Protection Team Leader

Job Description

Protection Team Leader

(Yemen – Taiz – Al-Turbah)

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 6500 staff. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

 

About the role

Overall purpose of the role:

Under the direct supervision of the Protection Manager, and the technical supervision of the Protection Specialist, the Protection Team Leader (TL) will ensure the effective implementation of DRC’s protection intervention in the Shamayateen and Mowzsit, with a specific focus on Case Management (CM) services, Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) and Psychosocial Support (PSS) activities, and Legal Aid interventions in the assigned areas of operation. The Protection TL will be responsible for ensuring excellent organization and coordination of the protection activities implemented by DRC Protection team. They will provide technical and organizational support to protection staff through daily guidance, coordination, capacity-building, follow-up, monitoring, and reporting. The Protection TL will also be responsible to maintain effective working relationship with relevant stakeholders including community members, partners, and clusters.

 

 

Main responsibilities:

Grants Management

 

  • Ensure the successful implementation of protection activities under their supervision, including appropriate and timely spending plans for activities to achieve program goals, procurement, use and distribution of supplies and resources;
  • Support with project planning including work plans and target tracking to ensure timely implementation of activities and successful achievement of targets;
  • Support the monitoring of financial commitments and expenditures against budgets and provide timely feedback on budget follow-up to Protection Manager;
  • Support Protection Manager by contributing to and providing field-related inputs for protection proposals.
  • Monitor and ensure the successful implementation of partners’ activities, including appropriate and timely spending plans for activities and targets tracking to achieve program goals.

 

Technical Support and Supervision

 

  • Provide technical support, supervision and guidance to the protection team, and ensure that protection activities, including CM, IPA, PSS and legal, are implemented in line with DRC SOPs and best-practices;
  • Conduct on-the-job coaching by undertaking field visits and providing feedback;
  • Identify technical gaps in the activities and identify/implement solutions to address these gaps;
  • With the support of DRC Protection Specialist and Protection Manager, provide capacity building to protection team members according to the identified needs and agreed capacity building plans;
  • Conduct regular individual and group supervisions with protection staff to ensure that cases receive all the necessary support, that lessons learned and best practices are shared and challenges are mitigated;
  • Facilitate and attend case conferences for complex cases and ensure case conferences are called involving relevant stakeholders;
  • Ensure and monitor the correct documentation of cases through review of files and databases;
  • Maintain oversight of DRC community centers, ensuring that the spaces are safe and accessible for all beneficiaries;
  • Organize the schedule of PSS activities in DRC community center and in IDP sites in collaboration with PSS team;
  • Ensure that the PSS team provides services that are culturally sensitive, non-discriminatory, and meet the needs of the target population.
  • Support DRC Protection Manager and PSS Specialist in the development of new PSS curricula and activities, based on identified needs and beneficiaries’ suggestions;
  • Ensure confidentiality of information, and that data protection and information-sharing protocols are respected;
  • Review staff caseloads to ensure they are manageable and respect sector’s guidelines and share challenges and feedback with Protection Manager;
  • Ensure that Protection staff correctly store all protection activities’ documents and tracking sheets, with hard copies matching soft copies on SharePoint, and respecting data protection protocols.

 

Staff management

  • Manage the protection staff providing CM services, IPA, conducting PSS, and legal activities
  • Promote team building and contribute to a respective and positive working environment;
  • In collaboration with the HR department, participate to recruitment process(es) of protection staff (shortlisting resumes, correcting tests, conducting interviews, etc.);
  • Support the protection staff in the implementation of all protection activities, orient new staff to DRC and the protection program in addition to day-to-day management and supervision of the protection team under his/her supervision;
  • Ensure that staff implement and respect best-practice and international standards in protection;
  • Ensure the respect and implementation of HR procedures in accordance with DRC Policies and Guidelines (i.e. daily management, disciplinary procedures, performance appraisals, leaves management, trainings and capacity building, etc.) in collaboration with the Human Resources department and Protection Manager;
  • Ensure the adherence of his/her staff to DRC Code of Conduct, policies, rules and regulations. 

 

Monitoring and Reporting

  • Submit to the Protection Manager weekly and monthly reports on all protection activities, developments in the external context and humanitarian situation, and on project implementation progress;
  • On a monthly basis revise all protection’s activities tracking sheets, remove confidential data and share a compiled version with Protection Manager for revision and approval;
  • On a monthly basis submit the necessary data to Protection Manager to ensure timely reporting on Activity Info;
  • Regularly coordinate with MEAL team to ensure PDM and PSM are conducted in a timely manner, ensuring respect of confidentiality and following DRC SOPs and best practices.

 

Coordination and representation

  • Develop and maintain effective working relationship with relevant stakeholders including community members, partner agencies and service providers;
  • Advocate for the needs of vulnerable individuals both internally and through coordination mechanisms through evidence-based advocacy;
  • Maintain an up-to-date service mapping of the service providers operating in the area and share with the case management and PSS teams;
  • Attend Protection Cluster/s and coordination meetings as requested by Protection Manager.

 

Other

  • Any other duties relating to the nature of the job as directed by the Protection Manager and Protection Specialist;
  • The TL may be requested to attend emergent call for duty during emergencies, upon the decision of line-manager;
  • Maintain positive work relationship within the team, and promote team-building efforts in coordination with the Protection Manager;
  • Comply with DRC's Code of Conduct, program requirements and operational policies at all times and report any concerns through the appropriate mechanism;
  • Must treat all partners and beneficiaries with dignity and respect.

 

Experience and technical competencies:

·         Relevant professional experience on CM and PSS of not less than 4 (four) years;

·         Experience in management of a team with proven leadership qualities;

·         Familiarity/prior experience with DRC and its persons of concern (including internally displaced persons, returnees, refugees) would be a distinct advantage;

·         Excellent knowledge and understanding of local communities and customary rules;

·         Full respect for client/organization confidentiality;

·         Demonstrated interpersonal skills and respect for people with special needs and other vulnerability;

·         Ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team player;

·         Ability to provide technical support, trainings and supervision to Officers and Assistants;

·         Excellent writing, reporting, and analytical skills;

·         Familiarity with international protection and human rights legal standards would be a distinct advantage;

·         Strong written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties;

·         Excellent organizational and planning skills as well as communication and inter-personal skills;

·         Punctuality and respect for applicable rules and procedures;

·         Strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, work independently and prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail;

·         Self-motivation, goal/result-orientation and team work;

·         Flexibility, creativeness, tolerance and maturity;

·         Computer/IT literacy (OS Windows, MS (Word, Excel in particular), etc.

 

Education:

·         University degree in management, social sciences or similar field; proven field experience can be accepted in lieu.

·         Advanced University degree (Desirable)

Languages:

·         Arabic - Fluent, reading and writing

·         English - Fluent, reading and writing

Key stakeholders:

·         Protection Staff Members

·         Other DRC Departments (GFD, FSL, etc.)

·         Community members

·         I/NGOs and government services (health and CRA in particular)

·         Support teams (logistics, finance, HR)

·         Protection Cluster

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.

Contract length:  Dec 31, 2026

Position Band:  This position will be placed in the Management (MG) band. Reports to Protection Manager

Start date: ASAP

Duty station: Taiz – Al-Turbah, Yemen

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

How to Apply

Female staff are encouraged to apply

Application process

All 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.

https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=174503&DepartmentId=19111&MediaId=5

Closing date for applications: Oct 8, 2025, recruitment process is planned to start in maximum 2 weeks after the closing date.

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