Protection Officer (Lawyer)

Contract

This is a DRC - National contract. More about DRC - National contracts.

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international non-governmental organization, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world.

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 550 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2023 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 Officer (Lawyer) to join the team in Kyiv.

Overall purpose of the role

The Protection Officer (Lawyer) provides legal aid services to people of concern (PoC) and supports the implementation of mobile outreach and awareness-raising initiatives in the "Civil Society Promoting Resilience in Ukraine" project. The project's legal focus is to assist local youth in enhancing skills and confidence, and local women in accessing social benefits within selected communities. The role also involves supporting the Legal Analyst in facilitating trainings for Local Self-Governments (LSGs) to develop youth policy and implement state mechanisms for assisting Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors. The position ensures the delivery of high-quality legal aid services and awareness-raising activities to meet project indicators. Additionally, it involves conducting a training program and capacity-building initiatives within the project.

Main responsibilities

Programming & Operations:

• Provide one-on-one legal counseling to PoC on their legal rights and remedies, focusing on survivors of traumatic events, conflict, and displacement contexts.
• Organize and facilitate legal awareness-raising activities.
• Provide support in obtaining civil documentation, identification documents, and other relevant paperwork essential for the protection of rights and the achievement of durable solutions
• Provide comprehensive legal assistance to enable PoC to access welfare benefits, livelihood opportunities, and government and non-government benefits and privileges.
• Provide in-court representation when necessary.
• As part of the DRC field office staff, assist in conducting assessments.
• Facilitate and follow up on incoming and outgoing protection referral cases.
• Contribute to engaging conflict-affected youth in capacity development within target communities.

Case Management Reporting:

• Create weekly work plan in coordination with the Legal Aid Manager
• Tracking and managing cases
• Provide input for the reporting purposes
• Document findings of needs assessments including preparation of report inputs and other relevant documents
• Assist with maintaining archiving system up to date both in hardcopies and electronically as well as the legal database
• Assist in designing the needed forms, questionnaires and other templates

Coordination:

• Contribute to the development of referral mechanisms for legal matters
• Build strong relationships with PoC by regularly visiting and maintaining frequent contact to better understand their needs
• Foster cooperation with community representatives, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and relevant authorities
• Participate in relevant coordination meetings when delegated by the supervisor

Required experience and competencies

• Excellent knowledge of Ukrainian law
• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience, including experience in legal counselling and delivering training programmes
• (I)NGO experience is preferred
• Experience of working with vulnerable groups and communities
• Analytical, legal writing and research skills
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a high quality, targeted and accessible legal advice
• Good command of English
• Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian
• Proficiency in computer skills and office software packages
• University 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: 3 months with possibility of extension based on available funding.
• Level: Н1.
• Office: Kyiv.
• Start date: January 2, 2024.

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: 27th December 2023

We reserve the right to conduct interviews and select candidates prior to the application deadline.