Protection Coordinator (Re-advertisement)

Protection Sector Technical Lead

Role Overview

The Protection Sector Technical Lead is responsible for providing strategic direction, technical oversight, and quality assurance for all protection programming within the country portfolio. This role leads protection analysis, strategy development, and program implementation while ensuring integration of Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGDM) principles. The position also provides technical supervision to protection managers and team leaders, coordinates with external stakeholders, and contributes to advocacy and project development.

Key Responsibilities

R1. Protection Sector Technical Leadership

• Lead protection analysis and the development and implementation of the country-level protection strategy.
• Assume overall technical responsibility for the protection portfolio and ensure AGDM is mainstreamed in all protection activities.
• Oversee and lead the development, harmonization, and rollout of internal protection tools, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies, and guidelines for DRC’s protection interventions.
• Act as a reference point for other sector colleagues on protection mainstreaming.

R2. Technical Supervision

• Provide technical supervision, advice, and guidance to protection managers and team leaders.
• Participate in HR processes, including recruitment of protection sector technical staff, setting performance objectives, and conducting performance appraisals for protection managers and team leaders.
• Identify technical gaps in the protection sector and establish capacity-building plans for protection staff.
• Work closely with relevant protection staff to develop and deliver capacity-building efforts.
• Provide regular technical support and guidance to protection teams and other relevant staff on both a structured and case-by-case basis.

R3. Protection Programme Development, Quality Assurance, and Oversight

• Maintain oversight of overall protection programme implementation, including budgets and indicators, in close collaboration with the Head of Program, Area Managers, Protection Team Leaders, and Project Managers.
• Participate in program/project review meetings, including grant opening, grant review, and close-out meetings.
• Review and update technical approaches and protection SOPs.
• Collaborate with the PIM/Advocacy specialist to develop protection monitoring reports and review protection monitoring tools annually or as needed.
• Lead the revision of tools and SOPs for the current case management system.
• Support program teams to review current referral mechanisms, linking beneficiaries—particularly vulnerable individuals and groups—to services through service mapping, referral workshops, and SOPs.
• Provide regular technical trainings and capacity-building to protection staff, partners, and other stakeholders on key DRC protection concerns and product solutions.
• Coordinate with other sectors to integrate protection programs where possible and mainstream protection within other sectors where integration is not available.
• Ensure protection mainstreaming across all programming approaches, SOPs, tools, and staff capacity development.
• Organize and facilitate regular protection team meetings across sub-sectors and field offices for knowledge sharing, peer support, and quality improvement.
• Coordinate with MEAL to develop MEAL tools and accountability systems, including incorporation of feedback mechanisms for staff and beneficiaries.
• Oversee the compilation of project-related internal and external reports and communications.

R4. Coordination and Advocacy

• Regularly coordinate and liaise with UNHCR Protection unit, other protection partners, and government authorities at the country level.
• Collaborate with relevant internal and external technical experts on issues related to the protection sector.
• Represent DRC at relevant protection coordination meetings.
• Actively participate in internal coordination meetings.
• Along with the Advocacy/PIM specialist, develop monthly protection monitoring reports for external circulation, with clear and targeted recommendations for different audiences.
• Support training on protection advocacy for local civil society and other local stakeholders.
• Lead the development of protection advocacy strategies and plans.

R5. Project Development

• Contribute to and coordinate the design, implementation, and evaluation of protection-related programming to secure follow-on or expansion funding for the protection portfolio, based on identified needs and in a standardized manner across programmes.
• Lead proposal design, including activity design and budgeting, along with protection leads where needed. Provide sign-off on all project proposals and budgets related to protection activities.
• Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by the Line Manager.

Required Experience and Technical Competencies

• Significant knowledge of International Human Rights Law, particularly Refugee Law and Durable Solutions.
• Minimum 7 years’ experience implementing and developing protection programs in displacement contexts.
• Experience in protection programming, as well as Child Protection, GBV programming, Case Management, and Gender.
• Experience with Protection Information Management systems and tools.
• Experience in international humanitarian work, advocacy, and policy development at national level, including high-level representation.
• Experience preparing protection programming strategies and advocacy strategies for a complex programme covering multiple sites.
• Experience in coordinating and standardizing approaches across a multi-site programme.
• Experience integrating protection with other sectors’ programming.
• Experience providing remote technical guidance and developing training to suit a variety of audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct trainings on protection and human rights topics, including staff training.
• Experience with MEAL tools.

Education

Master’s degree in Social Science, Law, or Humanitarian Aid.

Languages

• English – fluent
• Swahili – desirable