Protection Officer

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

• It assists refugees and internally displaced persons globally by providing emergency aid, advocating for their rights, and enhancing their opportunities for a better future. The organization operates in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes, and in countries where refugees settle. DRC collaborates with local communities to pursue responsible and sustainable solutions, aiming for successful integration and, when possible, facilitating the return of displaced individuals to their homes. With over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers, DRC's vision is to ensure a dignified life for all displaced persons, guided by core values of humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency.

Job Overview:
The Protection Officer role is crucial for the Danish Refugee Council's mission to support vulnerable individuals in conflict-affected areas. This position involves conducting ethical and safe interviews with community members, ensuring diverse representation in data collection. The officer will assist at-risk individuals through referrals and will be proactive in identifying and reporting emerging trends of violations within communities. The role requires managing day-to-day casework activities, including scheduling, caseload management, and adherence to DRC's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The Protection Officer will work closely with the Protection Team Leader and Protection Manager, integrating efforts with economic recovery and emergency teams, and collaborating with local authorities and communities. The position demands a commitment to maintaining high professional standards and confidentiality while providing direct client services and managing complex cases effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Officer will be responsible for a variety of tasks under the supervision of the Protection Team Leader and Protection Manager. Key responsibilities include: providing direct client services within the case management program; managing a caseload of both routine and complex cases; accurately entering data into Activity Info and ensuring timely updates; conducting interviews with individuals identified during outreach or referred by other agencies; performing comprehensive protection risk assessments; developing tailored case plans based on client needs; closing cases when objectives are met; preparing procurement and administrative documents for case management; maintaining professional conduct and ensuring client safety; liaising with protection coordinators for technical support; assisting in onboarding and training new staff; conducting quality checks on case files; ensuring data protection and confidentiality; briefing management on casework progress; coordinating with stakeholders at the district and community levels; preparing distribution points; and supporting referral focal points in service mapping and quality checks.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong commitment to protecting human rights and demonstrate solid organizational skills. They should be able to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, and work effectively under pressure. A high level of professionalism and integrity is essential, along with the ability to maintain confidentiality. Experience in conducting qualitative interviews is advantageous, as is familiarity with data management tools such as KOBO. Candidates should be proactive problem-solvers with good communication skills in English, Dari, and Pashto, and a willingness to travel to field locations as required.

Educational Background:
A degree from a well-recognized university in relevant fields such as law, political science, research methods, social work, psychology, or other related disciplines is required for this position. Relevant certifications or licenses may also be beneficial.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have 2-3 years of experience in protection case management, preferably with international NGOs, local NGOs, or UN agencies. Experience in managing data and familiarity with online data collection tools is also important. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to work independently, make rapid assessments, and exercise sound judgment in complex situations.

Languages:
Fluency in Dari and Pashto is mandatory, with working proficiency in English. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in all three languages, with a strong emphasis on Dari and Pashto for client interactions.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and may require fieldwork in various locations covered by DRC. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the DRC salary scale. Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and an updated CV, both in the same language, with the CV not exceeding four pages.