Protection Team Leader

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization founded in Denmark in 195

• With a mission to assist refugees and internally displaced persons globally, DRC provides emergency aid, advocates for their rights, and works to strengthen their opportunities for a better future. The organization has grown significantly over the years, employing more than 7,000 staff and engaging around 8,000 volunteers. DRC operates in various conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes, and in countries where refugees settle, striving for responsible and sustainable solutions. Their vision is to ensure a dignified life for all displaced individuals, guided by core values such as humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency. DRC has been active in Syria since 2008, initially responding to the Iraqi refugee crisis and later expanding its efforts to address the ongoing Syria crisis from 2011 onwards. The organization employs an area-based approach to support internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities across key sectors including Economic Recovery and Resilience, Protection, WASH, Shelter and Infrastructure, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding. DRC Syria is equipped with a rapid response mechanism to address emerging crises and has established programs aimed at fostering resilience in communities affected by protracted displacement and post-conflict recovery. Additionally, DRC maintains active portfolios in neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye, and Iraq, facilitating a cross-border response to the Syria crisis through protection monitoring, advocacy, and trend analysis.

Job Overview:
The Protection Team Leader will operate under the direct management of the DRC Syria Area Manager and the technical supervision of the DRC Syria Protection Manager. This role is pivotal in ensuring the high-quality implementation of ongoing protection activities and involves direct line management of Protection Field Assistants in Daraa. The Protection Team Leader is expected to oversee the execution of protection activities in alignment with DRC guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This includes supporting the recruitment of protection field staff, managing internal staffing issues, and ensuring the timely implementation of project work plans. The role also entails maintaining financial oversight of protection budget lines, ensuring proper tracking of purchase requisitions and payment requests, and maintaining records of protection activities while adhering to confidentiality and data protection standards. The Protection Team Leader will also be responsible for liaising with relevant authorities and community groups to foster positive relationships and facilitate the prioritization of safety and well-being for crisis-affected individuals and communities. Regular internal reporting and data provision for new proposal development are also key components of this role, along with conducting duties in accordance with DRC's Code of Conduct and maintaining the organization's positive reputation within communities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Team Leader will be responsible for the following duties:

• Ensure high-quality and timely implementation of protection activities within assigned projects, adhering to DRC guidelines and SOPs.
• Support the recruitment process for protection field staff and provide line management to Protection Field Assistants, including technical support and oversight.
• Manage internal staffing issues, including attendance monitoring, leave plans, and performance appraisals in coordination with the line manager.
• Prepare, implement, and regularly report on the status of project work plans, updating the project indicator tracker as necessary.
• Maintain financial oversight of all protection budget lines assigned by the line manager, ensuring proper tracking of purchase requisitions and payment requests.
• Keep accurate records of protection activities in line with DRC SOPs, ensuring confidentiality and adherence to data protection standards.
• Support the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan in collaboration with the DRC M&E team.
• Liaise with relevant authorities, stakeholders, and community groups to foster positive relationships and facilitate community ownership of safety and well-being initiatives.
• Provide regular internal reports and relevant information on project activities and external meetings based on agreed formats and schedules. 1
• Contribute inputs and data from field implementation for new proposal development. 1
• Conduct all duties in accordance with DRC's Code of Conduct and SOPs, ensuring transparency and maintaining DRC's positive reputation within communities. 1
• Carry out any other relevant duties as assigned by the line manager.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Protection Team Leader position should possess the following qualifications:

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience, particularly in the UN or NGO sectors.
• Familiarity or prior experience with DRC and its persons of concern, including internally displaced persons, returnees, and refugees, is highly advantageous.
• Proven leadership qualities with experience in managing a team, including decision-making capabilities.
• Familiarity with international protection and human rights legal standards, as well as knowledge of child protection and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support programming.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills, along with strong analytical capabilities.
• Exceptional organizational and planning skills, with a commitment to punctuality and adherence to applicable rules and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal skills and respect for individuals from diverse communities, including those with special needs and vulnerabilities.
• A demonstrated understanding of local communities and customary rules, with experience in successful community engagement.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaboratively as part of a team, demonstrating self-motivation and a goal/result-oriented approach. 1
• Ethical and transparent decision-making, with full respect for confidentiality regarding work-related information and data. 1
• Flexibility, creativity, tolerance, and maturity in handling various situations. 1
• Proficiency in spoken and written English and Arabic, along with relevant computer skills, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and internet proficiency.

Educational Background:
Candidates should possess a university degree in social sciences, psychology, or a related field. An advanced university degree would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires relevant professional experience of no less than 3 years, particularly in the UN or NGO sectors. Experience working with DRC and its target populations, including internally displaced persons, returnees, and refugees, is highly valued. The candidate should also have experience managing a team and demonstrating leadership qualities, including effective decision-making skills. Familiarity with international protection and human rights legal standards, as well as child protection and psychosocial support programming, is essential.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are strong spoken and written English and fluent spoken and written Arabic. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication and reporting within the role.

Additional Notes:
The contract length for this position is until 30 June 2026, with the possibility of extension based on performance and available funding. The position is classified at the Management G level, and the location is in Syria, specifically in Daraa. The expected start date is as soon as possible. Interested candidates are required to submit a cover letter and an updated CV, with the latter not exceeding four pages. Both documents must be in the same language as the vacancy note, and applications consisting solely of CVs will not be considered. The application process closes on 03 February 2026.