Protection Officer-Caseworker

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, dedicated to helping displaced people and communities affected by conflict and disaster. Established in 1956, DRC operates in multiple countries across the globe, providing assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable populations. The organization focuses on various sectors, including protection, livelihoods, and emergency response, and employs thousands of staff members worldwide, working collaboratively with local and international partners to deliver effective humanitarian aid.

Job Overview:
The Protection Officer – GBV Caseworker will play a crucial role in the field-level implementation of the Protection component in Ceel Buur, focusing on delivering confidential, survivor-centered Gender-Based Violence (GBV) case management. This position entails supporting Protection Monitoring, referral systems, community-based Protection initiatives, safety audits, and the mainstreaming of Protection principles. The Officer will act as the primary field-level Protection focal point for the SHF area-based response, providing technical guidance to the General Protection Assistant and community outreach structures. The role requires close coordination with relevant service providers and humanitarian actors to ensure effective case management and support for survivors of GBV. The Officer will also be responsible for identifying and referring other Protection concerns in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and staff competencies, ensuring that all actions are taken with the utmost care for the safety and confidentiality of survivors.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The main duties and responsibilities of the Protection Officer-Caseworker include:

• GBV Case Management: Provide direct, confidential, and survivor-centered GBV case management in accordance with DRC SOPs and inter-agency standards. This includes conducting intake assessments, obtaining informed consent, developing safety plans, creating case action plans, making referrals, following up on cases, and ensuring proper case closure.
• Manage complex or high-risk GBV cases independently while receiving regular technical supervision. Provide first-line emotional support and facilitate timely access to health, legal, and other specialized services.
• Maintain appropriate caseload prioritization and ensure timely escalation of urgent ethical, safety, or service-access concerns to the Country GBV Coordinator.
• Participate in case review and case-file audits, implementing agreed quality-improvement actions.
• Assess Protection barriers requiring Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) and prepare necessary documentation for case-based requests.
• Lead the maintenance of verified GBV and multi-sector referral pathways and support the implementation of the Referral Management System (RMS).
• Conduct Protection Monitoring in assigned locations, ensuring safe data collection and utilizing anonymized findings for program adaptation.
• Support community-based Protection mechanisms and provide guidance on safe identification, referral boundaries, and confidentiality.
• Maintain accurate and secure GBV case files and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to inform broader implementation and corrective actions. 1
• Contribute to workplans and donor reporting using aggregated, non-identifying information.

Required Qualifications:
To be considered for this position, candidates must possess the following qualifications:

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant Protection experience, with at least 2 years of recent hands-on GBV case management experience in humanitarian, displacement, or conflict-affected settings.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage the full GBV case-management cycle, including informed consent, risk/safety assessment, case planning, referrals, follow-up, and closure.
• Strong technical understanding of GBV guiding principles, survivor-centered practice, and relevant referral pathways.
• Experience in broader Protection programming, including Protection Monitoring, referral systems, and community-based Protection.
• Strong documentation, analysis, judgment, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work autonomously in challenging environments.

Educational Background:
Candidates should have a relevant educational background, typically including a degree in social work, psychology, international relations, or a related field. Additional training or certifications in GBV case management, protection principles, or humanitarian response will be considered an asset.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in Protection, with a strong focus on GBV case management. Experience in humanitarian settings, particularly in conflict-affected areas, is essential. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of managing complex cases and working collaboratively with various stakeholders.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, both written and spoken. Knowledge of Somali is highly desirable, as it will facilitate communication with local communities and stakeholders. Additional languages relevant to the region may also be beneficial.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered on a 6-month contract with the possibility of extension. The role is classified under Band H2, and the work location is primarily in Dhuusamareeb, Somalia, with frequent travel to Ceel Buur and surrounding project locations. The start date for this position is September 202

• The salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national contracts. All applicants must submit a cover letter and an updated CV in English, and applications sent via email will not be considered. This position is open to female candidates only, and qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.