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. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, 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.

The Danish Refugee Council

The Danish Refugee Council initiated its activities in the island of Lesvos in November 2015 due to the unprecedented influx of asylum seekers. Following new political developments and displacement dynamics in early 2016, DRC expanded its activities to the mainland to support the people living in several sites across the country.

With offices in Athens, Larissa and Thessaloniki, it currently implements a wide range of activities, including Site Management Support, legal assistance, identification of individual needs and protection of highly vulnerable persons, access to services within and outside the hosting sites through cultural mediation, and non-formal education. DRC works closely with the refugee communities, the Greek authorities and other humanitarian actors to ensure a protective environment for refugees and asylum seekers in Greece.

Purpose

Under supervision of the Protection Team Leader (PTL), and in close coordination with the Protection Officer (PO) and Assistants as well as other protection colleagues, DRC field units, beneficiaries and other relevant actors in Central Greece, the Social Worker will be 100% field-based (Koutsochero and Volos) and will support the implementation of DRC’s protection objectives and activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include, but not necessarily be limited, to the following:

Protection Analysis and Response

  • Oversee and support the process of conducting vulnerability assessments by the Protection Monitoring Team, to identify social, legal, psychosocial, socio-economic and administrative needs of Persons of Concern (PoC). Support monitoring of protection cases and close follow-up with cases of high risk in cooperation with medical, PSS, CP, SGBV and other actors.

  • Provide referral/support to specialized DRC and external services (including but not limited to legal services, social benefits, employability support, NFIs, accommodation, medical/mental health care, etc) and follow-up to confirm effective service provision.

  • Draft social history reports for legal aid cases, as well as other cases of vulnerable PoC in need of supporting documentation to facilitate referrals and tailored support provision.

  • Offer specialized technical support for the protection monitoring team in the implementation of agreed protection activities.

  • Contribute to a strong protection analysis of issues and trends for programme, advocacy, and management purposes.

  • Maintain an oversight of services provided and available to persons of concern with whom the protection team is working in the area of deployment; identify and track availability of new services or changes to services outside the site.

  • Ensure agreed protection activities are delivered on time and to agreed standards.

  • Ensure preparation of required project and work plans, in coordination with the supervisor.

  • Undertake planning and provide feedback to the Protection Team Leader on procurement and logistics needs, or any issues relating to staffing.
  • In coordination with the Protection Officer and the protection monitoring team, identify, advocate for and support opportunities to mainstream protection considerations into DRC or other programs.

Coordination and Representation

  • Assist in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with external stakeholders, including government authorities, UNHCR, EODY/KEELPNO, other organizations and service providers (including service referral focal points), and other relevant stakeholders, as well as persons of concern in the area of deployment.

  • Support the Protection Officer to ensure service mapping and effective referral pathways are kept up to date.

  • Represent DRC’s protection team at site-level and external meetings when necessary and as requested.

  • Ensure submission of timely reporting, monitoring and evaluation tasks as per agreed standards.

  • In coordination with the Protection Officer, support in and undertake program monitoring and evaluation activities, including regular activity monitoring, documentation of case studies, best practices and lessons learned, as agreed with line manager.

  • Provide input for the review of DRC SOPs and other work processes and identify gaps and challenges and make recommendations for improvements.

Information Management

  • Ensure the application and compliance with information management systems in place in the area of deployment.
  • Ensure files and Means of Verification (MoVs) are maintained to agreed standards to ensure donor compliance and accountability.

Program Development

In collaboration with the Protection Team Leader and Protection Manager and other colleagues, contribute to the development and design of DRC’s protection program and activities, as well as in the identification of specialized training needs for the Protection Monitoring Team.

Required Qualifications

  • Academic qualification in social work and relevant working license (or related field with proven working expertise in case management).

  • At least 2 years working experience as a social worker/case worker for particularly vulnerable individuals residing in formal and informal settings (including open accommodation sites).

  • Excellent knowledge of the social benefits and supporting services available for third country nationals and under-privileged groups

  • Experience of community-based or community mobilization work in a humanitarian context is highly regarded.

  • Strong team spirit and ability to work both on own initiative and as a part of a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team

  • Strong computer skills.

  • High professional ethics.

  • Working knowledge of Greek and English is required.

  • Additional language skills such as French and/or Kurdish and/or Somali will be an advantage.

Core Competencies of DRC:

  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity

Terms & Conditions

  • The contract will be under the Greek Labor Law (this is a national position)

  • All allowances will be provided to the employees (Christmas, Easter, Vacation bonus)

  • DRC provides training opportunities to develop and strengthen the quality of its services as well as its staff members’ professional and personal development.

  • The position will be based in Larissa (Central Greece) and national terms and conditions apply.

General Regulations

  • The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.

  • Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.

  • Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.

  • Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.

  • Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position online: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/currentvacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment.

However, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot systemically sponsor non-EU citizen or non-Greek resident for all the steps of legal process to get a work permit and/or a residency permit in Greece.

Applications close on 25th of July. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply!