Protection Assistant (Lawyer)

Danish Refugee Council,one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is present in Ukraine since 2014 and currently responding to the evolving humanitarian crisis – providing support in the various sectors including Protection, Economic Recovery, Humanitarian Disarmament & Peacebuilding, Shelter & Settlements and others.

DRC is looking for Protection Assistant (Lawyer) to join our team in Dnipro.

Overall purpose of the role:
• 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.
Geographic scope: Base (Dnipro)
This role has an area focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the development of area strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to base operations.

Main responsibilities:
Programming & Operations:
• Provide one-on-one legal counseling, legal assistance to IDPs and other conflict-affected population on their legal rights and remedies in the context conflict and displacement contexts.
• Facilitate IDPs and other conflict-affected population in receiving information on shelter/asylum, restoring civil documentation, identification documents and other documents relevant to protection of their rights and achievement of durable solution.
• Organize and facilitate awareness-raising sessions on recent legal developments addressing the information and legal needs of IDPs and other conflict-affected people.
• Provide in-court representation where necessary.
• Assist in conducting legal and protection assessments as part of DRC field or office staff.
• Facilitate and follow up incoming and outgoing protection referral cases.
• Provide administrative and other para-legal assistance to enable IDP and other conflict-affected population to access welfare benefits, livelihood opportunities and government and non-government benefits and privileges.
• Support organizing of public events as meeting, roundtables, technical working groups and participated in such events in behalf of DRC.
• Any other functions to be assigned by the Protection Team Leader or the Protection Officer in charge.
• Comply with all relevant DRC policies and procedures.
• Understand, and ensure the observance of the DRC Code of Conduct.

Case Management Reporting
• Create weekly work plan in coordination with the Protection Officer.
• Tracking and managing cases.
• Provide input for the monthly report.
• Document findings of needs assessments; including preparation of reports and other relevant documents.
• Assist with maintaining archiving system up to date (both in hardcopies and electronically).
• Assist in designing the needed forms, questionnaires and other templates.

Coordination
• Contribute to the development of referral mechanisms for legal matters.
• Establish excellent relations with beneficiaries, including understanding the needs of beneficiaries through regular visits and frequent contact with actual and potential beneficiaries.
• Assist in providing information to and cooperation with community representatives and relevant authorities.
• Attend and participate coordination meetings when delegated by supervisor.

Required experience and competencies
• Excellent knowledge of Ukrainian law.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant professional experience, including experience in legal counseling.
• (I)NGO experience is preferred.
• Public speaking experience.
• Experience of working with vulnerable groups and communities.
• Good communication, analytical, legal writing and research skills.
• Ability to provide a high quality, targeted and accessible legal advice.
• English – Intermediate or Upper-Intermediate level.
• Perfect command of Ukrainian and Russian.
• Confident user of computers and office software packages.

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.

Required education
University degree in Law.

We offer:

Contract length: 3 months renewable depending on performance and funding.

Level: I non-Manager

Duty Station: Dnipro

Start date: As soon as possible.

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

Fixed-term Labor Contract.

Medical and Life Insurance

.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: October 12, 2022