Danish Refugee Council Is Hiring a Child Protection Expert: Apply Now

Danish Refugee Council Is Hiring a Child Protection Expert: Apply Now

In today's complex humanitarian landscape, children affected by conflict, displacement, and crisis face unprecedented risks. From family separation and gender-based violence to recruitment by armed groups and denial of basic rights, child protection has never been more urgent. Recognizing this need, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), in partnership with UNHCR, is expanding its Roving Deployment Scheme and is now hiring a Child Protection Expert to support emergency and protracted refugee operations worldwide.

This opportunity is designed for high-calibre humanitarian professionals with extensive field experience, strong technical expertise, and a passion for safeguarding children in some of the world's most challenging contexts. If you are seeking a senior-level humanitarian role that combines impact, mobility, and collaboration with UN agencies, this position may be your next career-defining move.

Applications are open until 8 February 2026, and only submissions via the official DRC online platform will be considered.

About the Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Founded in 1956, the Danish Refugee Council is one of the world's leading international humanitarian NGOs, working in over 40 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. DRC's mission is to protect lives, dignity, and rights of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other conflict-affected populations.

DRC is internationally recognized for its expertise in:

• Protection and child protection programming
• Emergency response and displacement management
• Durable solutions for refugees and IDPs
• Humanitarian mine action
• Livelihoods and economic recovery

Through strategic partnerships with UN agencies-particularly UNHCR-DRC plays a critical role in global protection responses. The DRC-UNHCR Roving Deployment Scheme is a flagship collaboration that enables rapid, high-level technical support to operations where expertise is urgently needed.

Understanding the DRC-UNHCR Roving Deployment Scheme

The Roving Deployment Scheme is designed to strengthen UNHCR-led protection responses by deploying experienced DRC experts to field operations on a temporary, needs-based basis. These deployments typically support:

• Emergency responses
• Capacity gaps in ongoing operations
• Technical leadership and mentoring
• Strategy development and program quality improvement

As a Child Protection Expert, you will be deployed to various country operations where child protection systems need reinforcement. Assignments may vary in length and location, offering exposure to diverse humanitarian contexts while maintaining a strong institutional framework and support system through DRC.

This role is particularly well-suited for professionals who thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments and are motivated by hands on impact rather than static office based roles.

Key Responsibilities of the Child Protection Expert

While specific duties may vary by deployment, the Child Protection Expert will typically be responsible for the following core functions:

1. Technical Leadership in Child Protection

You will provide senior level technical guidance on child protection programming, ensuring interventions align with international standards, including UNHCR policies, the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) guidelines.

2. Emergency Response and Rapid Assessments

In emergency settings, you may lead or support rapid child protection assessments, identify priority risks, and design immediate response strategies for vulnerable children, including unaccompanied and separated children.

A core component of the role is strengthening the capacity of national and international staff through training, coaching, and mentoring. You will help build sustainable child protection systems within operations.

4. Coordination and Inter Agency Engagement

You will work closely with UNHCR, government counterparts, NGOs, and community based organizations to improve coordination, referral mechanisms, and information sharing related to child protection.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Quality Assurance

The role includes reviewing program quality, supporting monitoring frameworks, and ensuring evidence based programming that delivers measurable outcomes for children.

Who DRC Is Looking For: Candidate Profile

DRC is seeking experienced humanitarian professionals who meet the following requirements:

Educational Background

Candidates must hold a relevant degree in one of the following fields (or a closely related discipline):

Applicants must meet one of the following experience thresholds:

• 6 years of relevant professional experience with an undergraduate degree
• 5 years of relevant professional experience with a graduate degree

Experience should be directly related to child protection, protection programming, or humanitarian response in complex emergencies.

Previous work experience with UNHCR is considered an advantage, particularly familiarity with UNHCR systems, protection frameworks, and coordination mechanisms.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is mandatory
• Proficiency in French or Spanish is highly advantageous
• All applications must be submitted in English

Why This Role Matters

Child protection is not a standalone activity-it is a cornerstone of humanitarian response. Children represent nearly half of the global displaced population, and without targeted protection interventions, their futures are at risk.

By joining the DRC-UNHCR Roving Deployment Scheme, you will:

• Influence high impact humanitarian operations
• Protect children in emergency and displacement settings
• Strengthen national and international child protection systems
• Work alongside experienced UN and NGO professionals
• Gain exposure to diverse contexts and strategic decision making

This is not an entry level position. It is a role for professionals ready to lead, advise, and shape child protection responses at scale.

To be considered for this position, applicants must complete the following steps:

• Apply online via the DRC application system
  Click the "Apply for position" button at the bottom of the official vacancy advertisement.
• Upload required documents:
  • Cover letter (maximum 1 page)
  • Updated UN P11 form
  • Performance evaluation reports (if available)
• Language compliance:
  • Applications must be submitted in English only

Important Note:
DRC will only accept applications submitted through its online platform. Email or late applications will not be considered.

Application Deadline

Applications will be received and screened on a rolling basis until 8 February 2026.

Early applications are strongly encouraged, as screening may begin before the deadline.

Final Thoughts: Is This Opportunity Right for You?

If you are an experienced child protection professional seeking meaningful, high level humanitarian work with global reach, the DRC-UNHCR Child Protection Expert role offers a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact.

This position is ideal for individuals who:

• Are comfortable working in high risk, rapidly changing environments
• Possess strong technical expertise and leadership skills
• Believe in rights based, child centered humanitarian action
• Want to contribute to some of the most critical refugee responses worldwide

With DRC's strong institutional support and UNHCR's global mandate, this role places you at the heart of international child protection efforts-where your experience can truly change lives.