Asistente de Protección

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization that assists people who are forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. Established in 1946, NRC has grown to become a leading organization in the humanitarian sector, operating in over 30 countries worldwide. With a mission to help millions of people in need, NRC focuses on providing high-quality aid and defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. The organization employs thousands of dedicated staff members who work tirelessly to address some of the world's most pressing crises. NRC is committed to fostering a culture of professional growth, diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that all employees are empowered to contribute to the organization's mission.

Job Overview:
The position of Asistente de Protección is crucial for supporting the daily implementation of protection projects. The role involves assisting in the execution of project portfolios according to action plans, preparing and developing progress reports as required by the Protection Leader, and ensuring proper documentation management. The Asistente de Protección is expected to promote ideas that enhance the effectiveness of their role, organize and execute tasks based on priorities and standards, and develop a strong understanding of the area of specialization to provide effective technical assistance and support to the team. The individual will take initiative in resolving daily problems in accordance with agreed procedures and standards, ensuring adherence to NRC's policies and guidelines. This position plays a vital role in planning, coordinating, and implementing protection activities in line with humanitarian principles and protection standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Asistente de Protección will have a range of responsibilities, including but not limited to: supporting the planning, coordination, and implementation of protection activities; disseminating information about protection services to participating populations; participating in needs assessments and impact evaluations of protection activities in prioritized locations; assisting in capacity-building activities for communities, government authorities, and other relevant stakeholders on protection-related topics; managing protection cases and community processes in coordination with the supervisor; maintaining regular contacts with local authorities and implementing partners as requested; providing inputs for regular and ad-hoc reports to donors regarding protection activities; supporting the planning of field visits, including donor visits; and assisting in the implementation of relevant activities for the SIP as outlined in the CO's Action Plan for their Unit/Team. The Asistente de Protección will also perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor to fulfill the objectives of the position.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Asistente de Protección position should possess a combination of professional competencies, including general professional skills such as prior experience, including internships, in humanitarian support roles. Candidates should have experience working in complex and changing contexts, with proven experience related to the responsibilities of the position. A basic knowledge of the English language is also required. Specific skills, knowledge, and experiences relevant to the context include being a university student in law, social work, social sciences, political science, or a related field. Knowledge of national and international legal frameworks regarding human rights and the protection of displaced persons is essential, as well as familiarity with humanitarian principles and protection approaches, including age, gender, and diversity considerations. Previous work experience in implementing protection activities, community-based protection, protection monitoring, and case management for internally displaced persons or individuals in need of international protection will be positively valued. Proficiency in data collection and protection, as well as knowledge of MS Office applications (Word, Office 365, Excel, PowerPoint), is also required. Knowledge of any relevant native languages for the area where the individual will be based will be an advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates for the Asistente de Protección position should be pursuing a degree in law, social work, social sciences, political science, or any other related field. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has a foundational understanding of the legal and social frameworks relevant to protection work and humanitarian assistance.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have some level of experience, which may include internships or volunteer work in humanitarian contexts. Experience in support functions within humanitarian settings is highly valued, particularly in complex and rapidly changing environments. Proven experience related to the specific responsibilities of the Asistente de Protección role is essential for success in this position.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is Spanish, as it is the primary language of communication in Panama. A basic knowledge of English is also required to facilitate communication with international partners and stakeholders. Knowledge of any relevant local languages will be considered an asset, as it can enhance the effectiveness of communication with the communities served.

Additional Notes:
This position is likely to be full-time, and while the specific contract duration is not mentioned, candidates should be prepared for a role that may involve working in challenging environments. The NRC is committed to recruiting both nationally and internationally, and candidates should be aware of the organization's zero-tolerance policy towards exploitation, abuse, and harassment. Compensation and benefits details are not specified in the job ad, but NRC typically offers competitive salaries and benefits packages to its employees.