Advocacy Legal Officer

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international non-governmental organization, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world.

DRC Ukraine is looking for a highly qualified Advocacy Legal Officer for it’s office based in Kyiv.

Advocacy Legal Officer is going to be a part of DRC Legal Unit team and will be responsible for implementation of the activities envisaged under the advocacy components of the project. ALO will coordinate the process liaising with the business sector representatives in Donetsk, Luhansk, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhya Oblasts to identify key advocacy issues and obstacles hindering economic development of Ukraine and design and lead advocacy interventions to address those issues. ALO’s responsibility will be to develop position papers and draft laws, organize and participate in roundtable discussions and deliver key advocacy players on the local and national level.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• In close cooperation with DRC Livelihoods program (including Livelihoods Program Manager and National Project Manager) act as a focal point for the advocacy activities envisaged by the project, with the aim to improve Ukrainian legislation related with business and economic development.
• Establish liaison with key governmental and non-governmental stakeholders for the advocacy initiatives envisaged by the project.
• Support in drafting position papers, legal recommendations, draft laws, etc. as per requirements of the advocacy process.
• Establish ties with the local businesses in the project targeted areas, including with the local chambers of commerce, in order to identify key advocacy issues for the business community.
• In close cooperation with DRC Livelihoods program (including Livelihoods Program Manager and National Project Manager) assist in the implementation of the micro-business/self-employment and job creation grants, vocational education training, institutional capacity building and community development components of the program.
• Contribute to the identification process of the Legal and Livelihoods program’s beneficiaries.
• Provide qualitative guidance and legal analysis whenever needed for the use by the legal unit, its lawyers, managers and external network members.
• Provide statistical and narrative analysis of main trends and identified issues on thematic areas covered by the Legal and Livelihoods programs.
• Support in information dissemination and outreach activities to ensure active participation of the beneficiaries within DRC programs, particularly Legal and Livelihoods programs; contribute to training programs of DRC, including the Legal and Livelihoods programs.
• Compile national and international law relevant to DRC programs particularly Legal and Livelihoods program.
• Compile legal and administrative processes and practices in relation to the laws and regulation relevant to the protection of the rights of IDPs, refugee, stateless persons, as well as the functioning of small and medium entrepreneurs (SME).
• Conduct legal research and write thematic reports on issues identified by the Legal Unit.
• Systematically collect information through the lawyers, monitors and other field actors for use in evidenced based advocacy and other purposes.
• Attend and participate in relevant coordination meetings.
• Prepare survey and other fact finding and documentation reports, coordination meeting minutes, statistics and other communication materials to support internal flow of information.
• Participate and contribute to round tables and other events of the Legal and Livelihoods programs.
• Cooperate with UN agencies, INGO’s and national NGO’s as needed.
• Understand, and ensure the observance of the DRC Code of Conduct.
• In cooperation with the LSG project lead, undertake research and analysis with regards to LSG’s current and potential social and economic initiatives.
• In cooperation with the LSG project lead, prepare information and training materials for LSG network events and training programs.

About you

We expect you to have at least 3 years of overall working experience, at least 1 year of working experience within an international humanitarian/development organization.

Required experience and competencies

• Advanced university degree in law, policy analysis, public/business administration, or other related field;
• Proven experience of drafting position papers and draft laws;
• Proven experience in collaboration with local and national government;
• Experience in advocacy campaigning.
• Good knowledge of Ukrainian legislation related with business activities and economic development;
• Good knowledge of livelihoods interventions in Ukrainian context, understanding of possible durable solutions for conflict-affected population;
• Understanding of the Ukrainian legislation on IDP integration strategy and regional development;
• Understanding of Humanitarian International Law, as well as business development and European Law;
• Good communication, presentation and reporting skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
• Full working proficiency in both oral and written English, Ukrainian and Russian (equally important).

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: till 30.06.2022 with possibility of extension based on available funding.

Level H

Start date: ASAP

The application is open for Ukraine citizens only. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff.

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.