TERMS OF REFERENCE
VACANCY: PROTECTION OFFICER
INTRODUCTION
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in over 40 countries to provide rights-based assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, returnees and other people on the move, as well as vulnerable local populations/host communities.
DRC is currently seeking a highly qualified individual with experience working in humanitarian or community contexts and knowledge of the migration context in Mexico for the position of Protection Officer in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. This is a national contract (only for persons with authorization to work in Mexico) to implement activities in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico from the base in Reynosa.
CONTEXT
Since 2020, DRC has implemented activities in Mexico, to progressively contribute to the humanitarian response to the migration crisis on both borders of the country and to address people affected by internal displacement. In July 2023, DRC opened an office in Reynosa, Tamaulipas to respond to the crisis faced by mixed migration flows on the country’s northern border and to address immediate needs and prevent protection risks for the most vulnerable people.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION
- Implement protection activities with people on the move, in accordance with the objectives of the protection program in DRC Mexico, and the indicators and goals of the protection projects
- Contribute to the design of protection interventions and associated tools at the base and in the country operation
ABOUT THE POSITION
Under the direction of the Reynosa Protection Manager, the Protection Officer will implement field protection monitoring activities, individualized protection assistance, and information dissemination, in accordance with DRC standard operating procedures (SOP), and will support the implementation of other humanitarian assistance modalities, in direct and close contact with persons of interest. This involves field work, in formal and informal accommodation spaces for the population of interest, in compliance with the security and internal coordination guidelines of the base. The Protection Officer will work closely with other members of the base’s Protection Team and will be part of the DRC Mexico Protection Unit.
Responsibilities:
Implementation of Protection Activities
- Develop knowledge and understanding of the IASC guidelines for protection work; DRC’s global protection policies; and DRC Mexico’s standard operating procedures on protection monitoring, information dissemination, and individualized protection assistance, among others.
- Conduct awareness-raising and dissemination activities with the population of interest and other actors at the local level to identify potential beneficiaries of protection services.
- Implement assigned protection activities in line with SOPs and internal operation guidelines, including Protection Monitoring (the collection of qualitative and quantitative data and insights through household-level surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews), dissemination of protection information in project intervention areas, individualized protection assistance, and implementation of timely referrals for specialized support, among others, in accordance with a work plan to be developed with the Protection Manager.
- Develop tools for information dissemination activities and informational material for persons of interest, under the supervision of the Protection Manager.
- Alert the Protection Manager and Base Manager of any concerns related to the implementation of DRC protection activities on base.
- Implement administrative and financial procedures, as required, to make purchases and other processes necessary for the implementation of protection activities, in accordance with the organization’s guidelines and standards.
- Ensure timely and accurate recording of all protection activities in the formats and systems established by the operation.
- Participate in technical supervision processes, including at local, national and regional levels.
- Implement all necessary tools to monitor and evaluate the impacts of protection activities, with the support of the organization’s MEAL staff.
- Carry out any other activity to facilitate the implementation of humanitarian intervention at the base, in accordance with the instructions of the Protection Manager and/or Base Manager.
Part of the DRC Reynosa Team
- Contribute to and update the mapping of protection services and the definition of channeling mechanisms between sectors.
- Support initiatives and processes to ensure that other services offered by DRC Reynosa incorporate a protection perspective.
- Promote and facilitate the collection of feedback and complaints, in accordance with the tools established by the operation.
- Respect and limit the safety, technical and strategic indications of the operation, including the red lines on the scope of the intervention
- Maintain good relations with local stakeholders, including relevant public institutions, in accordance with the base’s access strategy.
- Participate and contribute in operational and strategic planning and review processes.
- Provide information for regular reporting as required by the Protection Manager and/or Base Manager.
- Participate in the reception of internal and external visitors at the base, including the explanation of psychosocial support activities.
- Contribute to the implementation of specific activities in other sectors, such as the distribution of multipurpose cash, the delivery of assistance kits, and other forms of direct assistance
- Actively participate in team meetings providing input, challenges and lessons learned.
Member of the DRC Mexico Protection Unit
- Contribute to strengthening the protection knowledge and sensitivities of DRC operation staff.
- Organize and facilitate protection-related activities, as requested.
- Participate in internal and external training, as requested.
- Participate, on an ongoing basis, in protection analysis processes at local and national levels to contribute to the understanding of protection risks and needs faced by the population of interest, providing inputs for regular and ad hoc analyses.
Experience and Technical Skills:
- Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in humanitarian protection, social work, rights.
- Having worked in the region of intervention or knowing the territorial context is an advantage.
- Work experience with national or international NGOs.
- Fluency in verbal and written Haitian Creole or French is an advantage.
- Previous experience or knowledge of mixed migration movements in Mexico.
- Communication skills, both oral and written, in Spanish. Verbal/written fluency in Haitian Creole, English, and/or French is an advantage.
- Excellent computer skills, including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Flexibility to travel internally within the state of Tamaulipas or to other destinations to participate in training and/or exchange activities, and to work after hours if necessary.
- Interpersonal, problem-solving and creativity skills.
- Experience in data collection and analysis is a plus.
- Comfort in a multicultural environment and ability to work under pressure.
- Will and ability to learn.
- High professional ethics.
- Skills to contribute to a good environment for teamwork
BASIC DRC COMPETENCIES:
All DRC roles require the professional to possess the following internal core competencies:
- Striving for excellence: focusing on achieving results while ensuring efficient processes.
- Collaboration: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
- Taking the initiative: Taking ownership and initiative while pursuing innovation.
- Communication: listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
- Demonstrate integrity: Uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to the DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
REQUIRED EDUCATION:
Diploma or professional degree in areas related to political science, law, social work, international development, psychology, human rights, any related field or equivalent professional experience.
WE OFFER:
- Salary: from $21,500 MXN gross depending on the candidate’s experience.
- Type of contract: Permanent contract with a 3-month trial period + all legal benefits.
- Major Medical Expenses Insurance and Social Security.
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Place of work: Reynosa, Tamaulipas
APPLICATION PROCESS:
All applicants must upload a cover letter and a current CV (no more than four pages). Applications sent by email will not be considered. Deadline for applications is 17/09/2024. To apply for the vacancy, please visit www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. If you have any questions about the vacancy, please contact: andrea.rosales@drc.ngo
How to apply
APPLICATION PROCESS:
All applicants must upload a cover letter and a current CV (no more than four pages). Applications sent by email will not be considered. Deadline for applications is 17/09/2024. To apply for the vacancy, please do so directly at the following link: job.drc.ngo/jobs/job?id=171886 or visit www.drc.ngo under Vacancies. If you have questions about the vacancy, please contact: andrea.rosales@drc.ngo
