Country Protection Programme Manager - Head of Unit. Maternity Leave

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 fulfilment 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. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.Overall purpose of the role:The Protection Manager will provide overall technical leadership to all aspects of DRC’s protection programming in Colombia. The Protection Manager is responsible for developing the sector strategy and its implementation. As the Country Technical Sector Lead, the Protection Manager develops the protection programme and ensures quality programming. The Protection Manager ensures coordination between relevant projects and proposals, as well as oversight on program tool development, including SOPs, work plans, and training for direct program beneficiaries. The Protection Manager provides day-to-day management of the Protection Technical Unit, including supervision and technical capacity building. The Protection Manager will represent DRC in relevant internal and external coordination forums and key stakeholders, ensuring the high visibility of DRC Colombia’s protection portfolio and providing technical leadership among peer organizations.Responsibilities:Duties and ResponsibilitiesProgram Strategy & Program Development:* Support the contextual revision and rollout of the DRC Colombia Protection Strategy, ensuring it is aligned with the country strategy providing a strong rationale for programmatic priorities, and reflects the humanitarian/development space in Colombia, with a focus on how the evolving context impacts vulnerable individuals (host community, IDPs, refugees, and migrants); * Lead the ongoing strengthening of protection mainstreaming in all phases of DRC’s projects; * Proactively engage in bilateral coordination with local and international NGOs as well as with international public organizations to refine, expand, and strengthen DRC’s referral and information assistance and partner networks; * Contribute and lead the technical design and review of concept notes, logical frameworks, budgets, and full proposals in relevant technical sectors. * Provide technical input to all relevant project reports in collaboration with the area and base managers, grants specialist, protection managers, and MEAL manager. * Lead DRC’s Colombia evidence-based protection analysis to inform timely responses and advocacy actions to strengthen the protection environment. * Lead and support action plans to guarantee the Centrality of Protection.Program Quality* Support the MEAL Technical Unit in rolling out qualitative and qualitative monitoring and evaluation approaches, aiming to build contextually grounded learning into program activities; * Visit program activities and provide support and feedback to staff and implementing partners on program approaches and methodological issues. * Ensure all Protection tools, SoPs, and guidelines are regularly updated, and in line with international minimum standards. * Ensure protection principles are mainstreamed throughout all phases of DRC’s projects. * Support the Base and Area Managers in recruiting suitable qualified, experienced technical field-based staff. * Represent DRC at technical working groups linked to consortia, as required. * Maintain technical links with DRC Regional and HQ counterparts to ensure that DRC Colombia’s programmatic priorities align with and respond to global learning.Team Management:* Manage DRC Colombia’s Protection Technical Unit and provide team members with technical guidance and support through regular coordination meetings; * Mentor and support the Protection Technical Unit through regular one-to-one supervision and performance appraisals; * Ensure the Protection Technical Unit conducts regular field visits to support field teams and provides regular training and capacity building for DRC and partner staff, as per their work plans.Coordination, Representation & Advocacy:* Represent DRC at technical coordination forums, as agreed with the HoP; * Maintain close working relationships with technical leads within DRC Colombia, LAC, and HQ to ensure strategy and implementation coherence with overall objectives; * Take an active role in pushing DRC’s protection advocacy messages in relevant coordination forums.Experience and technical competencies:At least five years of proven and successful track record in international protection and/or human rights;You should also have:* Proven experience in protection programming in an emergency and early recovery context, community development and/or legal or human rights programming; * Demonstrated skills in effectively leading and building programs and/or operations in a high-pressure, fluid environment of limited resources. * Leadership and team management skills are critical, including working in multi-cultural environments. * Proven experience in strategic leadership to respond to protracted crises through innovative protection programming. * Proven experience in developing technical tools and guidance for protection programming. * Excellent knowledge of international protection standards. * A technical background in one of DRC’s key strategic areas (Protection Monitoring, Case Management, Legal aid, GBV, CBP) is an advantage. * Experience with team management and technical support; * Experience with project cycle management and project management tools such as logical frameworks, work plans, and monitoring plans. * Advanced organizational skills with the capacity to prioritize and delegate multiple tasks and meet simultaneous deadlines. * High integrity and willingness to conduct her/himself transparently and open to scrutiny * Fluency in Spanish and English.Ideally, you also have* Previous experience working in Latin America region or in mixed crises. * Experience leading evidence-based protection analysis * Experience working in equitable partnerships * Ability to communicate technical information in an easy-to-understand, informative, and collaborative manner * Good knowledge of the Core Humanitarian Standards or other accountability measures/standardsEducation:* Master degree in one of the following: International Law International development, social sciences, international relations, human rights.Languages:* English (fluent) * Spanish (fluent)All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s 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.We offer:* The opportunity to join one of the world's leading NGOs.: * Contract type: Type of Contract: National contact (obra o labor) or expat contract (fix term) - Maternity Leave * Band: F - Manager * Duty Station: Bogotá, Colombia * Start date: April 2026 ( depending on availability of funds) * Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Colombian Laws.Applications close on March 22, 2026 at 11:59 am (GMT-time).Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.Note 1: The applicant who applies to this selection process authorizes DRC to validate the personal information provided in the CV. Your identification will be checked in public and private databases for the exclusive use of validating the information, in accordance with our anti-fraud, money laundry and terrorist financing policies.Note 2: The applicant who freely and voluntarily wishes to take part in the selection process to occupy the position of this publish, must observe strict adherence to the rules that apply to the matter (suitability in the titles presented, execution of tests in a personal and individual and truthfulness in the information) adhering to the manuals and anti-fraud policies of DRC, under penalty of disqualifying the applicant who incurs in any irregularity in the opinion of the organization, even by suspicion, and even in possible criminal conduct under Colombian law.HOW TO APPLY[**https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=175375&DepartmentId=19128&SkipAdvertisement=true**](https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=175375&DepartmentId=19128&SkipAdvertisement=true)