Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian organization that has been active in Iraq since 2003, making it one of the first NGOs to provide humanitarian assistance in the country. DRC's mission is to assist the most vulnerable displacement-affected families, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities. The organization operates in various regions across Iraq, including Basra, Baqubah, Jalawla, Gatoon, Baghdad, Muqdadiya, Balad, Aziz Balad, Samarra, Mosul, Duhok, Tel Afar, Baa’j, Sinjar, and Erbil. DRC is committed to delivering effective humanitarian aid and improving the living conditions of those affected by conflict and displacement.
Job Overview:
The Protection Specialist will play a crucial role in providing technical leadership and support to ensure the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of DRC’s programming that addresses violence against women and girls (VAWG). This position is under the direct supervision of the Area Programme Manager and technical supervision of the Protection Coordinator. The Protection Specialist will focus on enhancing case management, protection response, referral pathways, staff capacity, quality assurance, data management, and coordination. The role requires collaboration with Protection Project Managers, Protection Managers, case workers, Legal teams, MEAL, and other relevant teams to ensure that protection services are delivered safely, ethically, confidentially, and in accordance with international standards and DRC policies. Additionally, the Protection Specialist will contribute to program development, needs analysis, technical guidance, and the continuous improvement of protection services across DRC’s operational areas.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Specialist will be responsible for several key duties, including: collaborating with the Protection Coordinator to ensure that program tools, technical guidance notes, and risk mitigation measures are in place for quality implementation; developing analyses of protection needs related to VAWG and providing evidence-based recommendations for response programming; ensuring effective coaching, mentorship, and training for implementation; providing regular technical support and guidance to Area Programme Managers and Protection Team Leaders; undertaking field visits to monitor implementation quality; ensuring ethical data collection and management systems are in place; supporting team members with client and data tracking; leading the development and delivery of participatory training materials; assessing training needs within the Protection team; contributing to the development and implementation of DRC’s protection strategy; actively participating in coordination bodies and ensuring effective referral pathways; and providing context analysis and technical updates to national coordination mechanisms.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 4 years of experience in international protection programming, particularly in case management and programming addressing VAWG, preferably in conflict-affected contexts. Knowledge and experience in ethical information management, including data collection and case management data systems, are essential. Proven experience in capacity building on Psychological First Aid (PFA) and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Psychosocial Support (PSS) is required, along with experience in developing and delivering participatory training and capacity-building activities. Strong analytical, communication, representation, negotiation, advocacy, and diplomacy skills are necessary, as well as the ability to work in multicultural environments and a willingness to travel to conflict-affected areas.
Educational Background:
A university or master’s degree relevant to humanitarian work is required, preferably in law, social work, gender studies, social sciences, or humanitarian aid. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of protection issues and the humanitarian context in which DRC operates.
Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in international protection programming, with a strong emphasis on case management and addressing VAWG. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in conflict-affected areas and possess the skills necessary to navigate the challenges associated with humanitarian work in such environments.
Languages:
Fluency in Arabic and English is mandatory for this position, while knowledge of Kurdish is considered an asset. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and beneficiaries in the field.
Additional Notes:
The start date for this position is set for 15 September 2026, contingent upon the signature of the donor agreement. The contract length is for 4 months, and the salary band is classified as G- Non Management Level
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian organization that has been active in Iraq since 2003, making it one of the first NGOs to provide humanitarian assistance in the country. DRC's mission is to assist the most vulnerable displacement-affected families, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities. The organization operates in various regions across Iraq, including Basra, Baqubah, Jalawla, Gatoon, Baghdad, Muqdadiya, Balad, Aziz Balad, Samarra, Mosul, Duhok, Tel Afar, Baa’j, Sinjar, and Erbil. DRC is committed to delivering effective humanitarian aid and improving the living conditions of those affected by conflict and displacement.
Job Overview:
The Protection Specialist will play a crucial role in providing technical leadership and support to ensure the quality, consistency, and effectiveness of DRC’s programming that addresses violence against women and girls (VAWG). This position is under the direct supervision of the Area Programme Manager and technical supervision of the Protection Coordinator. The Protection Specialist will focus on enhancing case management, protection response, referral pathways, staff capacity, quality assurance, data management, and coordination. The role requires collaboration with Protection Project Managers, Protection Managers, case workers, Legal teams, MEAL, and other relevant teams to ensure that protection services are delivered safely, ethically, confidentially, and in accordance with international standards and DRC policies. Additionally, the Protection Specialist will contribute to program development, needs analysis, technical guidance, and the continuous improvement of protection services across DRC’s operational areas.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Specialist will be responsible for several key duties, including: collaborating with the Protection Coordinator to ensure that program tools, technical guidance notes, and risk mitigation measures are in place for quality implementation; developing analyses of protection needs related to VAWG and providing evidence-based recommendations for response programming; ensuring effective coaching, mentorship, and training for implementation; providing regular technical support and guidance to Area Programme Managers and Protection Team Leaders; undertaking field visits to monitor implementation quality; ensuring ethical data collection and management systems are in place; supporting team members with client and data tracking; leading the development and delivery of participatory training materials; assessing training needs within the Protection team; contributing to the development and implementation of DRC’s protection strategy; actively participating in coordination bodies and ensuring effective referral pathways; and providing context analysis and technical updates to national coordination mechanisms.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of 4 years of experience in international protection programming, particularly in case management and programming addressing VAWG, preferably in conflict-affected contexts. Knowledge and experience in ethical information management, including data collection and case management data systems, are essential. Proven experience in capacity building on Psychological First Aid (PFA) and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Psychosocial Support (PSS) is required, along with experience in developing and delivering participatory training and capacity-building activities. Strong analytical, communication, representation, negotiation, advocacy, and diplomacy skills are necessary, as well as the ability to work in multicultural environments and a willingness to travel to conflict-affected areas.
Educational Background:
A university or master’s degree relevant to humanitarian work is required, preferably in law, social work, gender studies, social sciences, or humanitarian aid. This educational background will provide the necessary foundation for understanding the complexities of protection issues and the humanitarian context in which DRC operates.
Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in international protection programming, with a strong emphasis on case management and addressing VAWG. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in conflict-affected areas and possess the skills necessary to navigate the challenges associated with humanitarian work in such environments.
Languages:
Fluency in Arabic and English is mandatory for this position, while knowledge of Kurdish is considered an asset. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and beneficiaries in the field.
Additional Notes:
The start date for this position is set for 15 September 2026, contingent upon the signature of the donor agreement. The contract length is for 4 months, and the salary band is classified as G- Non Management Level
- Employees will receive comprehensive health insurance for themselves, their spouse, and up to two children under 18, as well as personal accident insurance coverage for work-related incidents. DRC also offers psychosocial support for staff and their family members, along with learning and development opportunities for professional growth. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff. Applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV in English, with applications sent via email not being considered. The closing date for applications is 10 September 2026, and due to the urgency of recruitment, DRC reserves the right to review applications and conduct interviews on a rolling basis, potentially filling the vacancy before the closing date.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.