Protection Officer – Child Protection

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, dedicated to helping refugees and displaced persons. Established in 1956, DRC operates in multiple countries around the globe, providing assistance in various humanitarian crises. The organization focuses on delivering impactful solutions in challenging environments, with a mission to protect the rights of displaced people and support them in rebuilding their lives. DRC employs thousands of staff members and collaborates with numerous partners to ensure effective humanitarian responses.

Job Overview:
The Protection Officer – Child Protection will be responsible for leading the planning, implementation, supervision, and monitoring of Child Protection (CP) activities within the Mobile Response Team (MRT). This role is crucial in emergency child protection case management and involves strengthening community-based child protection mechanisms. The officer will work on identifying and referring at-risk children, including unaccompanied and separated children, and will play a vital role in mitigating child protection risks. The position requires conducting rapid protection assessments and coordinating with humanitarian actors in newly affected or hard-to-reach areas. The Protection Officer will ensure adherence to child safeguarding principles and the DRC Code of Conduct throughout all interventions, working across South Sudan in areas affected by conflict and natural disasters.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Officer will lead the implementation of emergency Child Protection activities within the Mobile Response Team across hard-to-reach and shock-affected locations. Responsibilities include providing direct Child Protection Case Management for complex and high-risk cases, ensuring compliance with inter-agency standards and DRC SOPs. The officer will serve as the technical focal point, providing supervision, mentoring, and quality assurance to CP Case Workers/Assistants. They will ensure safe identification, assessment, documentation, and follow-up of children at risk, including unaccompanied and separated children. The officer will support alternative care arrangements, family tracing, and reunification processes, and strengthen community-based child protection mechanisms. Conducting rapid protection assessments, safety audits, and community mapping will also be part of the role, along with updating referral pathways and coordinating with various partners to ensure timely services for children. Additionally, the officer will develop child protection tools and provide capacity building to case workers and community structures.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a minimum of 2 years of experience in Child Protection programming in humanitarian or emergency contexts. Experience in emergency case management and working in hard-to-reach areas in South Sudan is strongly preferred. Knowledge of inter-agency Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS) and Best Interest Procedures (BIA/BID) is essential. Familiarity with family tracing and reunification processes is an asset. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of child safeguarding principles and IASC guidance on mental health and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support services in humanitarian settings. Strong reporting and documentation skills, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, are required. A commitment to child rights and humanitarian principles is crucial, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Educational Background:
A university degree in Social Work, Social Sciences, Psychology, Law, Development Studies, Child Protection, or a relevant field is required. Additional certification or formal training in Child Protection Case Management or Best Interest Procedures (BIA/BID) is considered an asset.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in Child Protection programming, particularly in humanitarian or emergency contexts. Experience in emergency case management and working in challenging environments, especially in South Sudan, is highly preferred. Candidates should have a demonstrated understanding of child protection standards and practices.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is mandatory. Knowledge of local languages is considered an advantage, enhancing communication and engagement with the community.

Additional Notes:
The contract length for this position is 6 months, with a band classification of H

• The work location is Baliet, which is not relocatable. The expected start date is 1 April 2026, subject to funding approval. The position requires a commitment to DRC’s five core competencies, including striving for excellence, collaborating with relevant parties, taking the lead in initiatives, effective communication, and demonstrating integrity in all actions.