NGO JOBS

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is seeking a competent Protection Specialist to strengthen DRC’s operations in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.

DRC has been operational in Myanmar since 2009 and today implements disaster risk reduction and protection integrated assistance programmes in the states of Rakhine and Kachin. Activities include relief, early recovery, protection monitoring, training and awareness raising among local actors, and longer-term livelihood and community safety and development. Further, DRC has recently started looking into the potential for mine action activities through it’s mine action section.

All activities are community-based and implemented with the overall objective of promoting and supporting durable solutions and in close cooperation with IDPs, returnees and host communities, government authorities, local NGOs, other humanitarian agencies, and to a certain extent non state actors.

DRC has a well-established presence in the state of Rakhine where it initially provided emergency assistance to communities affected by cyclone Giri. Following the recent escalations in violence in Rakhine it is estimated that around 75’000 people are displaced in camps concentrated around Sittwe, and other affected areas in Pauk Taw, Buthidaung, Rathidaung and Maungdaw. DRC will continue its programme in Rakhine focusing on protection monitoring through presence and provision of basic humanitarian assistance, livelihoods support and recovery activities. Furthermore, longer-term support to local authorities in strengthening community-driven safety and reconciliation processes and other types of support are envisioned.

DRC’s main office is in Yangon; field offices are located in Myebon and Sittwe (Rakhine State), and Mytkyina (Kachin state).

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The Protection Specialist is based in Sittwe and is expected to provide general support in protection to the Rakhine programme.

The Protection Specialist will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager – Rakhine, directly responsible for DRC’s activities in Rakhine – and with technical guidance from the Protection Advisor, based in Yangon, on protection related issues.

The duties include, but are not limited to the following:

A. GENERAL

• Assisting the Protection Advisor in protection strategy development and in drafting protection/ human rights oriented concept notes and project proposals

• Supporting the Project Manager and the Protection Advisor in the implementation of protection activities following a community-based approach

B. PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

• Leading the process of identifying, analysing and reporting on protection gaps of conflict affected populations

• Conducting protection needs assessments in camps and affected villagesCarrying out IDP profiling including data base management

• Initiating protection monitoring and setting up a monitoring system

C. COORDINATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Coordinating and liaising closely with UNHCR, INGOs, local partners to ensure a participatory, transparent and coordinated approach.

• Undertaking community facilitation and engaging in inter/ intra community dialogue activities

• Assisting the Protection Advisor in capacity building and training of national staff, partner organisations and local authorities in protection related issue, including code of conduct, guiding principles, humanitarian imperatives, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate represents the majority of the below mentioned areas.

• At least 3 years of operational experience in international humanitarian programmes, ideally including acute crises and/or work experience from Asia

• At least 1 year of experience with protection activities from an emergency perspective

• University Degree in law, international (humanitarian law), international relations or political science

• Demonstrated ability to conduct training on protection and human rights topics, including staff training

• Knowledge of and experience in handling land and property issues, and legal aid

• Knowledge of project budget, reporting and proposal writing

• Strong communication and analytical skills

• Proven advocacy skills

• Fluency in written and spoken English

• Ability to work in a deadline driven environment and undertake a proactive approach

CONDITIONS

Availability: October 2012 or as soon as possible.

Duty station: Sittwe (non-family duty station) with regular travel to project areas

Contract: 6 months contract (can be extended pending funding). Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates see www.drc.dk under Vacancies. This position is placed at Employment Category A12/13 (depending on experience and qualifications of the candidate).

FURTHER INFORMATION

You are welcome to contact Head of Desk Mr Anders Bech Tharsgaard, email: anders.bech.tharsgaard@drc.dk or Country Representative Ms Sabine Linzbichler, DRC Myanmar, email: drcrep.mm@gmail.com for further information about the position.

For information about our work and organisation, please visit our website www.drc.dk

APPLICATION AND CV

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications will be considered. Please remember to include a letter of application and your CV.

Please forward the application and CV, in English and marked “Protection Specialist Myanmar”, no later than Friday, 12 October 2012.

CV-only applications will not be considered.

PLEASE NOTE that applications are not to be sent to Ms. Linzbichler or Mr. Bech Tharsgaard. We only accept applications sent via our online system at www.drc.dk under Vacancies/Current Vacancies/Protection Specialist – Myanmar. Applications sent directly to Ms. Linzbichler or Mr. Bech Tharsgaard WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Please contact our HR department, job@drc.dk, if you have questions to the application process or experience problems with your online application.

ABOUT DRC

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a private, independent, humanitarian organization working on all aspects of the refugee cause in more than twenty-five countries throughout the world. The aim of DRC is to protect refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) against persecution and to promote durable solutions to the problems of forced migration, on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC works in accordance with the UN Conventions on Refugees and the Code of Conduct for the ICRC and NGOs in Disaster Relief.

The protection and assistance to conflict affected population is provided within a long-term, regional and rights-based approach in order to constitute a coherent and effective response to the challenges posed by today’s conflicts. Assistance consists of relief and other humanitarian aid, rehabilitation, support to return and repatriation as well as promotion of long-term solutions to displacement and its causes. In addition, support and capacity building of local and national authorities and NGOs form an integral part of DRC’s work.