Protection Assistant - Community-Based Protection

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental and non-profit organization founded in 195

• It operates in more than 35 countries worldwide and is one of the largest protection actors in Kenya. DRC focuses on improving the protective environment for refugees and host communities, implementing programs related to Protection monitoring, Child Protection, and GBV prevention and response. The organization aims to address protection issues faced by displaced and non-displaced at-risk groups and individuals, while also facilitating durable solutions and humanitarian disarmament and peace-building activities to respond to the needs of communities affected by acute crises and protracted displacement situations.

Job Overview:
The Protection Assistant will work under the supervision of the Protection Officer-Community-Based Protection and will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation and coordination of GBV prevention activities, disability inclusion, and youth-related activities within the camps. The role involves collaborating with the Protection Officer and community workers to undertake various prevention-related activities, including training, awareness-building, and capacity development for local partners. The Protection Assistant will liaise closely with other protection teams, GBV response teams, child protection teams, and MEAL staff to ensure the inclusive delivery of quality protection services in accordance with donor requirements. This position is crucial for enhancing community engagement and ownership of protection work, as well as ensuring that survivors receive adequate support at the community level.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Assistant will mobilize and actively participate in meetings with community leaders, GBV support groups, and other stakeholders to promote awareness and dialogue. They will work with team members to strengthen existing referral systems and networks for SGBV prevention and interventions. The role includes referring all GBV-related cases to the response team and other agencies, conducting training sessions for community and agency staff on GBV issues, and maintaining networks with service providers at the camp level. The Protection Assistant will implement prevention activities within the refugee and host community, use data collection tools to draft and submit reports, coordinate with various organizations, form support groups, and disseminate relevant information during community forums. They will also support commemorations related to disability and youth, plan youth engagement activities, and document lessons learned and success stories for continuous improvement of GBV interventions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a minimum of 2 years of work experience in capacity building, community mobilization, and working with community structures and stakeholders. They should possess knowledge and experience with community models and approaches such as EMAP and SASA, and be conversant with providing psychosocial counseling in a refugee context. The ideal candidate should have experience in partnership engagement and capacity development, be able to mainstream Persons with Specific Needs (PSN) issues within GBV programming, and demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills. A good team player who can take direction and work collaboratively with others is essential.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or another Social Science-related field is required for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively engage with the community and address the protection needs of vulnerable populations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience, particularly in capacity building, community mobilization, and collaboration with community structures and stakeholders. Experience in providing psychosocial support and working within a refugee context is highly valued, as is familiarity with community engagement models and approaches.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and fluency in Somali is also required. These language skills are essential for effective communication with community members and stakeholders in the refugee camps.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is for 4 months with the possibility of extension. The position is based at the DRC Dadaab Office in the Dadaab refugee camp. The salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment. Applications must be submitted in English and include a letter of application and CV, with a deadline for submission by 7th August 202

• DRC is committed to gender equality and encourages female candidates and those from minority groups to apply. The organization values diversity and aims to create an inclusive environment based on mutual respect. DRC conducts thorough background checks as part of the recruitment process to ensure the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.