Protection Officer

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 Legal Officer for its activities in Chernihiv oblast.

This position will report to the Protection Manager.

Overall purpose of the role:

Under the management of the Protection Team Leader, the Legal Officer is responsible for:

• Deliver high quality legal aid services to the beneficiaries;
• Contribute towards enhancing DRC’s capacity to carry on evidence-based advocacy;
• Contribute towards implementation of high-quality mobile outreach program and awareness raising program,
• Ensure the quality of the planning, implementation and follow up of all technical aspects of the sector activities being implemented by DRC,
• Develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern, relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of DRC’s sector activities.

Main responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Protection Manager, the Legal Officer will:

• Provide high quality one-on-one legal counseling to conflict-affected population on their legal rights and remedies in the displacement context
• Organize and facilitate community-level group awareness-raising programs on recent legal developments addressing the information and legal needs of IDPs and conflict-affected populations
• Provide administrative and other para-legal assistance to enable IDP and conflict-affected population to access welfare benefits, livelihood opportunities and government and non-government benefits and privileges
• Support preparation of monthly/quarterly/annual highlights/reports
• Participate in coaching and capacity building of the implementing partners
• Contribute contextual and needs analysis as well as recommendations/feedback relevant to developing new programmatic avenues and innovative approaches
• Participate in analyzing legal issues for drafting information materials, advocacy letters, briefing notes,
• Assist in conducting legal and protection assessments as part of DRC field office staff
• Facilitate and follow up incoming and outgoing protection referral cases
• Represent DRC at meetings and other relevant technical coordination meetings
• Coordinate with other departments in DRC to facilitate referrals and information sharing
• Contribute to and provide field-related inputs for proposals for funding for new projects
• Provide regular reports to the Protection Manager
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Protection Manager relevant to the achievement of protection objectives.

Required experience and competencies:

• Minimum two (2) years of proven legal experience, preferably in the field of humanitarian response for an NGO
• License to practice law
• Experience working with vulnerable and conflict-affected people.
• Comfortable in speaking about sensitive topics and working with people in distress.
• 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 and Russian language skills required.

Required education:

• Bachelors degree in law.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer:
Contract length: Open-ended contract upon successful completion of the three-month probation period.
Level: H
Designation of Duty Station: Chernihiv
Start date: As soon as possible.

THIS IS A NATIONAL POSITION, ONLY UKRAINIAN CITIZENS WILL BE CONSIDERED. 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 sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: July 26th.

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.