Community-Based Protection Advisor, UNHCR, NORCAP

NORCAP works to improve aid to better protect and empower people affected by crisis and climate change. We do this by providing expertise and solutions to humanitarian, development and peacebuilding partners, because we believe working together is the best way to reduce needs, risks and vulnerability over time. We seek and promote more effective ways of working at the global level and in the field. NORCAP’s aim is not only to reduce needs, but also to create choice and opportunity for vulnerable people.  

NORCAP works with and through our partners to improve aid in two complementary ways:  

• We provide targeted expertise to strengthen our partners’ response.  
• We collaborate with partners to develop solutions to un-met gaps and challenges.

  In line with this mission, NORCAP is partnering with the Protection Cluster in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to support efforts in strengthening community-based protection and peacebuilding mechanisms. The DRC continues to face one of the world’s most neglected humanitarian crises, with escalating conflict in the east, widespread displacement, and the phased withdrawal of MONUSCO. These dynamics have heightened protection risks and underscored the urgent need for sustainable, community-led protection strategies.

  The community-based protection advisor, together with the protection cluster coordinator, will work in close collaboration with the Global Protection Cluster on advancing protection negotiations and community-led negotiations. This position will play a key role in bridging the gap between frontline negotiation efforts and senior leadership advocacy through capacity building, strategic accompaniment, and coordinated action.

  To support this critical work, we are seeking a Community-Based Protection Advisor to be based in Goma, Nord Kivu, for a 12-month assignment. The advisor will report to the Senior Protection Cluster Coordination Officer and work closely with local and international partners across the eastern provinces.

  As the Community-Based Protection Advisor, you will take on the following responsibilities:

  • Support the harmonisation and implementation of community-based protection approaches with cluster members and local actors, including with peacebuilding and human rights actors.
  • Map existing community-based protection mechanisms across Ituri, Nord Kivu, and Sud Kivu.
  • Develop common tools, guidelines, and strategic orientations for community-based protection.
  • Strengthen community alert systems, particularly in the context of MONUSCO’s withdrawal.
  • Provide capacity-building and coordination support to local protection actors and community structures.
  • Deliver workshops and capacity-building initiatives on community-based protection, self-protection, mediation, negotiations, early warning and peacebuilding.
  • Liaise with local authorities to promote the adoption of harmonised frameworks for community protection.
  • Conduct ongoing analysis of community dynamics and sensitivities to inform protection strategies.
  • Foster inclusive engagement with community leaders, women’s groups, youth, and other local stakeholders.

    To excel in this role, candidates should possess the following qualifications and skills:

    • Advanced university degree in protection, humanitarian affairs, social work, human rights, or a related field.
    • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in humanitarian settings, including international field work and coordination roles.
    • Proven expertise in community self-protection, protection of civilians, and protection negotiations.
    • Strong understanding of the humanitarian architecture in the DRC and experience working in complex, conflict-affected environments.
    • Fluency in French and English is required. Swahili is an added value. 
    • Please read the attached terms of reference for more details before applying.

      Competencies

      📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

      ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

      The main competencies of a NORCAP Expert are:

    • Building working relationships
  • Planning and organising
• Adaptability

What We Offer

In recognition of your expertise and contributions, we provide the following benefits and opportunities:

How to Apply

Based on what you have read so far, do you think you could be a good fit? If so, please follow these steps and apply!

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.

We look forward to receiving your application!