Protection Assistant

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations.

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 700 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2024 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

DRC is currently looking for a Protection Assistant for its activities in Mykolaiv.

This position will be supervised by the Protection Officer and line managed by the Protection Team Leader.

About the job:

Under the supervision of the Protection officer, the Protection Assistant will implement quality protection monitoring activities, deliver information sessions and key messaging, identify and support individuals at risk as well as conduct community-based protection activities. S/he will work closely with communities, civil society organizations (CSOs), and government services to identify vulnerable individuals in need of support, conduct service mapping, and share information about services available. S/he will be based in Mykolaiv DRC office, with field activities in Mykolaivska and Khersonska oblasts.Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Implement programme activities related to protection monitoring activities
• Carry out service mapping to identify the available services in the community. Build and maintain relationships with relevant governmental and non-governmental service providers to support safe referrals.
• Identify and communicate with Protection Officer on protection risks and monitoring needs in designated areas. Ensure to collect both quantitative and qualitative information and data, through using the different protection monitoring tools.
• Organize and conduct outreach activities, including dissemination of key messages, distribution of IEC materials, and conduction of information sessions, tailored to needs identified through protection monitoring
• Hold regular meetings with community-based groups/networks and assist in the development of ‘community action plans’ to address protection concerns. Build the capacity of local actors and key community members on key topics, such as protection mainstreaming and safe referrals.
• Contribute to the quality of DRC’s community-based approach by effectively identifying and coordinating with community stakeholders, key informants and community members.
• Mobilize and build strong rapport with communities through consistent engagement with community-based structures and adhering to dignified, culturally sensitive approaches. Support community-based structures by facilitating meaningful group dialogue and mentoring participants to self-identify protection concerns that affect their communities.
• Coordinate with other departments in DRC to facilitate referrals and information sharing.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Protection Team Leader and/or Protection Manager, relevant to the achievement of protection objectives.

About you:

• Completion of secondary school, or relevant level of experience required. University study preferred.
• Candidates without a background working with vulnerable groups or social work but an interest in the area, are encouraged to apply as on the job training will be provided.
• Comfortable in speaking about sensitive topics and working with people in distress.
• Familiarity with social work is preferred but not required.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with vulnerable individuals, staff members, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong sense of personal integrity and understanding of confidentiality and ethics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems.
• Good English language skills preferred.
• Ukrainian language skills required.

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 act in line with our vision and values.

We offer:
Contract length: open ended contract after 3 month probation period.
Level: I non Manager
Designation of Duty Station: Mykolaiv - Full time based
Start date: As soon as possible.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.

Application process:

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages in English).

Applications are open until 21st May 2024

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

We reserve the right to conduct further interviews before the deadline for submission of applications.

Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world - and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 40 countries, we protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.

By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of around 8000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development

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 and we consider all applicants regardless of race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status. We have a strong ambition to further enhance the diversity of our workforce and our goal is to achieve 50% gender balance and at least 50% representation of national staff in management roles. We acknowledge the importance of fostering a diverse and inclusive team to successfully achieve our organizational goals and positively impact the communities we serve.