Protection Team Leader - Victim Assistance

Location: Aden, Yemen

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization that provides aid to refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. We strive to deliver emergency assistance, advocate for their rights, and enhance their prospects for a better future. Our work spans conflict-affected areas, displacement routes, and refugee settlement countries. In collaboration with local communities, we seek responsible and sustainable solutions, aiming for successful integration and, whenever possible, the safe return to their homes. Established in Denmark in 1956, DRC has evolved into a global organization with over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is to ensure a dignified life for all displaced individuals. Our efforts are guided by our core values: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC has been operating in the Middle East (ME) region for over a decade. Through country offices in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey, along with a regional office in Amman, we run a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection, and advocacy programs.

DRC Yemen's Response

DRC has been operational in Yemen since 2008, focusing on the protection of human rights. Initially assisting mixed migrants from the Horn of Africa displaced by conflict and drought, our interventions have expanded to provide humanitarian aid across nineteen governorates in the country. Our current program sectors include protection, food security and livelihoods, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), shelter, humanitarian mine action, and camp coordination and camp management (CCCM).

About the Job

Under the supervision of the Protection Manager - South (Aden), the Protection Team Leader for Victim Assistance (VA) will ensure the effective implementation of DRC's protection programs in the assigned areas of operation. The role primarily focuses on victim assistance, case management, and psychosocial support services (PSS). The Protection Team Leader will maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, including community members, partners, hospitals, and clusters. Responsibilities include managing and supporting protection staff, ensuring high-quality service delivery, and contributing to project development, reporting, and technical support.

Responsibilities

Operations & Program Management

• Ensure the effective implementation of high-quality protection programs, specifically victim assistance, case management, and psychosocial support services, in accordance with proposals, budgets, work plans, and DRC's standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure completeness, accuracy, and confidentiality of case files in line with relevant SOPs.
• Implement monitoring and evaluation tools, providing recommendations based on findings.
• Conduct field and site visits to monitor implementation quality.
• Assess hospitals and establish Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) annually.
• Provide oversight of hospital payment process in coordination with support units.
• Ensure appropriate and timely spending aligned with the allocated budget and targets.

Project Development & Reporting

• Contribute field-related inputs and updates on contextual developments for protection proposals and reports.
• Draft internal weekly and monthly reports on project progress.
• Manage relevant databases, ensuring accurate and updated data while adhering to protection information management guidelines.
• Monitor and report on protection trends, identifying program priorities and advocacy initiatives based on collected data.

Staff Management

• Line manage Protection Officers and Protection Assistants in the designated areas.
• Support the Protection Manager in recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Provide day-to-day oversight of protection staff.
• Monitor staff working hours and support leave management.
• Maintain communication with Safety regarding contextual developments and incident reporting.
• Provide regular constructive feedback and conduct periodic appraisals following DRC's performance management procedures.

Technical Support

• Provide technical support, supervision, and guidance to protection staff, ensuring adherence to best practices, national and international protection standards and guidelines, principles, and DRC SOPs.
• Assess training and development needs within the protection team and develop a capacity-building plan in coordination with the Country Protection Technical team.
• Contribute to the development and revision of SOPs, tools, and forms related to victim assistance, case management, and psychosocial support.

Coordination & Representation

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, including community members, partner agencies, hospitals, and local authorities.
• Represent DRC at various coordination fora, advocating for the needs of people of concern.
• Maintain up-to-date service mapping and referral pathways with service providers.
• Train hospital focal points and stakeholders on DRC's victim assistance program and referral criteria.
• Liaise with DRC's Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) and other sectors for an integrated approach.

Other

• Perform any other duties related to the nature of the job as directed by the Protection Manager - South.
• Foster positive working relationships within the team and promote collaboration and capacity building.
• Promote integrated programming and provide technical support to other departments on protection mainstreaming.
• Adhere to DRC's mission, values, Code of Conduct, as well as humanitarian and protection principles.

Experience and Technical Competencies

• Minimum of three years of relevant experience in humanitarian response, protection, or health, preferably with an I/NGO or UN agency.
• Experience in staff management or demonstrated leadership qualities.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, including IDPs, migrants, and minority groups.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of local communities and customs.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to produce well-written external documents.
• Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a demanding work environment.
• Ability to work in a multicultural context.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC's five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.

Education

• Required: Relevant university degree (e.g., Law, Psychology, Social Work, Medicine) or equivalent professional qualification.
• Desirable: Advanced university degree.

Languages

• Fluency in Arabic.
• Professional working proficiency in English.

We Offer DRC will offer the successful applicant a contract until June 30, 2024, renewable based on funding and performance. The position is based in Aden, with travel to Marib, Lahj, and Taiz. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council's Terms of Employment. The position is placed at Band G (Manager) and reports to the Protection Team Leader.