Protection Specialist – National contract

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 650 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2024 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 Specialist in Kyiv.

Overall purpose of the role:

The protection specialist 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, the specialist 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.

Your main responsibilities will be

Capacity building and training to DRC protection teams
• In coordination with DRC’s protection coordinator, 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 TLs 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.

Key stakeholders:

• Technical coordinators, area program managers, sector managers, MEAL team, etc.
• National implementing partners

Reporting:

Protection Specialist reports to: Head of Programme.

Direct reports to Protection Specialist**:** N/A

To be successful in this role as a Protection Specialist we expect you to have Bachelor’s degree in international relations, social work, law or another relevant field**, at least 2-3 years of experience** implementing protection programming in complex crises, at least 2 years of experience with people management and full professional proficiency in English and Ukrainian.

Moreover, we expect:
• 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

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: One-year contract (until 01 February 2025) following the successful completion of an initial 3-month probation period
Band: G non-management
Duty Station: Kyiv (with at least 50% travel to DRC’s area office)
Start date: 01 March 2024

This position is open to national applicants only. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment; please refer to www.drc.ngo under Vacancies.