Protection Officer (Legal Aid Officer)

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a prominent protection agency established to advocate for and promote durable solutions for populations affected by displacement. Since its inception, DRC has been dedicated to providing assistance and protection to those in need, particularly in conflict zones. The organization has been operational in Ukraine since 2014 and has grown significantly, currently employing over 800 staff members across the country. DRC's work encompasses various sectors, including emergency response in Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding, which includes humanitarian mine action. The organization employs a multifaceted approach that includes direct interventions, support to duty bearers, and partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs). DRC is committed to adapting its durable solutions portfolio to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves, ensuring that its programs remain relevant and effective in addressing the challenges faced by displaced populations.

Job Overview:
The Protection Officer (Legal Aid Officer) plays a crucial role within the DRC, operating under the guidance of the Protection Manager. This position is primarily focused on delivering high-quality legal aid services to beneficiaries, which is essential for enhancing DRC's capacity for evidence-based advocacy. The officer is responsible for implementing mobile outreach and awareness-raising programs that are vital for informing and assisting the affected populations. The role requires a strong commitment to ensuring the quality of planning, implementation, and follow-up of all technical aspects of the sector activities carried out by DRC. Additionally, the Legal Aid Officer must develop and maintain positive relationships with persons of concern, relevant stakeholders, and other humanitarian actors to facilitate effective coordination and implementation of DRC's activities in the protection sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Protection Officer (Legal Aid Officer) has a comprehensive set of responsibilities that include: providing high-quality one-on-one legal counseling to conflict-affected populations regarding their legal rights and remedies in the context of displacement; organizing and facilitating community-level group awareness-raising programs to address the legal needs of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and conflict-affected populations; offering administrative and para-legal assistance to help IDPs access welfare benefits, livelihood opportunities, and other government and non-government benefits; preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual reports highlighting the activities and outcomes of the legal aid services; participating in the coaching and capacity building of implementing partners; contributing to contextual and needs analysis, along with recommendations for developing new programmatic avenues; analyzing legal issues to draft information materials, advocacy letters, and briefing notes; conducting legal and protection assessments as part of DRC's field office staff; facilitating and following up on incoming and outgoing protection referral cases; representing DRC at relevant meetings and technical coordination gatherings; coordinating with other DRC departments to facilitate referrals and information sharing; providing field-related inputs for funding proposals for new projects; and reporting regularly to the Protection Manager. The officer may also be assigned additional duties by the Protection Manager that align with the achievement of protection objectives.

Required Qualifications:
To be considered for the position of Protection Officer (Legal Aid Officer), candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in law and have a minimum of two years of proven legal experience, preferably within the humanitarian response sector for an NGO. Candidates should have experience working with vulnerable and conflict-affected populations and be comfortable discussing sensitive topics with individuals in distress. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, as the role requires effective interaction with vulnerable individuals, staff members, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. A strong sense of personal integrity, confidentiality, and ethics is crucial. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, and Windows operating systems is required. Ukrainian language skills are mandatory, while a license to practice law is considered an advantage. Good English language skills are preferred, along with excellent organizational and time management abilities to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities effectively.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Protection Officer (Legal Aid Officer) position includes a Bachelor's degree in law. This foundational education is critical for understanding legal principles and frameworks that govern the rights of individuals, particularly in the context of displacement and humanitarian response. The degree should ideally be complemented by practical experience in legal settings, especially those involving vulnerable populations.

Experience:
Candidates for the Protection Officer (Legal Aid Officer) position should have a minimum of two years of proven legal experience. This experience should preferably be in the field of humanitarian response, particularly within non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The role demands familiarity with the legal challenges faced by conflict-affected individuals and the ability to provide effective legal support and advocacy in these contexts.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is proficiency in the Ukrainian language, as it is essential for communicating effectively with the local population and understanding their legal needs. Additionally, good English language skills are preferred, which would facilitate communication with international stakeholders and enhance the officer's ability to engage in broader advocacy efforts.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a contract length that begins with a three-month probationary period, after which there is a possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. The role is classified at Level H, which is a non-managerial designation. The duty station for this position is Sloviansk, and the start date is as soon as possible. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council's Terms of Employment for national staff. Applicants are required to upload a cover letter and an updated CV, which should not exceed four pages in English. Applications sent via email will not be considered. The closing date for applications is February 09, 2026, and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as interviews may be conducted on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to select a candidate before the vacancy close date if a suitable candidate is identified.