Protection Specialist

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 displaced persons globally, DRC provides emergency aid, advocates for rights, and works towards sustainable solutions for vulnerable communities. The organization has grown to employ over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers, operating in 40 countries. Headquartered in Copenhagen, DRC is a non-governmental, non-profit, politically neutral, independent, and non-denominational entity. Its vision is to ensure a life with dignity for all displaced individuals, guided by principles of humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency.

Job Overview:
The Protection Specialist will play a crucial role in developing and implementing DRC's protection strategy in the Northwest region of Cameroon. Reporting directly to the Emergency Response Manager NW, the specialist will be responsible for strengthening the capacity of local partners in protection activities under the Localized RRM project. This includes harmonizing tools, guidelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs), enhancing referral pathways, and ensuring compliance with donor reporting and data analysis methods in collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) team. The role requires a proactive approach to project initiation, implementation, closure, evaluation, and learning, ensuring that all protection activities are effectively managed and documented.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Specialist's responsibilities include:

• Project Initiation: Develop a comprehensive Protection plan detailing all activities, methodologies, timelines, responsibilities, and budget requirements. Conduct project kick-off meetings to clarify protection commitments and expectations.
• Project Implementation: Coordinate with partners for timely updates on Indicator Trackers, participate in project management meetings, and ensure data quality checks are conducted regularly.
• Day-to-Day Coaching: Provide on-the-ground support and mentoring to partners, identifying challenges and areas for improvement.
• Project Closure: Ensure all deliverables are met by project closure, centralizing and archiving all datasets and documentation for compliance.
• Evaluation & Learning: Facilitate project evaluations and learning events, ensuring best practices are documented and accessible.
• Needs Assessment: Oversee the needs assessment process, ensuring quality assurance and relevant protection indicators are included.
• Project Design: Contribute to the Theory of Change, identify indicators, and draft technical activity designs and budgets.
• Technical Oversight: Monitor the humanitarian situation, report protection concerns, and support regular reporting on protection activities.
• Partnerships: Assess partner capacities, develop training plans, and ensure compliance with donor and DRC standards. 1
• Communication: Ensure partners communicate project conclusions and transitions to the communities served.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a proven experience of at least 4 years in protection and management of protection programs, including legal assistance, mental health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support (MHPSS), case management, and protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in conflict-affected areas. Prior experience in implementing legal assistance and MHPSS at the community level is required, with a strong preference for candidates with experience in gender-based violence (GBV) case management. Candidates should possess significant knowledge of international humanitarian and human rights laws, experience in report writing and data analysis, and strong information management skills. Excellent analytical, communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills are essential, along with the ability to work in multicultural environments and travel to conflict-affected areas.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in political science, humanitarian or development studies, MHPSS, legal assistance, gender/protection, or a related field is required. Additional professional training relevant to protection is also necessary.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in protection and management of protection programs, with a focus on legal assistance, MHPSS, and case management in conflict-affected settings. Experience in GBV case management is strongly preferred, along with a background in providing technical guidance and capacity building.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Fluency in written and spoken French is desirable, and knowledge of the local language is required.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time, and the application process requires candidates to apply online via the DRC website. Applications must include a CV (maximum 3 pages) and a cover letter in either French or English. The deadline for applications is March 16, 2026, at 23:5

• DRC promotes equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination based on various factors. The organization may begin the recruitment process before the application deadline if suitable candidates are identified.