Protection Officer -Legal

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a qualified Protection Officer – Legal for our operations in Jigjiga/Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

Instruction for applicants:
All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV in English. Please ensure that your CV does not exceed three pages. Applications with CVs longer than the specified limit may not be considered

Overall purpose of the role

Under the line management from Protection Project Manager, technical supervision of CO Protection specialist-Access to justice- The Legal officer will undertake protection and legal aid activities within the SIDA Mixed Migration 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 Project Manager to meet the project objective.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• 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;
• Support advocacy and policy engagement by providing legal analysis, evidence and recommendations on identified legal and policy gaps affecting people on the move, including barriers to safe mobility, access to justice, documentation, return and reintegration, and protection services.
• Provide legal counselling, legal assistance and information dissemination to the target community;
• Develop and disseminate IEC materials with key messages on legal rights, 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 and facilitate capacity-building sessions for government stakeholders, partners and community-based structures on national and international legal frameworks, rights of people on the move, migration-related legal procedures, legal aid and referral mechanisms;
• Engage with DRC finance, administration, supply chain and other relevant teams as required to facilitate timely and compliant implementation of project activities;
• Conduct regular mapping and updating of legal aid and protection service providers along the Eastern migration route, particularly in Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Jigjiga and Togochale, and support the establishment and operationalization of functional referral pathways.
• Support the development, strengthening and operationalization of integrated referral mechanisms for legal aid and protection services in coordination with government institutions, UN agencies, NGOs, legal aid providers and other relevant stakeholders.
• Coordinate with other project teams and implementing partners team.
• Perform other relevant duties and protection activities, as needed or requested by the protection manager.

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 manager.
• Ensure that project activities are properly documented and reported.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 3 years work experience in the legal sector, preferably in a humanitarian context and migration projects;
• Demonstrated experience in providing legal information, legal counselling and legal assistance to vulnerable or marginalized populations
• Experience working with people on the move, including migrants, returnees, refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and/or other persons with protection needs;
• Experience and familiarity with Ethiopia’s judicial system;
• Familiarity with international laws focusing on the rights of people in move;
• 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 from a recognized institution

LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)

• Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English, knowledge of local language is an required

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: 12 Months

Contract Type: National Contract

Band: H2

Designation of Duty Station: Jigjiga/Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

Start date: 15 October 2026

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

Application process:

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than three pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered

Please ensure that your CV does not exceed three pages. Applications with CVs longer than the specified limit may not be considered.

Closing date for applications: September 22, 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.