Vacancy Announcement

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs founded in Denmark in 1956. DRC has provided humanitarian assistance to people in need in Myanmar since 2009. DRC is currently engaged in humanitarian response in Rakhine, Kachin, and Northern Shan. In 2012, waves of inter-communal violence swept through Rakhine, forcing approximately 140,000 persons to flee their homes and take refuge in IDP camps spread across the state. DRC activities target these IDPs, as well as other local vulnerable populations such as host villages and isolated villages. DRC implements a multi-sector response, including Camp Management, GBV, Child Protection, General Protection, Economic Recovery, and WASH activities.

DRC Myanmar in Rakhine State is funded by ECHO, SDC, DANIDA, DFAT, USAID, SIDA and UN agencies, including UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOPS and UNFPA.

To strengthen DRC’s Programme in Rakhine State, DRC is looking for a highly motivated and capable candidate to fill the position of

Protection Project Manager (1 Post)

Duty Station : Sittwe Office, Rakhine State with regular travel to Mrauk Oo and other DRC bases

Reports to : Programme Manager

Direct report for : Protection Specialists and Team leaders

Overall purpose of the role:

• Responsible for the implementation of DRC Rakhine State, Myanmar Protection Strategy and the day-to-day management of DRC’s Protection projects, both through direct implementation and partnership, within geographical area of responsibility (including Protection Monitoring, Psychosocial Support, Community Based Protection, Individual Protection Assistance (IPA), Case Management/Case Support and Advocacy for the rights of affected communities)
• Ensuring that all protection projects are in-line with DRC technical quality standards and are on time, budget and scope and provide technical expertise on project implementation and partners management.
• Direct Management of relevant program staff members.
• Develop meaningful partnerships with other partners including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and manage partner sub-grants

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Project Management and Implementation

• Supervision of the protection teams across the area, in coordination with, and under the technical supervision of the Protection Coordinator.
• Provide strategic vision, alongside Protection Coordinator, Area Program Manager and other relevant stakeholders for area of responsibility.
• Oversee implementation and monitoring of project activities with a specific emphasis on remote project management and project management in hard-to-reach areas, and in accordance with DRC Project Cycle Management Guidance
• Ensure program’s adaptability to the operational context. Adapt tools and project implementation approaches.
• Oversee program performance, budget control, expenditures, procurement, and overall project cycle management as per contractual obligations, timelines, and donor compliance in coordination with Protection Coordinators and Area Program Manager
• Support protection mainstreaming across other sectoral teams and programs (Mine Risk Education/Humanitarian Mine Action, Economic Recovery, WASH, Shelter, CCCM, Emergency Response)
• Contribute to integrated program design and implementation between Protection and other sectors
• Promote coordination between Protection and other sectoral teams for well-coordinated multi-sectoral responses.

Technical Management and Quality Control

• Work closely with the Protection Coordinator and Protection Specialist to ensure implementation of quality programming in line with DRC and Global technical protection standards
• Ensure implementation of protection projects according to the overall protection strategy, DRC Myanmar harmonized approaches, in line with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and technical guidelines on Protection Monitoring, Case Management, Individual Protection Assistance (IPA), Psychosocial Support and Community-Based Protection considering both in person and remote modalities.
• Ensure high quality of Protection interventions, synergies, and coherence among all projects.
• Strengthen the Protection Monitoring System including documentation and analysis of information.
• Guide Protection Specialist and Protection Team Leaders to ensure quality in the protection deliverables according to technical guides and SOPs.
• Conducts regular quality assessments of programming (case management, IPA, PSS etc.) to ensure that services provided are according to standards and are of high quality.
• Identify gaps in relation to the overall implementation and provide recommendations to improve program quality.
• Develop and revise necessary tools, forms, technical guides and SOPs for DRC protection related activities in coordination with relevant technical line manager.
• Provide capacity building to DRC staff and partners in collaboration with Protection Specialist and Protection Coordinator

People Management

• Establish and adjust people management mechanism, suitable for remote management modality and operational context.
• Lead and manage program staff members (direct line reports) including recruitment, performance appraisal, well-being/supportive supervision, coaching, mentoring, and capacity development.
• Foster a working environment that promotes the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) of all persons of concern that DRC serves as well as DRC
• Engage in PSEA initiatives such as trainings and promote the prevention of SEA including through understanding and utilizing as appropriate PSEA reporting mechanisms

Information Management, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Reporting

• Guided by the DRC Program Handbook, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives within relevant project program as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of activities.
• Develop program monitoring tools and support in monitoring of outcomes and outputs in coordination with MEAL team and Protection Coordinator.
• Support and lead in writing management and donor reports. Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement.
• Liaise with the MEAL team to develop and implement a MEAL plan for protection activities, develop the community feedback mechanism, map lessons learnt and identify opportunities for evaluations and quality improvement.
• Oversee knowledge sharing across teams and ensure that monitoring and evaluation results are understood and used to improve programs.
• Conduct regular audits of Protection Information Management (PIM) databases and ensure accuracy of data and maintenance of tools.
• Ensure safety and confidentiality of the collected information in accordance with DRC Code of Conduct, Protection Sector Information Sharing Protocol and relevant DRC guidelines.
• Ensure participation and empowerment of persons affected by conflict and displacement, and maintain an age, gender and diversity sensitive lens throughout the protection programming.

Coordination and Representation

• Represent DRC and actively participate in Protection and relevant sub sectors/working groups.
• Share relevant project information with external stakeholders as necessary and required.
• Together with the Area Program Manager and Protection Coordinator, coordinate and liaise closely with UNHCR, I/NGOs and other stakeholders to ensure a participatory, transparent and coordinated approach. Work with Area Manager, Protection Coordinator and others to ensure consistent external messaging from DRC.

Partnerships and Localization

• Develop and strengthen meaningful relationships with networks, other relevant stakeholders and partners in Rakhine Actively explore and identify potential partners in line with localization strategy in coordination with Partnership team.
• Engage in bilateral coordination with local and I/NGOs to expand and strengthen DRC’s partner networks, as well as support in roll out of Protection activities with partners.
• Develop meaningful partnerships based on capacity exchange and support for strengthening CSO partners
• Lead on project design and proposal development, with CSO partners, for protection sub-grant including amendment of the sub-grant. Lead kick off meeting, mid-term review and close out meeting with partners in coordination with partnership team.
• Produce master workplan and budget forecasting together with partners, including reporting and minor budgetary changes. Submit partner’s grant request form and ensure release of grant funds in a timely manner.
• Work closely with MEAL team to ensure support to partners on MEAL processes including data management and FCRM.

Strategic Programming and Project Development

• Lead on protection needs assessments and contribute to multi-sectoral needs assessment in area of responsibility to inform program design and strategic direction. Conduct rapid needs assessment of the situation in the event of emergency in collaboration with other stakeholders.
• Identify new opportunities for protection intervention and work closely with Area Program Manager, Protection Coordinator, and the Grants Unit to develop quality proposals, concept notes and budgets.
• Contribute to the development and growth of the relevant programs within the DRC objectives, including proposal development, and feed into country-wide strategy development.

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for ensuring project forecasting and spending according to deliverables.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and advice of technical experts in DRC.
• Uphold DRC commitment to Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse

*Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by Area/Line Manager and / or Protection Coordinators.

Experience and technical competencies:

• University degree or Advanced University degree (Master’s degree) in relevant field (e.g., political science, human rights, humanitarian project management, social work, international law, international development, etc.).
• 5 years of practical experience in the Protection field working for INGOs.
• Experience in Protection Monitoring, Case Management, Psychosocial Support and/or Community Based Protection.
• 5 years’ experience with people management and project management.
• Experience in project development.
• Excellent writing and editing skills for external audiences.
• Experience in producing high-quality technical material (training material, program tools, proposals, strategic documents etc.).
• Experience working with Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Strong technical understanding of the Durable Solution process.
• Advance IT knowledge (hardware and software, MS Word, Excel, Power Point).
• Experience working with national partners, local/government authorities, and UN agencies.
• Full professional proficiency in English

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s 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 and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. “

We Offer:

• Starting date of employment: ASAP.
• Contract length: Regular DRC staff contract including a probation period of 3 months with possible extension based on performance and project funding.
• Salary: Competitive salary according to DRC Myanmar salary scale.

This position is open for Myanmar National only. DRC strongly advocates for equal opportunity and promotes a diversified and inspiring working environment. Therefore, qualified candidates of ethnic minorities and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application process:

Applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered. Apply button.

Closing date for applications: 04th August 2023

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.