months

Contract Type: National Contract

Band: G2- Non-Management

Designation of Duty Station: Assosa, Ethiopia Field Office.

Start date:  15th April 2026

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

Application process

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

Closing date for applications: March 29, 2026

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

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.
Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics

We strongly encourage female candidates to apply for the position!

We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nations to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.

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