We are looking for a highly qualified, self-motivated Protection Team Leader who is able to manage a large protection management programme, work with diverse teams of both national and international staff, and equipped with technical skills to develop and strengthen emergency response capacity in a highly complex crisis.
DRC is operational in South Sudan since 2005, working with the overall aim of achieving durable solutions for displaced populations. The Danish Demining Group (DDG) started Humanitarian Mine Action in 2006.
Danish Refugee Council main program objectives (2018-2020) in South Sudan are:
- To save lives and alleviate suffering among displaced people and their hosts
- To reduce displacement related risks and support and facilitate solutions
- To promote peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies and address root causes to displacement
DRC primarily operates across Upper Nile and Unity states, both of which are heavily affected by conflict and experience high numbers of internally displaced populations as well as refugees in need of humanitarian assistance. DRC has operational bases in Maban, Malakal, Kodok and Aburoc in Upper Nile and in Bentiu, Mayom, and Ajuong Thok in Unity state, supported by a country-office in Juba.
Overall purpose of the role:
The Protection Team Leader position will ensure implementation of general protection, GBV and HLP activities, including coordination activities in Malakal County – Upper Nile State. The Protection Team leader will supervise a team of protection officers, assistants and outreach workers, and oversee all protection activities implementation, provide technical support to implementing partner (HDC), support the Protection Manager in Malakal with reporting and planning, strengthen the capacity of DRC and HDC staff, and maintain strong relations with relevant stakeholders, among other tasks.
Responsibilities
- In collaboration with the Protection Manager, provide technical support, supervision and guidance to the DRC protection team as well as HDC partner staff and ensure that staff adhere to best-practices and professional standards and principles through capacity-building and on-the-job coaching.
- Identify technical gaps in the program and identify/implement solutions to address these gaps.
- Act as focal point for DRC partners in Malakal County, while leading the implementation of the agreed technical capacity building and coaching plan.
- Supervise and support protection officers, assistants, outreach workers and other relevant staff in the implementation of project activities, in accordance with agreed strategy, operational plan, budgets, and DRC and donor regulations; including protection and HLP monitoring, assessments, trainings as appropriate, identification and support to persons at risk of protection issues, protection case management, and other regular protection activities. In addition to day to day supervision of the protection staff, ensure that staff implement and respect best-practice and international standards in protection, GBV and HLP activities.
- Build the capacity of the DRC Protection Officers, Assistants and Outreach Workers and relevant HDC staff members to improve their range of capabilities related to the protection program and its activities;
- With the support of Protection Manager, contribute to and provide field-related inputs for protection proposals during the proposal development process;
- Ensure the implementation of protection programming and protection-related grants, including appropriate and timely spending plans of grants to achieve program goals, grants reporting contributions, use and distribution of supplies and resources.
- Actively participate in field-working groups (GBV, CP, PWG, HLP etc) and co-chair the relevant working groups where relevant;
- Contribute to the strategic direction of the DRC Protection department, in close collaboration with the DRC Protection Manager and Protection Technical Coordinator, including initiating strategy planning at field level, and share protection updates and information with Malakal Protection Manager and DRC Protection Coordinator on regular basis.
- Prepare and follow weekly and monthly work plans.
- Train DRC and HDC staff on a regular basis, at least once a month, on protection principles, guidance, and protection activities, in close collaboration with the Protection and GBV Managers.
- Draft protection (in particular HLP focused) reports and analyses, in close collaboration with the DRC Protection Manager in Malakal and DRC Protection Coordinator as well as with HDC Protection team.
- Contribute to and support effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning processes and initiatives, and ensure effective data and information management and contribute to regular reporting on protection activities (weekly, monthly
- quarterly, mid-year, annual, as required).
- Prepare all necessary documentation for each activity (including weekly vehicle movement plans, order requests, payment requests, etc.) and for the reconciliation of the money spent during each activity.
- Create and follow weekly work plans with HDC team to schedule the team’s program activities.
- Liaise and build partnerships with community leaders, and other relevant actors to encourage participation in, support for and a better understanding of the program activities
- Ensure staff compliance with security management rules and procedures; for example, ensuring relevant documentation and procedures are understood and adhered to by staff.
- Provide technical support to HDC to prepare project procurement plans and raise materials/services requisitions and follow up with the respective support departments.
- Participate in relevant Malakal coordination meetings.
- At Malakal level, the Protection Team Leader is overall responsible for rigorous application of project cycle management standards to achieve protection program quality in design, implementation and monitoring; for example, strengthening data collection, in-depth reporting and analyses, monitoring accountability initiatives, and documenting the impact of DRC and HDC presence in the field.
- Ensure synergy/integration between protection and other sectors (GBV, CCCM and Shelter) in Malakal.
- Strengthen the DRC and HDC protection team’s capacity through daily supervision, mentoring, and training on identified topics/areas that require support.
- Any other tasks as required by the Project Manager.
About you
- A degree in political/social sciences, law, development studies, international development or equivalent degree qualifications
- At least 2-years protection project management experience, including community-based training experience on conflict and dispute resolution mechanism, Housing, Land and Property (HLP), human rights and/or protection, and protection monitoring/human rights experience;
- Proven technical knowledge of human rights, protection principles, project cycle management, SPHERE standards;
- Experience in budget management and project implementation;
- Understanding of and experience in engaging the cluster system in IDP sites;
- Ability for rapid analysis of very complex issues, strong decision-making, and programmatic learning and priorities into operational strategies;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, cross-cultural communication;
- Good team leadership and conflict resolution skills, consensus team building, and adaptability;
- Experience delivering programs to tight deadlines;
- Good computer and IT skills and strong communication and writing skills;
- Fluency in written and spoken English language;
- Ability and willingness to work in remote and isolated location with limited access to services and changing security scenarios
Desirable qualifications
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Prior experience in South Sudan an added advantage
- Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance and supervision
- Experience working in security-sensitive environments and enforcement of team security protocols is an asset.
Moreover, 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: 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
Duration: 6 months renewable contract subject to Performance and Funding.
Contract: Salary and conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Global Expatriates available at www.drc.dk under Vacancies graded as Band M.F level 2.
Start Date: As soon as possible
Duty Station: Malakal – South Sudan
Reporting: This position reports to Protection Manager
Direct Reports: Protection Officers, Field Assistants and Outreach Workers
Commitments: DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html). All DRC staff must be committed to the Red Cross Code of Conduct, as well as the Core Humanitarian Standards.
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.
More Information
- Job City Malakal, Upper Nile