Protection Manager at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a Danish international non-governmental organisation, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world. DRC is present in more than 30 conflict territories around the world assisting displaced people with shelter, food, income-generating activities, and a wide range of other assistance. It is of utmost importance for DRC to work in compliance with the DRC Accountability and Quality Management system and national legislations. Smooth, reliable and effective operational systems are preconditions for DRC to maintain its position as a trustworthy and reliable partner for our donors and an accountable organisation towards our beneficiaries.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Protection Manager

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Type of Contract: National Contract
Employment Period: 12 months
Supervised by: Protection Coordinator
Reporting to: Area Manager, Borno
Start Date: 01 August, 2023
Level: NM-H

Background

• Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015.
• DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally.
• Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria.

Purpose

• Under the authority of the Area Manager and with the close technical supervision of the Protection Coordinator, the Protection Manager contributes to updating and applying the area office strategic protection and advocacy vision and is responsible to ensure that protection interventions are implemented according to quality standards and are adapted to the emergency context.
• The role ensures successful delivery of protection projects in the target areas of Borno. Additionally, this position will be responsible for capacity development of staff, volunteers, incentive workers, stakeholder management, partner management and ensure an integrated implementation is undertaken within the laid down guidelines.

Key Responsibilities
Protection analysis, strategy planning and design:

• Ensure that protection data is collected, stored and shared according to the principles and procedures contained in the DRC Data Protection Protocol and applicable data protection principles, and identify sensitive data in the Nigerian context.
• Assess protection risks and trends, identify problems/gaps and propose/prioritise timely practical actions to respond to clearly-formulated protection problems.
• With the support of the Area Manager and of the Protection Coordinator, contribute to the elaboration of area-based strategic documents on protection, and revise the protection plans as required by the operational context.
• Develop and implement an appropriate and effective protection strategy in consultation with Protection Coordinator, other protection staff and area manager.

Project Implementation:

• Ensure that Protection programmes meet stated objectives and indicators within agreed timeframes
• Systematically and closely monitor the delivery and expenditure rates of ongoing protection programmes, promptly identifying and correcting under-delivery issues and deviations from workplans
• Oversee program performance, budget control, expenditures, procurement, and overall project cycle management as per contractual obligations, timelines, and donor compliance in coordination with Area Manager
• Conduct regular field visits to identify and address programme quality concerns and gain a solid first-hand understanding of protection risks and trends at the community level
• Support planning and provide technical expertise on protection project activities, making sure that activities are properly integrated and coordinated with the other components of the project.
• Regularly update the DRC’s Project Management Tool (PMT)  including activity implementation plan, forecast spending plan, monitoring protection sector budget expenditure and take timely action to meet the project objectives within the approved budgets and time frame.
• Ensure that protection activities are designed and implemented according to agreed DRC standards as may be highlighted by recognized standards and policies.
• Support, facilitate or undertake communication and liaison activities to actively consult and involve beneficiaries, key informants, actors, partners, and stakeholders in all stages of project design and implementation.
• Maintain constructive relationships with key stakeholders and represent DRC in different working groups and NGO coordination meetings in country as assigned by Area Manager.
• Establish and maintain constructive working relations with other NGOs, UN agencies, Government departments in diverse forums.
• Represent DRC in the occasions of protection Sector Coordination Meetings in Borno state.
• Development of protection monthly, weekly workplans and execution for the staff 
• Ensure beneficiary participation and accountability mechanisms in all aspects of the project.
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned by the line manager.

Capacity Building and Quality Assurance:

• Develop staff capacities on the human rights-based approach, protection assessments, protection monitoring, case management (CP, GBV), referral systems and protection mainstreaming through regular training and refreshers, mentoring and coaching;
• Develop the capacities of duty bearers and external stakeholders on protection
• Provide technical support, advice and backstop on protection to Area Manager and protection field staff to ensure quality delivery on ongoing protection projects;
• Ensure that the implementation of protection activities address protection needs of internally displaced people, vulnerable populations, and affected populations, and are adapted and relevant to the emergency context of north-eastern Nigeria;
• Establish and reinforce referral systems and pathways for protection cases.
• Ensure that quality assurance systems are applied, with particular reference to upholding CHS (Core Humanitarian Standards) and Age Gender and diversity throughout the protection programme
• Ensure that DRC Protection programmes in Borno are implemented in accordance with donors’ regulations and with DRC standard procedures (Code of Conduct, DRC Response Framework, DRC Programme Handbook), and are consistent with the area strategic programme document and protection strategy.

Project Monitoring and Reporting:

• Produce protection reports of high analytical quality, with concrete and actionable protection recommendations.
• In consultation with MEAL unit, regularly update protection sector monthly Dashboard and DRC PMT tool.
• In collaboration with the MEAL team, analyze and report on relevance, outcomes and impact of DRC protection-related activities to provide lessons learnt and to identify best practices
• Supervise protection activities in strict adherence to DRC regulations, the donor’s guidelines, and the humanitarian standards.
• Support in developing and implementing the project monitoring and evaluation plan, and timely submission of reports and other document requirements.
• Provide feedback on project implementation modality, assist in achieving maximum efficiency in project delivery, and inform the development/update of DRC’s protection strategy in Nigeria.
• Undertake regular participatory monitoring and verification visits to ensure adequate progress against action plans, outputs and ensuring that quality elements are signed off. Provide advice on any corrective action necessary.
• Ensure timely delivery of projects activities including payments to suppliers and contractors.
• Ensure that project log frame, risk matrix, detailed project implementation plan and financial forecasts in place in PMT tool.

Staff Management:

• Provide mentorship and technical supervision for protection staff including day-to-day management, development and training, appraisals, etc.
• Review job descriptions and participate in the recruitment process of protection staff.
• Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing between project staff, to ensure all staff members are aware of project objectives, progress, current work plans and to provide the opportunity for feedback.
• Assess the training needs of protection staff and ensure that appropriate training is provided/conducted.

Coordination and Advocacy:

• Build effective coordination and synergies with the Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding teams working on Mine Risk Education and Armed Violence Reduction
• Ensure coordination and harmonisation of DRC protection related activities - externally with other agencies and partners in Borno
• Actively represent the DRC at the Protection Sector Working Group (PSWG), Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), Child Protection Working Group (CPWG) and other relevant coordination structures and protection actors (including UN agencies, ICRC and MSF), seeking to develop coordinated protection approaches and responses.
• Facilitate reporting and information management (data collection, analysis, storage, sharing) through protection sector and other coordination mechanisms back to DRC management - provide and collect information to inform the whole response

Fundraising:

• Contribute to DRC Borno fundraising by actively engaging in developing and drafting new proposals for protection sector in consultation with the relevant managers and protection Coordinator.
• The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Job Requirements
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree, Master's Degree (e.g. political science, Law, International Development, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Public Health, relevant Social Sciences) and several years of experience in the sector.

Experience and Technical Competencies:
Essential:

• Minimum of 4 years of practical experience in protection sector area (general protection, PSS, GVB, Child protection, protection advocacy, etc.) working for an INGO.
• At least 2 years experience with people management.
• Proven experience and  skills in project planning and design, drafting proposals and donor reports, calculation and technical writing.
• Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience in project development and project cycle management.
• Experience working with national partners, local/government authorities, and UN organizations.
• Possess strong analytical, communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills;
• Effective multitasking skills with ability to coordinate and handle pressure/stress well.
• Flexible, able to live and work in a stressful and insecure environment.
• Excellent computer skills in MS Word & Excel

Desirable:

• Flexible & willing to work in a remote setting & to travel to other field locations.
• Experience working in an (I)NGO
• Excellent organizational skills, self-motivated, proactive and able to accomplish set deadlines.
• Willing to meet deadlines with minimum supervision.

Languages:

• Full professional proficiency in English
• Knowledge of Hausa, Kanuri, Burra and other languages native to Northeast Nigeria is an asset but not a requirement.

Required Skills & Qualities:

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required
• Multi-tasking and Organizational skills is a must
• Adaptable and Flexible
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
• Team-oriented & good sense of humor

Salary and Conditions

• In accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment (M-F)
• The income will be subject to statutory deductions as per applicable Nigeria laws. The employee is responsible for the tax returns.

Application Closing Date
4th July, 2023 at midnight (GMT-time)