Protection Manager

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 towards sustainable solutions for their future. The organization operates in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes, and in host countries, striving for responsible integration and the possibility of return for displaced individuals. DRC has grown to employ over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers, with a presence in forty countries. Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, DRC is a non-profit, politically independent, non-governmental, and non-denominational organization. The organization is guided by its vision of ensuring a dignified life for all displaced individuals, underpinned by values such as humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, and transparency.

Job Overview:
The Protection Manager role at DRC is pivotal in providing technical leadership for all aspects of the organization's protection programming in Colombia. This position involves developing and implementing the sector strategy, ensuring quality programming, and coordinating relevant projects and proposals. The Protection Manager is responsible for overseeing program tool development, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), work plans, and training for beneficiaries. Additionally, the role includes day-to-day management of the Protection Technical Unit, which encompasses supervision and capacity building. The Protection Manager will also represent DRC in various internal and external coordination forums, ensuring the visibility of DRC Colombia's protection initiatives and providing technical leadership among peer organizations. This position requires a proactive approach to addressing the evolving context affecting vulnerable populations, including host communities, internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and migrants.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Manager's duties and responsibilities include:

• Program Strategy & Development: Supporting the contextual revision and rollout of the DRC Colombia Protection Strategy, ensuring alignment with the country strategy and addressing programmatic priorities. Leading the strengthening of protection mainstreaming across all project phases. Engaging in coordination with local and international NGOs and public organizations to enhance DRC's referral and assistance networks. Contributing to the technical design and review of project proposals and reports in collaboration with various stakeholders. Leading evidence-based protection analysis to inform timely responses and advocacy actions.
• Program Quality: Collaborating with the MEAL Technical Unit to implement monitoring and evaluation approaches, providing feedback and support to staff and partners. Ensuring that protection tools and guidelines are updated and meet international standards. Supporting recruitment of qualified technical staff and representing DRC in technical working groups.
• Team Management: Managing the Protection Technical Unit, providing guidance and support through regular meetings and performance appraisals. Ensuring regular field visits and training for staff and partners.
• Coordination, Representation & Advocacy: Representing DRC at technical forums, maintaining relationships with technical leads, and advocating for DRC's protection messages in relevant coordination forums.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least five years of proven experience in international protection and/or human rights, with a successful track record in protection programming in emergency and recovery contexts. Skills in leading and building programs in high-pressure environments are essential, along with leadership and team management capabilities in multicultural settings. Experience in strategic leadership for protracted crises and developing technical tools for protection programming is required. Candidates should have a strong understanding of international protection standards and experience with project cycle management and relevant project management tools. Advanced organizational skills and integrity are also critical for this role.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree in one of the following fields is required: law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">International Law, International Development, Social Sciences, International Relations, or Human Rights. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and understanding of the complex issues surrounding protection and humanitarian work.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in international protection and human rights, particularly in emergency and early recovery contexts. Candidates should demonstrate a successful track record in protection programming and possess leadership skills to manage teams effectively in challenging environments. Experience in strategic leadership and developing technical tools for protection programming is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in both Spanish and English is mandatory for this position. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages, as this is crucial for collaboration and coordination with various stakeholders and beneficiaries. Additional language skills may be considered an advantage but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is a national contract (obra o labor) or an expatriate contract (fixed term) with a maternity leave band of F - Manager. The duty station is in Bogotá, Colombia, with a start date anticipated in April 2026, depending on the availability of funds. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Colombian laws. Applications must be submitted by March 22, 2026, at 11:59 am (GMT-time), and late applications will not be considered. Candidates are required to authorize DRC to validate the personal information provided in their CV, and strict adherence to the organization's anti-fraud policies is expected.