Protection Program Manager

About the Position

Protection Program Manager

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) assists refugees and displaced persons around the world, providing emergency aid, fighting for their rights, and strengthening their opportunities for a better future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes, and within the countries in which refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive to achieve responsible and sustainable solutions.

We work for the successful integration of vulnerable communities and, where possible, for the fulfillment of their wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown into an international humanitarian organization with over 7,000 employees and 8,000 volunteers. Headquartered in Copenhagen, and present in 40 countries, the DRC is a non-governmental, non-profit, politically neutral, independent, and non-denominational aid organization.

Our vision is a life with dignity for all the world's displaced people. All our efforts are based on our moral compass: humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency.

Responsibilities

Management

• Manage and oversee implementation of all protection projects in the area, in alignment with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, and donor requirements.
• Develop, coordinate, plan, implement, and quality assure DRC’s protection activities and services.
• Write internal and external reports about protection activities and projects within agreed deadlines, in line with DRC and donor formats.

Technical Support

• Provide technical support, supervision, and guidance to protection team members at the Area level and ensure that direct staff adhere to protection policies, standards, and best practices.
• Authority to instruct – including issuing instructions and providing strategic direction on issues related to the protection sector in the work area.
• Provide capacity building and on-the-job coaching related to direct staff roles and responsibilities.
• In collaboration with the Protection Coordinator, and as needed, develop and roll out protection tools and Standard Operating procedures.

People Management

• Responsible for managing and providing direction to and monitoring protection staff in their daily work and implementation of their assigned activities to ensure adherence to work plans and quality standards.
• Provide day-to-day training and capacity building for all direct protection staff.
• Responsible for undertaking recruitment, onboarding, and appraisal of protection staff.
• Set clear work plans and objectives for protection teams and promote professional development of staff by identifying and implementing capacity building opportunities.

Programme Development and Quality Assurance

• Contribute to the strategic direction of the protection sector (this includes at the area level and national level) through active and ongoing participation in and contribution to strategic planning processes – including protection analysis and strategy development.
• Contribute to the development of proposals, budgets, and concept notes in coordination with relevant DRC colleagues.
• Ensure quality assurance of protection activities according to minimum standards, including through the development and implementation of standard operating procedures, tools, and lessons learned documents.
• Ensure Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) is mainstreamed into protection projects and programmes.
• Ensure appropriate collection of data of the projects, activities, and contexts in respect with ethics and DRC Data Protection Policy in collaboration with Protection Information Management (PIM) or Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team.
• Support protection needs assessments, analyses, monitoring, periodic reports, and other protection-related quality documents in collaboration with the Protection Information Management (PIM) team.

Finance and Administration

• Responsible for budget management, including monitoring, forecasting, and performing budget holder responsibilities for protection projects.

Coordination and Representation

• Ensure effective coordination and collaboration with other DRC sectors and promote complementarities of programmes.
• Actively participate in and represent DRC in relevant (regional or local) protection interagency coordination (clusters or sectors).
• Liaise, coordinate, and foster professional relationships with relevant stakeholders, including government, local authorities and institutions, UN, civil society, and NGOs.
• Actively engage and contribute to DRC protection-related advocacy efforts.
• Promote integrated programming and ensure internal coordination and harmonization of DRC protection approach across sites and with other core sectors, as relevant.
• Liaise with projects’ donor when necessary to support fundraising efforts.
• Actively contribute to new viable partnerships for the Protection sector at the Area level.
• Keep abreast of protection activities implemented by other organizations as well as in the geographical working area within Chad, ensure the complementarity of DRC's programmes, assess referral opportunities, and support the capacity development of the duty-bearer.

Programme Strategy

• Contribute to the technical strategy with emphasis on needs of the affected communities, expansion to relevant sectors, and programme integration. Support the Protection Coordinator and Area Manager on creating the Protection Strategy.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of proven protection experience and management of protection programmes or projects.
• Master's degree in social sciences, human rights, intervention development, gender/protection studies, or other relevant field.
• Experience working with local partners, local authorities, and other INGOs within a consortium.
• Previous professional experience in West and Central Africa.
• Knowledge of International Refugee Law, International Human Rights Law, and International Humanitarian Law.
• Knowledge and experience designing, implementing, and monitoring and evaluation of protection activities within two or more of DRC’s Protection sector components: Community Based Protection, Gender-Based Violence, Child Protection, Protection Information Management, Community-Based Violence Protection, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and/or Legal Aid.
• Proven experience in capacity building, including preparation and delivery of materials and mentoring of staff.
• Strong cultural sensitivity and experience working with people from various backgrounds.
• Demonstrated experience in team management, including previous experience in the direct line management of staff.
• Solid experience in project cycle management, including proposal writing, budget management, and donor reporting.
• Full professional command of French, including excellent writing skills. Proficiency in English will be highly prioritized.
• Computer skills in Microsoft Pack (Excel, Office, Outlook, etc.)
• Very good knowledge of humanitarian principles.
• Sound understanding and experience in protection mainstreaming and Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) mainstreaming, Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, plan, and manage own time effectively, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to adapt the work focus based on the needs and oversee the projects implementation in different field locations concurrently.
• Strong work ethic, collaborative mindset, and ability to take responsibility for own actions.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Ability to cope with heavy workloads and work under pressure.
• Highly motivated, results-oriented, and creative problem solver.
• Good understanding of and commitment to DRC values.

Nice to Have

• Proactivity, with a cooperative and collaborative approach.
• Excellent communication skills (including attentiveness and patience) are required.
• Good organizational skills are required.
• Exemplary sense of ethics.
• Ability to work as part of a team, with a good sense of humor.

We Offer

• Competitive salaries.
• Opportunity to work with a leading international NGO.
• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities.
• A diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Equal employment opportunities and a commitment to diversity.

About the Company

Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world - and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 30 countries, we protect, advocate, and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.

By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of over 6,000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise.
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do.
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution.
• Culture, values & strong leadership.
• Fair compensation & continuous development.

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s, and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote 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. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Application Procedure

If you are interested in this position, please apply online by following this link: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies.

All applicants must upload a cover letter and updated CV (no more than four pages). Applications can only be submitted online via the DRC website, at the link indicated above. Applications sent by e-mail will not be considered.

Applications will close on June 23, 2026.

We encourage national and international candidates to apply and offer competitive salaries. We strongly encourage female candidates to apply. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with DRC's terms and conditions of employment. For more information, please visit the DRC website.

DRC guarantees equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. The DRC encourages all candidates to apply and does not discriminate in any way during the recruitment process. However, applicants should bear in mind that DRC cannot employ, under an international contract, a national of the country in which they will be working.

As part of this recruitment process, it should be noted that Chadian applications will be given priority.

If you have any questions or problems with the online application process, please contact [email protected]. For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.