• Country: Akobo, South Sudan
• No of vacancies: N/A
  
• Salary: N/A 
• Organization: DRC
• Gender: Both
• Deadline:  2024-02-09

Overall purpose of the role

The Protection Specialist will assist the Project Manager in leading her/his team in information gathering, trainings and assessments. His/her role will be to conduct rapid protection assessments and response activities in crisis-affected areas. During assessment and monitoring missions, the Protection Specialist will assess the protection concerns and needs of the affected population by gathering information through activities such as focus group discussions and key informant interviews with stakeholders. The Protection Specialist will contribute to the analysis of data collected in order to identify protection concerns and advocate for appropriate responses. Additionally, the Protection Specialist will plan and execute response activities before and during triggering on anticipatory action, such as providing Individual Protection Assistance, support to Persons with Specific Needs, conducting referrals to the relevant actors and delivering training and awareness sessions for community leaders on human rights and basic protection principles. The Protection Specialist will throughout her/his work ensure adherence to the Humanitarian Principles, Protection Principles, confidentiality, do-no-harm and strictly adhere to the Code of Conduct.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and support the project team during all activities with the support and guidance of the Protection Coordinator and Project Manager
• Support to all project teams on conflict sensitivity analysis and decision-making processes, including development of tools, facilitation of trainings/workshops, technical support on programming decisions
• Conduct context and conflict analysis for and with field teams, and identify (potential) conflict sensitivity challenges and opportunities
• Gather information concerning security, local context, access, needs etc. in locations of interest to the Emergency Team
• Organize field missions e.g. by drafting mission safety plans, mission terms of reference, manage logistics and coordinate with stakeholders at the field level etc.
• Support in the development of training materials and guidance documents for general protection activities.
• Work with the project manager, protection coordinator and fellow officers to create weekly workplans to schedule the teams program activities in Akobo and field.
• Examine the perceptions and attitudes of key project partners and targeted communities toward the project activities.
• Identify major types and causes of conflicts in the project intervention areas and anticipated implications on the project activities.
• Assist the Project Manager in building the capacity of the project team
• During response missions, facilitate awareness raising sessions and activities in the field, disseminating information about policies, laws and entitlements relevant to the population of concern and as appropriate in each context
• Prepare all necessary documentation for each activity (including TORs, Purchase Requests, budgets etc.)
• Compile field mission reports in a timely manner
• Facilitate reflections with field teams on potential protection challenges and opportunities
• Liaise and build partnerships with local authorities, chiefs and other relevant stakeholders in the project locations
• Assist in the collection and analysis of data, policies, laws and entitlements relevant to the affected population
• Participate in coordination meetings as requested by Project Manager
• Perform any other duties as requested by the Project Manager
• Act as the focal point for all protection programme liaisons with other DRC sectors and external partners, to facilitate multi-sectoral support to beneficiaries.

PSEA and AGD

• Foster a working environment that promotes the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of all persons of concern that DRC serves as well as DRC.
• Engage in PSEA initiatives such as trainings and promote the prevention of SEA including through understanding and utilizing as appropriate PSEA reporting mechanisms.
• Uphold DRC commitment to Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse commitment to promoting AGD

• Include statements which refer to AGD in work collaborations and reporting

Experience and Technical competencies:

• Higher Diploma or Degree in Social Sciences, Law, or related field
• At least 3 years’ field experience in South Sudan, involving Protection, Human Rights, Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence and/or Child Protection or related field
• Demonstrated experience ensuring conflict-sensitive programming at the programme implementation level
• Extensive understanding of working on issues related to conflict sensitivity, community-based approaches, awareness-raising, and development of policy recommendations
• Comprehensive understanding of human rights and protection principles
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Email application software
• Fluency in English and Arabic required
• Commitment to human rights and protection principles
• Strong organizational skills
• Familiarity with customary laws, judiciary systems and legal developments and issues in South Sudan

Education: 

• Excellent interpersonal skills – works well with people of different cultures, gender and backgrounds
• Works respectfully and collaboratively with colleagues to achieve results as a team
• Remains productive when under pressure, with the ability to prioritize effectively, and respects and adheres to deadlines
• Able to work in a variety of environments and prepared to conduct field missions for a minimum of one-week duration to remote locations with few amenities
• Experience in conducting trainings and awareness sessions in field settings
• A team player – able to demonstrate a constructive, cooperative and problem-solving approach
• Experience in working in complex and politically-sensitive contexts
• Positive attitude

Languages:

• Fluent knowledge of English (verbal and written)
• Basic Arabic language is an added advantage

Safeguarding:

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

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