Protection Specialist (Legal Aid)

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 600 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.

Overall purpose of the role: (1-2 sentences)

The Project Lead supports the Legal Manager in leading, coordinating and overseeing all legal research, analysis and advocacy works within the LAU program. The position ensures that high quality legal research and analysis are available for supporting DRC’s advocacy and DRC partners` advocacy, training and capacity building initiatives. The Project Lead is also responsible for establishing DRC’s strong presence in HLP, GBV, livelihoods and social protection legislative advocacy. The role supports advocacy efforts through facilitating and coordinating legal analysis, roundtable discussions, bilateral meetings and publication of analytical materials. Project Lead provides support and/or technical guidance on legal works in GBV, livelihoods, HLP, social protection and mine action activities of the organization. This role also has a strong focus on protection of rights and freedoms of IDPs and youth-policy related advocacy. The role requires some travel to field locations.

Responsibilities:

Thematic research, legal analysis and reporting

• Responsible for research and analysis, advocacy vectors and thematic reports. Supervision over the legal analysis team.
• Work in close coordination with the Legal Manager to ensure that research, analysis, drafting, editing and publishing of all project related materials comply with DRC standards and are completed on time.
• In active consultation with the program manager responsible for planning, collecting, and drafting and publication of the monthly Legal Alert and providing inputs for the Legislative Framework Index and Advocacy Planning Matrix.
• Where appropriate, provide ad hoc and regular legal analysis for and maintain the platform for the exchange of legal information and analytics, and responsible for planning, collecting, drafting and designing information materials as well as analytical passages for the DRC Digital Legal Aid Platform.
• Initiate the development, draft, review and supervise over the development of legal and information materials including position papers, briefing notes, advocacy letters and leaflets.
• Responsible for providing thematic input for proposal and donor reporting.
• Conduct research and analysis and thematic reports on issues assigned by the Legal Manager.
• Provide legal and conflict context analysis to any DRC program as assigned by the Legal Manager.
• Responsible for drafting legal opinion, in consultation with the Legal Manager, sought by donor, DRC managerial staff and external partners.
• Ensure timely and high-quality production and dissemination of information materials and training products on relevant legal issues, inter alia, livelihoods, GBV, HLP, social protection etc.
• Draft or review literature used for training and capacity – building activities.
• Responsible for quality control of legal and analytical works and undertaken advocacy initiatives by DRC advocacy officer

Coordination, representation training and advocacy

• Create and maintain a network of major advocacy stakeholders at the local, regional and national level on thematic areas identified in coordination with the Legal Manager and Advocacy Coordinator. Coordinate and supervise advocacy activities undertaken by the partnering organizations as well as oversee partners` legal analysis if needed.
• Support communication and coordination with relevant DRC departments, programs as well as Implementing Partners within the project.
• Make or coordinate field visits in coordination with field lawyers to observe the trends, gather data and facts for advocacy.
• In coordination with the Legal Manager, coordinates and oversees work of Program Officers responsible for legal analysis and advocacy on relevant legal issues.
• When necessary, in conjunction with the Legal Manager, responsible for selecting and supervising external consultants on thematic research.
• Represent DRC in humanitarian, public, private forums and other events as assigned by the Legal Manager.
• Lead DRC advocacy initiatives in relevant areas such as HLP, GBV, livelihoods, social protection, mine action etc.
• Undertake other advocacy initiatives assigned by the Legal Manager.
• Facilitate training, on thematic legal issues for lawyers, local government, youth actors, CSO actors and other relevant stakeholders at the local and national level.
• Perform as a resource person for training programs and drafting training materials.
• Ensure technical coordination and supervision of legal staff involved in advocacy activities.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 3 years of practical experience in legal sector
• Strong legal background
• Complete knowledge of the conflict and displacement related legal, policy and political developments of the last four years
• Strong skill on critical analysis of law
• Advanced written skill in English
• Representation and public speaking skill in English
• Experience of and strong skills in developing and implementing project strategies and advocacy campaigns
• Experience in producing high-quality technical and advocacy materials (training material, program tools, proposals, advocacy and strategic documents etc.)
• Extensive knowledge of national legislation pertaining to rights of IDPs and conflict-affected population
• Good knowledge of human rights and international humanitarian law
• Excellent skills in cooperation and advocacy towards government officials

Education:

• University degree in Law/International Law/Human Rights or other relevant field

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 with the extension based on satisfactory probation period.
• Band: G non managerial
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv
• Start date: December 2023

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

Closing date for applications: 5th November 2023