About DRC
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide adequate assistance with a rights-based approach to refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees and migrants.
Our vision is to help refugees, internally displaced persons and their host communities to a decent life. We protect lives and human rights and empower beneficiaries throughout the conflict displacement by providing shelter, food and hope in terms of work, education and integration towards a sustainable future.
DRC established an operational presence in Colombia in 2011 with a focus on Humanitarian Mine Action ( HMA ) and providing support to the population affected by the conflict in southern country. With the start of large mixed migratory flows to Colombia due to the Venezuelan crisis, DRC began an integrated humanitarian response in 2018 to meet the urgent needs of refugees, migrants, returnees from Venezuela and host communities in cities such as Riohacha, Barranquilla, Medellín and Bogotá. Subsequently, in 2021 DRC opened offices in the departments of Nariño and Norte de Santander to attend to victims of armed conflict and people who go through double and/or triple involvement ( mixed migratory flows and natural disasters ).
In the latter specifically in the municipality of Tibú, where the protection program currently implements protection monitoring activities, legal aid, community-based protection and protection case management.
Context
Despite a peace process signed in 2016, armed groups and criminal gangs are still present and active in the country, and internal displacement has increased in recent years. Colombia continues to be one of the countries with the highest number of internally displaced persons in the world and the most affected area is the Norte de Santander department. In November 2021, DRC opened a new field office in the Catatumbo region of Norte de Santander (specifically, in the municipality of Tibú) to respond to the protection needs of the population victim of the armed conflict and to people who are experiencing double and / or triple affectation;
In the subregion, DRC implements an integrated humanitarian response financed by ECHO and ASDI in the area with a strong protection program that currently includes protection monitoring activities, legal aid, community-based protection and protection case management.
About work:
The Protection Manager will have its headquarters in Tibú, leading the DRC protection response in the Catatumbo subregion, Norte de Santander department. The Protection Manager will work directly with the Area Manager and in collaboration with the National Protection Coordination to develop the DRC protection strategy in the intervention area, as well as the SOPs that are required, and hire and train personnel as needed.
The Protection Manager will also be responsible of the general management and supervision of DRC protection activities, including direct supervision of 6 protection staff members (1 Protection team leadership, 2 legal aid officers, 1 protection case management officer, 1 officer and 1 community-based protection assistant). Likewise, the Protection Management will provide technical support and coordinate directly with the emergency team, and it will be the technical focal point to promote the mainstreaming of protection in all program activities and base areas, with the support of Area Management. The Protection Manager will be under the direct supervision of the Area Manager based in Tibú and the technical supervision of the National Protection Coordination based in Bogotá.
Main responsibilities
- In close collaboration with the National Protection Coordination and within the intervention area, develop the protection strategy, develop standardized operating procedures and tools for protection actions, and ensure the integration of protection in all DRC humanitarian assistance activities.
- Provide ongoing on-the-job training for protection personnel.
- Manage and supervise the implementation of protection activities in the intervention area (protection monitoring, legal aid, community-based protection and protection case management).
- Ensure the effective and quality implementation of DRC protection monitoring, including the writing of periodic analytical reports and the dissemination of key findings to relevant stakeholders.
- Support activities on the ground to provide humanitarian assistance.
- Coordinate closely with other humanitarian actors in the territory and participate in the Protection subgroups within the Local Coordination Team (ELC) and the Interagency Group on Mixed Migratory Flows (GIFMM).
- Establish working relationships and links with key humanitarian actors and local institutions and authorities of the national State such as the Departmental Government, Ombudsman, UARIV, Registrar, Migration Colombia and community organizations in the area of responsibility.
- Work closely with the Area Manager and the National Protection Coordinator to ensure consistency with the DRC Protection strategy at the national level.
- Ensure compliance with donor monitoring and evaluation (MEAL) and reporting activities for all protection activities and ensure progress towards objectives and indicators of the project.
- Provide project support and inputs for proposals and reports to donors.
- Supervise the general protection budget, including financial management and control of expenses for project activities.
- Keep abreast of humanitarian developments, on the rights situation and on the context of armed conflict in the area of intervention.
- Ensure compliance with the minimum DRC and donor requirements for finance, human resources and supply chain.
- Ensure effective coordination with support staff in the field office and the national DRC office.
- Work closely with the Area Manager and Liaison Officer to collect security-related information to ensure the safety of DRC staff.
Program development and strategy
- Monitor knowledge sharing between teams and ensure that monitoring and evaluation results are understood and used to improve programs.
- Contribute to protection strategies at the national and local levels.
Accountability and reporting
- Guided by the DRC Program Manual, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives within the relevant project program, as well as strengthening efforts to document the impact of activities.
- Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements, including financial and procurement reports.
Team management.
- Monitor and manage protection personnel, including training, ensuring coordination, recruitment, and capacity development, in accordance with DRC’s human resources policy and guidelines.
- Provide on-the-job training as needed and tailor training / training to specific staff needs.
As manager, the incumbent is responsible for the following:
- Responsible for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
- Responsible for making meaningful decisions about what unity does: its purpose, functions, and roles, and making commitments and decisions that require the expense of significant unit resources.
Experience and required skills
(Candidates who do not meet these requirements will not be considered for the position)
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the implementation of protection activities in humanitarian contexts, with at least 2 years in complex emergencies in the context of the armed conflict.
- Work experience on legal issues and / or protection of rights in the context of armed conflict and, specifically, internal displacement, as well as in relation to mixed migratory flows, international protection and refuge.
- Experience in protection information management, particularly in protection monitoring;
- Excellent reporting and protection skills.
- At least 2 years of experience in human management in the humanitarian sector, preferably in complex humanitarian emergencies with difficult security conditions.
- Experience in capacity development for protection personnel.
- Excellent interpersonal and diplomatic skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
- Effective team player and troubleshooter.
- A good understanding of the legal framework and protection problems related to internal displacement in Colombia.
- Experience in the implementation of protection activities related to internally displaced persons in the context of Colombia and / or Latin America.
- Oral fluency in Spanish and advanced English skills.
- Excellent writing and editing skills in both Spanish and English.
- Experience in guaranteeing the protection and integration of AGD for humanitarian projects.
Desirable:
- Experience and knowledge of the protection cluster coordination system.
- Experience and knowledge in differential approaches (gender and ethnic) and GBV.
- Community work experience or with a community-based approach.
All DRC roles require the incumbent to master the basic DRC competencies:
Fight for excellence: focus on achieving results while ensuring efficient processes;
Collaboration: involve relevant parties and encourage feedback;
Take the initiative: take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation;
Communicate: listen and speak effectively and honestly;
Demonstrate integrity: act in accordance with the vision and values of DRC.
Education required
Master in Human Rights, Political Science, Forced Migration, Refugee Law, or any other relevant field. A relevant combination of academic qualifications and extensive experience can be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.
We offer
Contract duration: national / expatriate contract for six (6) months with the possibility of an extension, according to financing and performance. Note: If you are Colombian, only one national contract applies.
Staff salary level: F Manager Band
Estimated start date: 02/01/2024
R&R: Every 8 weeks (if you are an expat)
Application process: All applicants must upload a cover letter (max. 1 page) and an updated CV (max. 4 pages) in Spanish. Requests sent by email will not be considered.
Application closing date: 01/25/2024 at 11.59 PM Colombian time (GMT-5)
The Danish Refugee Council is an employer that offers equal opportunities. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. ¡We encourage all interested candidates to apply!
