Protection Specialist (Gender Based Violence Specialist)

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 addressing the needs of vulnerable communities, particularly in conflict zones. The organization has been operational in Ukraine since 2014, employing over 800 staff members who work across various sectors including Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding. DRC's mission is to adapt its strategies to the evolving context of displacement, ensuring that its interventions are effective and responsive to the needs of affected populations. The organization collaborates with civil society organizations (CSOs) and other stakeholders to enhance its impact and reach.

Job Overview:
As the Gender Based Violence (GBV) Specialist, you will play a crucial role in leading and advising on the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of DRC’s GBV activities in Ukraine. This position requires a strong focus on ensuring the technical quality of GBV prevention and response activities, which include case management, psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support, awareness-raising, and capacity-building initiatives. You will work closely with the Protection Technical Lead and will be expected to engage in regular field visits to various areas of intervention across Ukraine. Your leadership will be essential in aligning DRC’s GBV programming with regional and internal strategies, fostering collaboration with other sectors within DRC, and developing tools and guidelines that adhere to international standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your main duties will include ensuring that DRC’s GBV programming aligns with both regional and internal strategies by attending relevant coordination meetings, including GBV sub-cluster meetings. You will be responsible for developing strong relationships with GBV and related actors, including CSOs, and will work collaboratively with various sectors within DRC to implement joint activities and mainstream GBV risk mitigation measures. Additionally, you will lead the development of DRC’s GBV strategy at the country level, create necessary tools and guidelines for the protection team, and regularly review emerging evidence from international standards to ensure best practices are followed. You will provide direct technical supervision to the protection team, ensuring that all GBV programming is responsive to the needs of women and girls. This includes developing and facilitating training on core gender and GBV concepts, coordinating with relevant stakeholders, maintaining a service mapping, and supporting the protection managers in identifying context-specific activities. You will also contribute to the development of Information, Education & Communication (IEC) materials and assist the Psycho-Social Support (PSS) team in creating gender-sensitive modules. Furthermore, you will design assessment tools and coordinate data collection and analysis for monitoring and evaluation purposes. Administrative responsibilities will include submitting Purchase Requisitions and coordinating with other departments to ensure effective resource use.

Required Qualifications:
To qualify for this position, you must possess a University (BA/BSc) degree in a relevant field such as gender studies or social work, along with evidence of further specialist training. Practical experience in GBV/SRH work is essential, including case management, prevention activities, and community engagement. You should have previous experience working with displaced and conflict-affected communities, particularly in running GBV prevention curricula and providing services in village settings. A solid background in building staff capacity is also required, along with advanced English proficiency (C1).

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a University degree (BA/BSc) in a relevant field, such as gender studies, social work, or a related discipline. Additionally, candidates should have evidence of further specialist training that enhances their qualifications for working in GBV and protection sectors.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 3 years of relevant experience working with protection, health, humanitarian, or development organizations, with a minimum of 1 year specifically focused on GBV case management. This experience should demonstrate a strong understanding of the complexities involved in working with vulnerable populations in challenging environments.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory, with a requirement of at least C1 level. While English is the primary language for this position, knowledge of additional languages relevant to the local context may be considered an asset, enhancing communication with diverse communities.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a contract length of 12 months, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability after a successful 3-month probation period. The role is categorized as Band G – non-managerial, and the designated duty station is Kyiv, with regular field visits to intervention areas across Ukraine. The expected start date for this position is May 202

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national contracts. Applicants are required to submit a cover letter and an updated CV in English, with applications sent via email not being considered. The closing date for applications is set for 18th March 2026, and candidates are encouraged to apply promptly as interviews may be conducted on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to select a candidate before the vacancy closes if a suitable candidate is identified.