Poland: Protection Assistant (Child Friendly Space Facilitator)

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency whose mandate is to promote and protect durable solutions to conflict and displacement-affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC is implementing a multi-sector response to support Ukraine refugees, IDPs, and host populations both within Ukraine and in the neighboring countries of Poland, Romania and Moldova, and wider Europe. DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, following previous operations in the 1990’s and between 2007-2013. Over the years, DRC successfully maintained its presence in the government-controlled areas (GCA) and adapted its programs to provide early recovery and durable solutions to people affected by the conflict including IDPs and communities living along the contact line, as well as reduce the threats of explosive ordnance with a growing humanitarian mine action program.

Due to the ongoing conflict that began on Feb 22, DRC opened offices in Poland, Moldova, and Romania to provide support to displaced populations through a partnership with civil society organizations and national NGOs, duty bearers, and other actors. DRC continues to implement in these three countries through partnerships, technical assistance and capacity exchange, and direct implementation in some cases.

About the Job: 

The Child Facilitator's primary function will be to ensure quality implementation of CFS activities in the Blue Dot in Gdynia. This will include non-formal education activities in synergy with the larger protection and gender-based violence components that constitute the overall Blue Dot services. The Child-Friendly Space Facilitator will work in close collaboration with Child Protection Officer, Protection Team Leader, Child Protection Specialist, Protection Manager, and other actors in the field.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise and support children's play activities.
• Conduct a daily observation-based assessment of the children each day to see if any children have protection concerns.
• Actively contribute to non-formal education activities, including but not limited to – the development of weekly education plans, adapting education plans to the needs and constraints of the target group, and facilitation of the non-formal education program itself.
• Organize creative, educational, and recreational workshops on a daily basis for refugee children in the Community Center and through mobile Community Center activities and ensure the safety of a variety of structured games and activities, catering to the needs of children of different ages, genders, and abilities.
• Ensure that children feel comfortable, safe, and respected.
• In communication with Protection Team Leader and Child Protection Officer, ensure that they are informed of any child protection concerns.
• Support community events and awareness-raising activities conducted by the child protection team.
• Submit written and statistical reports in a timely manner.
• Take into account the Covid-19 pandemic, including associated restrictions and recommendations coming from relevant authorities when designing and implementing activities, ensuring PoCs and personal safety;
• Actively contribute, in close cooperation with other actors, to activities related to the formal education of children, including but not limited to - providing assistance to school teachers in the inclusion of beneficiaries into formal education, keeping abreast with children's school programs, and providing key inputs for creating synergy with the non-formal education program, serve as information focal point regarding status of children enrolled into formal education.

About You: 

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a minimum of 1 year of demonstrated, strong experience working with vulnerable children, ideally in refugee/displacement programs, with a focus on delivering child protection and non-formal education activities. Moreover, we expect the following:

• A Bachelor's degree in pedagogy, education, social work, or a related field.
• In-depth understanding of the needs of unaccompanied and separated children.
• Ability to work in a multicultural context as a flexible and respectful team player.
• Problem-solving, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to produce reports for internal and external use.
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Word and Excel).
• Good command of English and a working knowledge of Polish and Ukrainian and/or Russian.

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: until 31.12.2023

Band: I

Base salary range: from PLN 7,505 to PLN 9,585 gross per month, based on experience.

Duty station: Gdynia

Start date: Asap

We offer a competitive salary and benefits in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.

How to Apply: 

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered. Please use the link below to submit your application: https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=1036&ProjectId=167256&DepartmentId=19132&MediaId=5

All applicants must already have the legal right to live and work in Poland without visa sponsorship or be EU/EFTA/Ukrainian citizens.

Closing date for applications: March 3rd, 2023

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted on a rolling basis, and we, therefore, encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

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