The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is hiring a Protection Officer based in Ocaña. Lead protection monitoring and individual assistance in the Catatumbo region. Apply by 1 Feb 2026.
Job Title: Protection Officer (Oficial de Protección)
| Organization | Danish Refugee Council (DRC) |
| Location | Ocaña, Norte de Santander (Colombia) |
| Contract Type | National Contract (Obra y Labor) |
| Start Date | February 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 1 February 2026 (11:59 AM Local Time) |
Operational Context
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading international humanitarian organization, operating in over 40 countries to protect and assist displacement-affected populations. In Colombia, DRC implements a rights-based response to the mixed migration crisis and the internal armed conflict.
We are currently recruiting a Protection Officer for our field operations in Ocaña. This position is situated in a critical operational area (Catatumbo region) and requires a professional capable of navigating complex security dynamics to deliver protection services to conflict victims, IDPs, and refugees.
Position Mandate
Reporting to the Protection Team Leader, the Protection Officer is responsible for the field implementation of protection objectives. You will act as a technical focal point for the identification of rights violations, the delivery of individual protection assistance (IPA), and the coordination of community-based protection initiatives.
Your role involves direct engagement with vulnerable populations and coordination with local authorities (SNARIV) to ensure access to rights and services.
Key Responsibilities
Protection Implementation & Monitoring
- Conduct continuous protection monitoring to document the needs and risks faced by the population of interest.
- Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and individual assessments.
- Identify and document cases of human rights violations, ensuring strict confidentiality and adherence to data protection protocols.
- Support the registration of victims and activities related to Law 1448 (Victims Law) as required by the context.
Case Management & Assistance
- Develop and execute intervention plans for individual protection cases, including the delivery of Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) and referrals to specialized services.
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date records in the protection database, tracking referrals and case outcomes.
- Orient beneficiaries on protection pathways and available state services for rights restitution.
Community Engagement & Capacity Building
- Facilitate focus groups, information sessions, and sensitization campaigns on protection themes and gender-based violence (GBV).
- Strengthen community-based protection networks by training local leaders and organizations.
- Implement differential approaches (gender, age, and ethnicity) in all protection activities.
Coordination & Reporting
- Represent DRC in Local Coordination Spaces (ELC) and humanitarian roundtables, providing technical inputs on conflict dynamics and protection gaps.
- Prepare high-quality inputs for weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports for donors and internal management.
- Collaborate with the Protection Manager to ensure strategic coherence across projects.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for a protection specialist with field experience in conflict zones and a deep understanding of the Colombian legal framework for victims.
Essential Qualifications
- Education: University degree in Law, Political Science, Social Work, International Development, Psychology, or Human Rights.
- Experience: Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in humanitarian protection, human rights, or work with victims of armed conflict.
- Sector Knowledge: Experience working with the National System for Comprehensive Attention and Reparation to Victims (SNARIV).
- Technical Skills: Proven ability in data collection, analysis, and the use of Microsoft Office (Excel/Word).
Desirable Assets
- Field experience with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), survivors of Gender-Based Violence (VBG), and LGBTI populations.
- Knowledge of the territorial context in Norte de Santander/Catatumbo.
- Proficiency in English.
Core Competencies
- Diplomacy: Ability to maintain good relations with stakeholders in a sensitive environment.
- Integrity: Strict adherence to humanitarian principles and anti-fraud policies.
- Adaptability: Willingness to travel to rural areas within the municipality of Ocaña.
Contract & Benefits
- Salary: Starting at $3,502,000 COP (commensurate with experience).
- Benefits: Prepaid medicine (100% coverage for employee), access to training platforms.
- Location: Ocaña, Colombia.
How to Apply
Closing Date: 1 February 2026 (11:59 AM)
To apply, please submit your CV (max 3 pages) and a Cover Letter (1 page) via the official recruitment link.
Note: By applying, you confirm your availability to relocate to or work in Ocaña.
DRC is committed to diversity and inclusion. All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality.