Protection Officer

Protection Officer

Duty Station [Sana’a -Yemen]

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 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. 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.

DRC has been operating in the Middle East (ME) region for over a decade, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection and advocacy programmes through Country Offices (COs) in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey with a Regional Office (RO) in Amman.

DRC Yemen’s response

Throughout its nine field offices and a workforce of 265 staff, DRC upholds its main programmatic objectives to provide immediate and life sustaining assistance, to strengthen the protective environment, and to reduce displacement related risks and vulnerabilities by promoting self-reliance at household and community level.

About the Job:

The overall purpose of the role:

Under the supervision of the Protection Team Leader, the Protection Officer is responsible for the day-to-day follow-up, monitoring, and documentation of assigned protection activities in Sana’a, with regular travel to Hajjah and Al Hudaydah. The role conducts field visits to monitor implementation against agreed work plans, targets, and relevant protection standards, including activities implemented by local partners. The Protection Officer reviews partner reports, beneficiary databases, and supporting documentation to verify the completeness, accuracy, and consistency of reported achievements. The role identifies implementation gaps, data quality issues, and protection concerns, follows up on agreed actions with relevant teams and partners, and escalates significant issues to the Protection Team Leader. The Protection Officer also contributes to reporting, service mapping, referrals, and working-level coordination required for effective implementation of protection activities.

Main Responsibilities:

Program Implementation

• Support the timely and effective delivery of protection activities in accordance with project objectives, approved workplans, and relevant protection standards.
• Support the implementation of community-based services, including tailored support services, referral mechanisms, and linkages with legal, psychosocial, and other relevant services.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor implementation progress against agreed work plans and targets, identify challenges, and provide recommendations for improvement.
• In collaboration with the Protection Team Leader, follow up on the quality and timeliness of activities implemented by local partners and verify alignment with agreed approaches, beneficiary selection criteria, and relevant protection standards.
• Supervise the disbursement of assistance to beneficiaries in accordance with applicable procedures.
• Review relevant tracking sheets to ensure completeness, accuracy, confidentiality, and timely updating.
• Follow up on agreed action points from field monitoring visits and report progress, outstanding issues and protection-related concerns to the Protection Team Leader.
• Maintain regular communication with relevant DRC and partner staff to follow up on assigned activities and ensure accountability, safeguarding and protection principles are applied.
• In coordination with the Protection Team Leader, identify partner capacity-strengthening needs and contribute to relevant capacity strengthening activities.
• Support the implementation of Protection activities in Sana’a, including Victim Assistance (VA) and referrals, through conducting field visits and engagement with beneficiaries and service providers, as required.
• Strengthen integration between Protection and Economic Recovery programming through supporting cross-sector referrals, coordination, and complementary support for individuals with identified needs.

Partner Follow-up

• In collaboration with the Protection Team Leader, maintain regular follow-up with local partners on the implementation of agreed protection activities.
• Review partner activity plans and follow up on implementation against agreed timelines, targets, and deliverables.
• Review partner activity reports, beneficiary databases, and programme records for completeness, accuracy, and consistency with reported achievements.
• Cross-check reported achievements against beneficiary databases, supporting documentation, and field monitoring findings.
• Identify data gaps, inconsistencies or discrepancies and follow up with partners for clarification and correction.
• Follow up on recommendations and action points agreed with partners and escalate significant implementation, data quality or protection concerns to the Protection Team Leader.

Coordination, Reporting and Data Quality

• Regularly review protection databases and programme records to ensure completeness, accuracy and consistency of reported data.
• Verify that reported achievements are supported by appropriate documentation and correctly reflected in relevant databases and tracking tools.
• Conduct data quality checks and identify missing, duplicate, incomplete or inconsistent information for follow-up and correction.
• Maintain accurate records of assigned activities, monitoring findings and follow-up actions, and contribute accurate and timely information to
• programme reports.
• Produce and submit weekly reports and updated databases/tracking sheets to the Protection Team Leader.
• Coordinate with MEAL colleagues, as required, to support data verification and follow-up on data quality issues.
• Ensure beneficiary information and sensitive protection data are handled confidentially and in accordance with DRC data protection requirements.
• Support the regular updating of service mapping and referral information in relevant programme locations to strengthen safe and effective
• referral pathways for DRC and partner teams.
• Participate in relevant internal and external coordination meetings, as requested by the Protection Team Leader.

Other

• Any other duties relating to the nature of the job as directed by the line manager.
• Maintain positive work relationships with the team and promote team-building efforts.
• Adhere to DRC’s mission, values and Code of Conduct, including neutrality, Do No Harm and non-discrimination.
• Treat all partners and beneficiaries with dignity and respect.

About you

To be successful in this role, you must have:

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 3 years of professional experience in humanitarian protection programming, including implementation and field follow-up of protection activities.
• Experience working with local or national implementing partners and following up on activity implementation against work plans, targets, and deliverables.
• Strong understanding of humanitarian principles, Do No Harm, and safe and ethical programming.
• Experience working in an international organization is preferred.
• Experience coordinating with other agencies, sectors, and relevant stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and report writing skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and perform effectively in a fast-paced and complex operational environment.
• Willingness to travel to Hajjah, Al Hudaydah, and other field locations as required.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five 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.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required qualifications:

Education:

Essential Qualification :

Bachelor/Degree in Social work, Counseling, psychology, or closely related field; proven field experience can be accepted in lieu.

Languages:

• Arabic - Native

• English – very good

Key stakeholders:

• DRC Protection Teams.
• Local partners and relevant I/NGOs.
• DRC Economic Recovery Teams.
• Relevant service providers.

We offer

DRC will offer the successful applicant a contract until 31 March 2027, renewable depending on both funding and performance. You must be available to start work as soon as possible and be willing and able to work in Sana’a.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment. This position will be placed at Band (H2 Non-Manager) and will be reporting to the Protection Team Leader.

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button.
All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in the same language as this vacancy note. CV only applications will not be considered.

Applications close on 17th September 2026. The written test /interviews are expected to take place, a maximum of two weeks after the closing date.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please check Need Support? or contact HR.

Need further information?

For more details on this position, please contact yem-recruitment@drc.ngo.

Please note that applications sent directly to [yem-recruitment@drc.ngo] will not be considered.

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