Victim Assistance Specialist

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

Victim Assistance Specialist is centered on planning, coordinating, and implementing Victim Assistance (VA) activities within the Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) sector. It involves developing work plans, collaborating with stakeholders, and analysing gaps in services for Explosive Ordnance (EO) victims. The role requires leading the organisation of technical working groups, coordinating advocacy and communication efforts, and supporting the development of guidance and standard operating procedures. Additionally, the role includes providing direct assistance to EO victims, developing awareness materials, and ensuring data management and reporting. It also involves supporting procurement and logistics related to VA activities and contributing to monitoring and quality assurance processes. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Planning, Coordination, and Context Analysis

• Participate in the development of activity workplans and follow them accordingly.
• Actively participate in internal HMA team meetings and share pertinent updates.
• Collaborate and coordinate with all relevant stakeholders, as well as technical leads to support adequate implementation, referrals, and coordination of DRC VA activities.
• Continuously analyse the context, including gaps in VA services and needs of EO victims.
• Attend, participate at, and debrief on all VA and VA-related local, district, or regional meetings as well as VA-related clusters when required.
• Act as DRC’s VA focal point with the Palestinian Mine Action Centre (PMAC).

Implementation of Victim Assistance

• Lead the organization of the VA Technical Working Group under the Mine Action Area of Responsibility (MA AOR), coordination roundtables and other such public events on the rights and needs of People with Disabilities (PwD), including EO victims.
• Together with HMA Coordinator, oversee (external) consultants, developing VA Service Directory, executing needs assessment or other such services rendered.
• Lead the work with survivor organisations to analyse their needs and gaps as well as include them into VA programme designs.
• Coordinate (technical) inputs from VA stakeholders to feed into the designs of advocacy mass media campaigns and other types of communication of the rights and needs of PwD, including EO victims.
• Coordinate technical input to advocacy letters on pertinent topics with targeted VA stakeholders.
• Support the process of developing VA SOP, TMP, and other relevant guidance.
• Support in assessing the needs of cases reported through the UNMAS system and conducting initial referrals as per the pathway established in DRC SOPs.
• Collaborate with the protection specialist on cases that require protection assistance.
• Provide Cash Assistance to direct and indirect victims of EO accidents.
• Develop and implement VA-related training for a variety of stakeholders in Gaza and the West Bank.
• Develop written and photographic accounts of good practices and success stories and share them with HMA Coordinator.
• Lead the development of information leaflets, brochures for awareness-raising activities, and ensure their distribution.
• Support Community Liaison (CL) with local communities to identify EO victims as well as community needs related to VA programming.

Reporting, Proposal Writing, and Information Management

• Use Information Management (IM) tools to share VA activity data to DRC MEAL, ensuring the highest standards of data protection and confidentiality.

Procurement, Warehouse, and VA Archives

• Flag any gaps or damages in required work equipment to HMA Coordinator.
• Upload VA data and Means of Verifications to the online archives and store hard-copy documents.
• Contribute to procurement efforts, including developing the required documentation and liaison with DRC Supply Chain Team.

Monitoring and Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC)

• Cooperate during VA (internal and external) monitoring as well as in-country or HQ Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC).
• Contribute to the lessons learnt reports on VA activities.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Medical Degree (MD) is a strong advantage. Advanced university degree in Social Work or related social science discipline in lieu of an MD.
• Team-player who accepts DRC lines of management and can command authority him/herself.
• 3 years of experience in a humanitarian organisation or an organisation with similar mandate is an advantage. Experience in coordination of (humanitarian) activities or organizations is mandatory.
• Advanced interpersonal (ideally with experience in people management), communication and negotiation skills with public speaking capacity, excellent writing, and analytical skills.
• Well organized, proactive, flexible, and trustworthy.
• Ability to work away from home within remote environments for extended periods of time.
• Computer literacy: proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office package (with focus on Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).
• Fluent in English and Arabic both spoken and written

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 Duration: short term contract until 13 July 2025, based to fund may be extended.

Position Band:  This position will be placed at  (G non-management)

Start date: ASAP

Duty station: Gaza

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

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.

Closing date for applications: May 13, 2025

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