Protection Specialist

Programme & Policy

Overview

Join DRC as a Protection Specialist in Kyiv to support and train teams on protection programming.

You have:

• At least 2-3 years of experience implementing protection programming in complex crises.
• At least 2 years of experience with people management.
• Bachelor's degree in international relations, social work, law or another relevant field.
• Knowledge and experience implementing protection programming in the areas of GBV, general protection, and PSS.
• Proven experience in capacity building and training of national staff and local partners.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft office.
• Full professional proficiency in English and Ukrainian.

Contract

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

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 800 staff in Ukraine and implements 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 highly-qualified Protection Specialist to join our team in Kyiv.

About the role:

As the Protection Specialist, you will be an integral part of DRC’s program team, ensuring that protection teams are supported with the relevant training and capacity building to thrive in their roles and implement high quality protection response across DRC’s areas of intervention. In addition, you will support in capacity assessments and capacity building of partners, duty-bearers, and CBOs (community-based organizations) to enable them to deliver protection programming to relevant standards and achieve their goals in respect to protection response to vulnerable populations.

• Reporting to: Protection Technical Lead
• Direct reports: N/A

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Capacity building and training to DRC protection teams

• In coordination with DRC’s protection technical lead, specialists, and managers, the specialist will support protection teams with capacity building, mentorship, and technical support. The specialist will work with managers and the DRC protection coordinator to develop and implement training plans alongside the necessary tools, guidelines, SOPs and presentations in order for protection teams to have robust technical capacity which aligns with DRC and global standards.
• In coordination with protection managers and area program managers/area managers, support team leaders in covering for managers, and support managers in building the capacity of team leaders to have the capability to take on increasing responsibility. To achieve this, develop clear performance plans with dedicated milestones, regularly reviewing these with managers and team leaders against planned progress.

Capacity building, mentorship, and support for DRC partners and government service providers/duty-bearers, and CBOs

• In coordination with DRC’s partnership unit, conduct capacity assessments with protection implementing partners and utilize the results to formulate training and mentorship plans for partners.
• Support partners, duty-bearers, and CBOs in understanding and applying the relevant DRC and donor guidelines, and compliance and technical standards for projects
• Based on partner’s ongoing and planned programming, and organizational mandates and strategies, outline the key areas where partners require guidance and support to meet national and global standards.
• Conduct regular follow-up meetings and field visits with partners and contribute to the implementation of capacity building and training plans.
• In coordination with the MEAL and partnership teams, conduct regular monitoring visits of partners and debrief with partners on progress, challenges, and required support needs.
• Liaise with partners regularly on ongoing challenges, successes, and lessons learned, to provide the relevant support with partners for them to success with ongoing.
• Support in the provision of high-quality training to government service providers/duty-bearers, partners, and CBOs as defined in DRC’s protection and country strategy.

About you

To succeed in this role, we expect you to have at least 2-3 years of experience implementing protection programming in complex crises and at least 2 years of experience with people management.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Bachelor's degree in international relations, social work, law or another relevant field.
• Knowledge and experience implementing protection programming in the areas of GBV, general protection, and PSS
• Previous proven experience in programs implemented through local partners or in remote management
• Proven experience in capacity building and training of national staff and local partners
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft office
• Full professional proficiency in English and Ukrainian

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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

• Contract length: 3 months probation period, with the possibility of extension based on performance and available funding
• Band: G - non-managerial
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv
• Start date: asap

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national contracts; please refer to our website for more details.

Application process

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

A****pplications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 16th June 2025

We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible, interviews might be conducted on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to select candidate before the vacancy close date once a suitable candidate has been identified.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: drc.ngo