Protection Assistant (Lawyer)

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 qualified Protection Assistant (Lawyer) for the office based in Lviv.

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.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

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.

About you

We expect you to have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience, including experience in legal counseling.

Required experience and competencies:

• University degree in Law.
• 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.

We offer

Contract length: till 28 Feb 2023 (with 3 months’ probation period) with possibility of extension based on available funding.

Level I2

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.

Closing date for applications: 25 August 2022

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.