Protection Assistant (General)

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian organization that has been operational in Iraq since 2003, making it one of the first organizations to provide humanitarian assistance in the country. DRC focuses on supporting the most vulnerable displacement-affected families, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities. The organization operates in various regions across Iraq, including Basra, Baqubah, Jalawla, Gatoon, Baghdad, Muqdadiya, Balad, Aziz Balad, Samarra, Mosul, Duhok, Tel Afar, Baa’j, Sinjar, and Erbil. DRC's mission is to ensure that the rights of displaced persons are respected and that they receive the necessary support to rebuild their lives. The organization employs a diverse team of professionals and collaborates with local and international partners to deliver effective humanitarian assistance.

Job Overview:
The Protection Assistant plays a crucial role in the DRC's protection team, working under the supervision of the Protection Team Leader. The primary responsibility of the Protection Assistant is to conduct a variety of protection activities aimed at supporting vulnerable individuals and communities. This includes providing information, conducting participatory protection assessments, and ensuring the quality implementation of community-based protection activities. The role requires close cooperation with other team members to ensure that protection services are delivered effectively and in accordance with DRC's guidelines. The Protection Assistant is expected to engage with beneficiaries of different ages, genders, and abilities, ensuring that their specific needs are met through tailored case management and protection assistance. The position also involves regular field visits to assess community needs and facilitate consultations, thereby ensuring that the protection response is responsive to the evolving context.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Assistant's duties and responsibilities encompass a wide range of tasks aimed at providing effective protection services. Key responsibilities include:

• Identifying individuals in need of protection and ensuring timely responses through case management services.
• Providing comprehensive case management services in line with DRC Iraq's guidance and standard operating procedures, which involves steps such as identification, needs assessment, case planning, implementation, follow-up, and closure.
• Offering individual protection assistance, ensuring detailed documentation of all interactions and assessments.
• Conducting regular follow-ups on assigned cases to monitor progress and identify additional needs.
• Providing psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support throughout the case management process.
• Participating in community consultations and focused group discussions to gather insights on community needs and protection concerns.
• Engaging in protection monitoring and raising concerns to the Protection Officer.
• Ensuring compliance with best practices and international standards in protection response.
• Documenting all protection activities accurately and in a timely manner. 1
• Supporting the Protection Officer with administrative tasks as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Protection Assistant position must possess a minimum of two years of relevant work experience in protection within a humanitarian context. They should have a solid understanding of humanitarian protection activities and the delivery of community programs aimed at vulnerable groups. Familiarity with protection principles, minimum standards, and basic psychosocial support concepts is essential. Additionally, candidates must demonstrate excellent IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Office applications, and possess strong communication and problem-solving abilities. The ability to maintain confidentiality and prioritize the safety and dignity of beneficiaries is crucial, along with a willingness to work flexible hours as required by the role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Protection Assistant position includes a diploma in social work, humanities, law, counseling, psychology, or a related field that is equivalent to a professional qualification. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of protection work and effectively supporting vulnerable populations.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least two years of relevant experience in protection work within a humanitarian setting. This experience should include direct involvement in humanitarian protection activities and the delivery of community programs to vulnerable groups, demonstrating a solid understanding of protection principles and practices.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for effective communication with beneficiaries and community members. Additionally, candidates should have the ability to communicate and write in English, which is important for documentation and reporting purposes.

Additional Notes:
The Protection Assistant position is expected to start on 15 September 2026, contingent upon the signature of the donor agreement, and will end on 28 February 202

• The salary band for this role is classified as 'I', and the successful candidate will receive comprehensive health insurance for themselves, their spouse, and up to two children under 1
• Personal accident insurance coverage will also be provided for work-related incidents during working hours. Furthermore, the organization offers psychosocial support for staff and their family members, along with learning and development opportunities for professional growth. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff. Applicants are required to upload a cover letter and an updated CV in English, with a closing date for applications set for 12 September 202
• Due to the urgency of this recruitment, DRC reserves the right to review applications and conduct interviews on a rolling basis, potentially filling the vacancy before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.