Protection and Safeguarding Specialist

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 employing over 650 staff 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 and Safeguarding Specialist to join the team in Kyiv, with regular travel to DRCs field bases.

This position will report to the Country Director.

About the job

We are seeking a dedicated professional for the role of Protection and Safeguarding Specialist, responsible for ensuring the safety and protection of individuals receiving humanitarian aid in Ukraine. In this multi-faceted position, you will closely collaborate with the GBV Specialist and Protection Coordinator to uphold the technical quality of DRC’s Gender Based Violence (GBV) and General Protection case management activities. Your responsibilities will include providing GBV case management and other technical trainings to DRC staff, partners, and government social service representatives. Working in tandem with other Protection Coordinator and GBV Specialist, you will provide technical case management supervision to DRC GBV/Protection staff and personnel from partner organisations.

Additionally, in your role as the Safeguarding Specialist, you will work closely with the GBV Specialist to implement DRC’s global safeguarding policies and procedures across our programmes in Ukraine. Your duties will involve delivering comprehensive training sessions on safeguarding principles, including preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH), and ensuring adherence to our Code of Conduct. Join us in making a positive impact on the safety, protection, and well-being of vulnerable individuals receiving humanitarian aid.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Safeguarding and Code of Conduct (40%)

• Develop and deliver tailored safeguarding training materials in collaboration with the GBV Specialist.
• Conduct comprehensive trainings on PSEAH and the DRC Code of Conduct for staff and partners.
• Integrate PSEAH and safeguarding policies into recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of the PSEAH action plan in Ukraine.
• Ensure safe program principles in project design and implementation.
• Enhance community feedback mechanisms for reporting safeguarding issues.
• Strengthen partner safeguarding policies and practices through capacity assessments and support.
• Act as a focal point for the Code of Conduct system and conduct country-wide trainings.
• Represent DRC in safeguarding coordination meetings and working groups.
• Undertake other relevant tasks as assigned by the line manager.

Case Management (60%)

• In collaboration with the GBV Specialist, organise and facilitate GBV case management and other GBV related trainings.
• Support the development of training materials for specialised GBV and GBV case management trainings.
• With technical support from the GBV Specialist and Protection Specialist, provide individual and group case management supervision support to staff providing GBV and General Protection case management activities, including staff from partner organisations and government services.
• Conduct case file reviews and audits of case management files in collaboration with Protection/GBV Managers.
• Coordinate with Protection Managers, to provide coaching/mentoring sessions to staff members providing women and girls safe spaces activities and outreach/awareness raising activities.
• Ensure that DRC GBV and General Protection case management activities are implemented in line with DRC guidance, best practice and minimum standards.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Manager, relevant to the achievement of protection objectives.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have 3 years of experience in in delivering trainings, raising awareness and/or creation of visual materials. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Commitment to gender equality and interest in working in safeguarding.
• Experience in case management is preferred, but not required.
• Experience working in GBV, women’s protection or women’s rights such empowerment programmes, reproductive health, counselling etc.
• Strong facilitation skills and experience in delivering trainings.
• Comfortable in speaking about sensitive topics.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with staff members, and partner organisations.
• 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.
• Strong English language skills.
• Ukrainian language skills required.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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: after three months of probation period an open ended contract.

Band: G non-management 2

Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv

Start date: ASAP

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Employees.