Protection Coordinator CHAD/RCA

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 recently been registered in Chad. We are starting operations in the country and aim to develop them rapidly, with the main objective of responding to the humanitarian crisis in the east of the country in close coordination with DRC in Sudan. Multi-country programming will also be explored in the south of the country, in synergy with DRC Centrafrique and Cameroon.

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. DRC is based in six countries in West and Central Africa, with a regional office in Dakar, Senegal.

1. Objective

The Protection coordinator reports directly to the Head of Programme (HOP) and coordinates technical supervision with the Regional Protection Coordinator. He/she contributes to the development of DRC's programmatic strategy in CHAD and RCA by supporting portfolio development in the protection sector, providing local technical support to operational teams, supervising the implementation of the country's protection strategy, programming and monitoring funding opportunities. He/she will represent the organization in the course of his/her duties. He/she will ensure the quality of DRC's protection program in CHAD/RCA by working closely with project teams and MEAL teams. He/she will support the project managers in the management and monitoring of DRC's partners in CHAD/RCA, particularly about building the partners protection capacity.

The ideal candidate will be able to adapt quickly and demonstrate strong analytical skills. He/she will need to show initiative and innovation, while maintaining a practical and operational mindset, thus guaranteeing the relevance and quality of DRC's protection strategy and protection programming in CHAD/RCA. He/she will be rigorous and motivated by the launch of a new 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.

1. Key Specific Responsabilities

Coordination, representation and advocacy

• Pro-actively lead DRC’s Protection representation with relevant Sectors (Clusters) and working groups on country level and area level when necessary.
• Coordinate with the Protection Cluster to ensure effective information sharing.
• Engage with relevant stakeholders incl. NGOs, donors and government to promote DRC’s Protection programme and support sector’s fundraising efforts.
• Actively seek out new viable partnerships for the Protection sector.
• Actively seek appropriate funding opportunities for the sector in line with the sector's strategy.
• Produce materials for Protection advocacy to promote awareness, establish partnerships and support fund-raising.
• Interact with global and regional initiatives and partnerships for the Protection sector.
• Actively seek out opportunities to give visibility to DRC protection programming in CHAD/RCA
• Disseminate information internally on developments in the sector at national level;
• Keep abreast of protection activities implemented by other organizations in CHAD/RCA and ensure the complementarity of DRC's interventions and assess referral opportunities in collaboration with the Head of Mission.
• Act as the focal point for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) for DRC in CHAD/RCA and, in this capacity, lead by example in safeguarding PSEA.
• In addition to the above, the Protection Coordinator may be asked to carry out other duties requested by the Head of Programme - but always in the scope of this job description.

Programme strategy and quality

• Lead on creation and roll out of the technical strategy with emphasis on needs of the affected communities, expansion to relevant sectors, and programme integration. Support the Head of Programme on creating the Country Strategy.
• Contribute and lead the technical design and review of concept notes, logical frameworks, budgets and full proposals in relevant technical sectors. 
• Prepare learning/knowledge products, SoPs and guidelines covering innovative approaches and good practices, to support overall Protection sector development and good-practice implementation
• Provide technical inputs to all relevant project reports, in collaboration with the Area and Base Managers especially area level Protection Managers, PDQM, Specialist and MEAL Manager.  
• Ensure DRC has sufficient primary and secondary data on protection issues in CHAD/RCA so that programming is evidence-based and responsive to the changing environment. 
• Lead the ongoing strengthening of protection and Age, Gender and Diversity mainstreaming in all phases of DRC’s projects; 
• Provide technical advisory to the implementation teams and Country Office team on any stage of programme implementation, including monitoring and supervision
• Ensure that individual protection assistance and case management by DRC teams and partners respect DRC's protection principles and minimum standards;
• Produce protection needs assessments, analyses, periodic reports and other protection-related quality documents in collaboration with the Protection Information Manager (PIM).
• Guide the teams and review protection incident reports, alerts and protection monitoring products.
• Support the collection and management of quality data for protection data in collaboration with the PIM specialist ;
• Initiate and contribute to the systematic assessment of Protection sector capacity gap analysis, in collaboration with government and other stakeholders, and support the design of initiatives to strengthen capacities systematically.
• Carry out capacity-building and training needs assessment for program/protection teams and local DRC partners;
• Ensure cross-cutting integration of protection activities and the protection mainstreaming approach into other DRC sectors;
• Work closely with all relevant departments to ensure the implementation of DRC's code of conduct and policy on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse;

Program development

• Take the lead in the development of new protection projects and project proposals in coordination with Project Managers, Area Managers, Country Director, Grant Trainee and Support Services Manager;
• Contribute to the development of program work plans and budgets for new proposals;
• Contribute to the development of program monitoring tools for protection activities and ensure the capture of lessons learned;
• Ensure that new proposals comply with international and national protection group standards, DRC protection guidelines and other global best practices;
• Support the Head of Mission in managing donor relations to secure new funding for DRC programming in CHAD/RCA;
• Contribute to program reports;
• External coordination and representation;
• Ensures coordination and representation at the request of national coordination, and cultivates good relations with key humanitarian actors -local and international- through regular participation in technical and bilateral meetings;
• Ensure that all contacts with beneficiaries are conducted in a respectful and sensitive manner;
• If necessary, liaise with donors and work closely with partners on project updates, site visits and other communications.

These responsibilities are not exhaustive and may be adjusted according to operational needs, while respecting the overall role of the Protection Coordinator.

1. Experience and technical skills (including years of professional experience)
2. Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Bac+4/5) in social, political, legal or economic sciences, project management, international development, or any other field relevant to the position
• Minimum five (05) years' experience in the implementation of emergency and/or general protection projects or sectors specializing in protection, particularly GBV, case management and protection monitoring ;
• Excellent knowledge of protection issues, the analysis of protection risks and of protection guidelines in an emergency context .
• Master's degree in social sciences, human rights, intervention development, gender/protection studies or other relevant field 
• Proven experience in program planning and proposal development, including budgeting.
• Previous experience in developing protection strategies and producing technical guidance related to protection components.
• Experience working with local partners, local authorities and other INGOs within a consortium.
• Previous professional experience in West and Central Africa
• Full professional command of French, including excellent writing skills. Proficiency in English will be highly prioritized.
• Very good knowledge of humanitarian principles
• 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
• Computer skills in Microsoft Pack (Excel, Office, Outlook, etc.)
• Good understanding of and commitment to DRC values.

1. 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.

• Ability to work in a multicultural and cosmopolitan environment
• 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

1. 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.

1. 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 July 18, 2025.

We encourage national and international candidates to apply and offer competitive salaries. 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.