About the Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations, committed to protecting the rights and dignity of displaced and vulnerable populations. DRC operates globally to deliver assistance and protection to people affected by conflict, displacement, and natural disasters. By joining DRC, you will be part of a team that prioritizes ethical standards, innovative approaches, and impactful humanitarian interventions. DRC encourages professional growth, capacity building, and exposure to international protection frameworks and field operations.
Job Description:
The Protection Specialist will play a key role in implementing DRC’s protection monitoring program in the Assosa Field Office, Benishangul-Gumuz. This position focuses on analyzing the protective environment to identify trends and emerging risks for vulnerable populations. The role will lead the development of protection monitoring methodologies, design data collection systems, and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data to produce accurate and actionable protection reports.
The specialist will update protection analysis regularly, support the development of training programs for staff and community networks, and ensure the effective management of protection information systems. You will conduct field visits, provide technical guidance to field staff, and ensure that protection monitoring activities align with DRC’s global standards and Protection Analytical Framework (PAF).
This position offers opportunities to work closely with multiple stakeholders including UN agencies, government authorities, NGOs, and local partners, enhancing your networking, coordination, and leadership skills in humanitarian protection.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and implement protection monitoring methodologies and tools tailored to project locations.
- Lead the development and rollout of data collection tools, determine appropriate sampling strategies, and ensure quality data collection.
- Develop and implement capacity building plans and trainings for Community Based Protection Networks (CBPN) and protection staff.
- Support the establishment and maintenance of a robust protection information management system in collaboration with the Information Management Officer.
- Work closely with DRC and partner teams to ensure timely and accurate data collection and reporting.
- Conduct field visits to supervise data collection, provide technical support, and maintain quality assurance.
- Analyze collected data and produce protection reports, analysis briefs, and learning materials to inform programming and advocacy.
- Review and improve data collection methodologies and tools to ensure relevance and accuracy.
- Monitor contextual developments to identify emerging risks and propose thematic areas for research.
- Support dissemination of findings to partners, donors, and relevant stakeholders.
- Collaborate with other sectors to integrate protection information into wider organizational reporting.
- Contribute to donor reports, concept notes, and proposal development.
- Maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring effective coordination and responsible information sharing.
- Provide technical supervision, guidance, and capacity development for staff and partners in the field.
- Participate in partner selection, capacity assessments, monitoring visits, and technical guidance to ensure high-quality program delivery.
Educational Qualification:
- University degree in social work, social science, law, or other relevant fields from a recognized institution.
- Relevant professional certifications in protection, monitoring, or data management are an advantage.
Work Experience:
- Minimum of three years’ practical experience in protection, with hands-on experience in research, monitoring, and protection analysis.
- Experience developing data collection tools and methodologies for trend analysis is essential.
- Proven record of producing timely and high-quality protection reports.
- Familiarity with international human rights law, humanitarian law, refugee law, and regulatory frameworks for internally displaced persons.
Required Skills and Competencies:
- Excellent research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to coordinate with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
- Ability to prioritize tasks, maintain attention to detail, and manage deadlines effectively.
- Strong ethical standards and commitment to DRC’s Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
- Fluency in English and Amharic, both written and spoken.
- Commitment to promoting gender equality, diversity, and inclusion within the workplace and programs.
Job Location:
Assosa Field Office, Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia. This role requires frequent field visits to monitor protection activities and provide technical support.
Employment Type and Salary:
- Contract Length: 6 months
- Contract Type: National Contract
- Band: G2 – Non-Management
- Start Date: 15th April 2026
- Salary and benefits will be in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for national staff. This role offers substantial professional development opportunities, exposure to field operations, and career growth within humanitarian protection programs.
How to Apply:
All interested candidates must submit a cover letter and an updated CV (maximum four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Scanned certificates or additional attachments are not required at this stage.
DRC strongly encourages women and underrepresented groups to apply, reflecting our commitment to gender parity and diversity in humanitarian staffing. Ethiopian nationals only are eligible to apply.
The deadline for applications is March 29, 2026.
Joining DRC as a Protection Specialist provides a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact on the lives of vulnerable populations, enhance professional expertise in protection and humanitarian response, and contribute to an organization recognized globally for its excellence, integrity, and innovation in humanitarian work.
This role emphasizes career development through mentoring, exposure to international frameworks, and hands-on experience in protection monitoring and analysis. You will have the chance to shape programming decisions, guide partners, and influence protection policies in a dynamic field environment.
By applying, you will contribute to meaningful interventions that protect vulnerable communities, support gender equality, and promote human rights in line with international standards. DRC offers a supportive environment for professional growth, networking, and collaboration across multiple sectors and operational contexts.
We invite qualified and passionate individuals to join our team and help strengthen protection programming while advancing their careers in humanitarian response.
Apply now to become part of a mission-driven organization where your work directly impacts lives, builds resilience, and fosters equitable access to protection for displaced and vulnerable communities.