Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly motivated Protection Officer – Legal for our operations in our Shire Field Office.

Overall purpose of the role

Under the line management from Protection team leader, technical supervision of CO Protection specialist-Access to justice- The Legal officer will undertake protection and legal activities within the ECHO project framework. The legal officer will be engaged in the provision of legal aid service including legal information dissemination, counselling, assistance, and facilitation of representation to the target population. In addition, the officer will take on any additional protection activity as required by the Protection team leader/manager to meet the project objective.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Technical Responsibilities:

• Develop a work plan for the implementation of activities focusing on Legal service provision within the framework of the project;
• Carry out activities focusing on legal support according to work plan and allocated budget in accordance with international and national laws and regulations;
• Conduct rapid assessment to identify the legal service need and concern of the target population and frame response according to the identified need;
• Conduct information dissemination on the legal rights, Civil documentation, and procedures with a focus on issues affecting the target population through the mobile protection desk and community outreach;
• Provide guidance to protection assistance - key legal information to be shared through the desk;
• Provide legal counselling, legal assistance and information dissemination to the target community;
• Develop and disseminate IEC materials with key messages on legal rights and procedures and available legal and protection services to the target population;
• Facilitate and advocate access to legal documentation for the target community in collaboration with relevant government authorities and humanitarian agencies;
• Organize capacity building training to government stakeholders and community-based structures on relevant international refugee laws and national laws and procedures;
• Engage with DRC finance, administration, and supply chain team as needed to facilitate implementation of project activity;
• Perform other relevant duties, as needed or requested by Protection Team Lead
• Carry out any additional protection activities as assigned from the protection team leader;

Reporting and administrative responsibilities

• Support provision of regular updates on project implementation, including weekly reports, including challenges or barriers to implementation;
• Prepare and submit weekly progress report on legal protection activities to protection team leader
• Ensure that project activities are properly documented and reported

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 2 years work experience in the legal sector, preferably in a humanitarian context;
• Prior Experience working with persons of concern including refugees, internally displaced and/ or returnees;
• Experience and familiarity with Ethiopia’s judicial system;
• Familiarity with international laws focusing on refugee rights;
• Understanding of protection principles and protection minimum standards;
• High level of personal initiative, analytical and problem-solving skill;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain working relationships across the organization.
• Commitment to learning and implementing organizational policies and procedures
• Good proficiency in Microsoft Office package.

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• University degree in law or other relevant field from a recognized institution.

LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)

• Excellent skills in speaking, reading and writing English, Amharic and Tigrigna

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 6 Months

Contract Type: National Contract

Band: H2 – Non-Management

Designation of Duty Station: Shire, North Ethiopia Field Office.

Start date: February 2026

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

Offers will be extended only once funding has been confirmed

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

Closing date for applications: January 30, 2026

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

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gender gap.
Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics

We strongly encourage female candidates to apply for the position!

We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nations to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.