Protection Assistant (Youth)

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 8,000 employees and also 8,000 volunteers, while managing a turnover of over 400 million Euro. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, nongovernmental and non-denominational relief organization. The Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest humanitarian NGO and has been ranked the 3rd best NGO in the world in 2018 (for the six consecutive years, the organization is among the top five of the NGO Advisor Annual List).

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

1.       Background

DRC has been operating in Greece since December 2015, providing support to the Greek Ministry of Migration Policy in ensuring dignified reception conditions for refugees and migrants arriving on Lesvos island. In March 2016, DRC expanded its operations in Athens, in response to the changing context and the build-up of refugee population on mainland Greece.

2.       Purpose

DRC Greece is looking to recruit a qualified, flexible and enthusiastic professional to work for its office in Larissa as a Protection Assistant.  The Protection Assistant, in coordination and cooperation with the Protection Monitoring Team, Child-Friendly Space (CFS)/Women Safe Space (WSS)/Youth team, the Legal Aid team, Roving Cultural Mediators (RCM), and supervised by the CFS/WSS/Youth Team Leader and the Field Protection Manager, is expected to contribute to the protection activities. Furthermore, the Protection Assistant will develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern (PoC), relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of DRC’s Protection activities.

3.       Duties & Responsibilities

The Protection Assistant (Youth) responsibilities will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:

• Take a lead in the direct implementation of the youth activities through life-skills and resilience building, music and visual arts activities and organising tournaments and community feedback meetings.
• Identify and promote culturally appropriate/relevant interventions geared towards improved physical and reproductive health, social skills (conflict resolution, problem solving, empathy and relationship building) and self-sufficiency of target beneficiaries.
• Support in the identification of extremely vulnerable adolescent and youths for appropriate referral to other actors for services.
• Conduct comprehensive report and documentation of lessons learnt and best practices to achieve project goals and activities.
• Report general protection issues present in the Youth Safe Space to her/his supervisor.
• Report any major issues to the protection management.
• Collaborate with DRC colleagues to resolve problems and issues as they arise.
• Ensure the observance of the DRC Code of Conduct throughout activity implementation.
• Protection monitoring, data collection and document the needs of persons of concern.
• Participating in (joint) assessments, identifying protection concerns and reporting for follow-up.
• Identify vulnerable individuals and facilitate appropriate action, including referrals to specialized services and protective accompaniment as necessary.
• Provide appropriate and relevant information to asylum seekers and refugees regarding their rights and services available to them.
• Participate in awareness raising sessions and information campaigns for persons of concern.
• Participate in population profiling and verification exercises to ensure adequate and relevant data collection.
• Encourage, support and monitor community-based protection networks on sites, through among other, collaboration in the context of activities organized jointly with Site Management Support (SMS).
• Draft protection monitoring reports and/or activities’ reports, provide inputs in designing protection monitoring tools and formats.
• Provide inputs on case studies, best practices and lessons learned from each of the activities implemented.
• Mainstreaming protection in all activities on sites by ensuring protection in distribution activities (i.e. vulnerable individuals are fast tracked in distributions.)
• Provide translation/interpretation as necessary.
• Planning and conducting Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) as facilitator and/or note taker and drafting the relevant reports.
• Ensure timely submission of weekly and monthly reports.
• Ensure that correct procedures are followed when responsible for any focal points.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Field Protection Manager, relevant to the achievement of Protection objectives.
• Report any major issues to the protection management.
• Collaborate with DRC colleagues to resolve problems and issues as they arise.
• Ensure the observance of the DRC Code of Conduct throughout activity implementation.

4.       Required Qualifications

• University Degree in Refugee and Migration Studies, Psychology, Social Science, Social Work, Human Rights, Gender Studies or a related field is preferred.
• Strong verbal and written English skills.
• Working knowledge of any of the following languages: Arabic, Kurdish (Sorani, Kurmanji), Farsi/Dari is mandatory.
• French, Pasthu and Urdu is a strong advantage.
• Arabic and/or French language skills are strong assets.
• Previous experience working with refugees, migrants and asylum seekers is necessary.
• At least one year working experience in a related field; previous working experience with local or international NGOs will be considered as a strong advantage.
• Experience of community-based or community mobilisation work in a humanitarian context is a strong advantage.
• Strong computer skills.
• High professional ethics.
• Strong computer skills

5.       Required Skills & Qualities

6.

 Terms & Conditions

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. However, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot systemically sponsor non-EU citizen or non-Greek resident for all the steps of legal process to get a work permit and/or a residency permit in Greece.

Applications close on the 31^st of May 2019. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.