Protection Officer – Monitoring Full Time NEW

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a qualified Protection Officer – Monitoring for our operations in Jigjiga/Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

Instruction for applicants:
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV in English. Please ensure that your CV does not exceed three pages. Applications with CVs longer than the specified limit may not be considered

Overall purpose of the role

Under the technical supervision of the Protection manager the Protection officer (Monitoring), will implement protection monitoring activities in the target locations. Specifically, the role will plan and conduct protection monitoring visits in the communities, through data collection and encoding, referral of individuals at risk, information sharing, and timely reporting on protection trends and risks identified. The position will, furthermore, be tasked to identify and provide direct assistance and support to people with specific needs. Additionally, the position is expected to contribute to other protection activities that DRC is implementing in the area.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Develop a work plan for the implementation of protection monitoring activities in the identified sites.
• Ensure protection monitoring activities are implemented in line with international standards, best practices and DRC protection monitoring guidelines
• Carry out the protection monitoring activities according to work plan and allocated budget
• Contribute in the development and review of protection monitoring tools and in the analysis of the collected information
• Undertake data collection using the standardized tools (Key Information Interviews, Focus Group Discussion and observation)
• Collaborate closely with all sectors to ensure that information gathering and reporting are integrated across the board
• Collaborate with the protection manager country PM specialist in reviewing protection trends and needs in DRC’s areas of intervention and recommend appropriate responses for DRC’s and other agencies
• Conduct service and resource mapping to determine available services and ensure effective protection services and referrals
• Support Identification of individuals with specific needs and referral to relevant services including Individual Protection Assistance.
• Collaborate with relevant partners to develop and maintain protection referral mechanisms.
• Conduct community awareness raising and information dissemination on identified protection risks and prevention and mitigation strategies;
• Ensure the continuity of protection programming (case management, referrals) and the identification of cases through protection monitoring.
• Hold regular meetings with community-based groups/networks and help establish ‘community action plans’ to address protection risks.
• Maintain good professional relationships with other stakeholders to collect daily information on protection and support safe referrals
• Mobilize and create strong rapport with communities through engaging with community-based structures on a consistent basis and sticking to respectful, culturally appropriate ways.
• Support community-based structures through promoting meaningful group conversation and guiding members to self-identify community protection concerns.
• Engage in developing and implementing response plans according to the finding of protection monitoring with the leadership of protection manager;
• Represent DRC in engagement with the target community and their representatives, local gov’t structures, humanitarian and development agencies operating in the target area with the guidance and leadership of the protection manager.
• Work with other DRC sectoral staff to encourage referrals and information exchange.
• Ensure ethical and statistically-sound data collection, analysis and protection

Report writing and documentation

• Meet with the Community based protection officer and protection community workers on a weekly basis for individual support
• Contribute to producing monthly and quarterly protection monitoring reports and ad hoc briefs
• Support in the development of daily, weekly and monthly reports.
• Ensure proper documentation of all project activities including means of verification, assessments and case studies.
• Contribute to the development of project proposal and concept notes.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in an entry to mid-level position, with experience in the field of humanitarian response, development response, research and refugee/IDP protection working for an international NGO, UN agency or relevant ministry or local authority.
• Strong communication skills in both English and the local languages; ability to conduct interviews, facilitate discussions, and write reports in English.
• Experience in conducting protection monitoring or protection assessments using online data collection tools such as Kobo and Activity info
• Good data collection, analysis and reporting skills
• Experience working with people on the move, displaced or conflict affected populations.
• Strong planning, organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to work both independently and within a team.
• Integrity, strong work ethic, and ability to consistently meet deadlines under pressure.
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• University degree/Diploma in social sciences, law, social work, international development, or other relevant field from a recognized institution.

LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)

•           Excellent skills in speaking, reading and writing English and Amharic

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

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 12 Months

Contract Type: National Contract

Band: H2

Designation of Duty Station: Jigjiga/Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

Start date: 15 October 2026

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National employees