Humanitarian Mine Action Specialist (Legal and Advocacy)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has been operating in Ukraine since 2014 and is currently scaling up its operation in Ukraine to deliver lifesaving assistance and emergency response to people affected by the war.

The overall purpose of the role

The Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) Specialist (Legal and Advocacy) develops high quality legal research and analysis work that aims to support the humanitarian mine action sector in Ukraine to work more efficiently and effectively, and to inform advocacy towards this objective.  The role supports the HMA policy change and advocacy efforts of the organization through legal analysis, roundtable discussions, bilateral meetings and publication of analytical materials. The HMA Specialist (Legal and Advocacy)  provides support and/or technical guidance on legal works, with a particular focus on mine action activities of the organization. The role may require some travel to field locations.

Responsibilities:

Thematic research, legal analysis and reporting

• Responsible for research and analysis, advocacy vectors and thematic reports, with a particular focus on humanitarian mine action (HMA) in Ukraine.
• Review all existing laws, by-laws and amendments to legislation on mine action in Ukraine and develop advocacy recommendations that would strengthen the existing legislative framework.
• Plan, collect, draft and publish legal alerts and briefing and advocacy notes on mine action and disseminate them among national and international stakeholders.
• Work in close coordination with the Head of HDP and the Program Manager (LAU- Legal Assistance Unit)  to ensure that research, analysis, drafting, editing and publishing of all project related materials comply with DRC standards and are completed on time.
• Responsible for providing thematic input for proposal and donor reporting.
• Conduct research and analysis and thematic reports on issues assigned by the Head of HDP.
• Responsible for drafting legal opinion, in consultation with the LAU program manager, as required by the HDP unit.
• Ensure timely and high-quality production and dissemination information of materials and training products on Mine Action policy-related legislation.

Coordination, representation training and advocacy

• Create and maintain a network of major advocacy stakeholders on mine action.
• Represent DRC in humanitarian and public forums in Ukraine, as assigned by the Head of HDP. This may include but is not limited to UNDP-led Mine Action Sub-Cluster meetings; specific MA Working Group meetings.
• Coordinate advocacy efforts with other mine action stakeholders on the improvement of HMA policies and procedures such as National Mine Action Standards (NMAS), national HMA strategy and amending MA Law; provide recommendations on MA legislation prior to submission to the National Mine Action Authority and other relevant government institutions, as required.
• Undertake other advocacy initiatives assigned by the Head of HDP.
• Organise legal workshops aiming to support the National Mine Action Authority and National Mine Action Centers in refining the currently underdeveloped elements of the Mine Action Law.
• Undertake field visits in coordination with the HDP Managers to gather data and facts for advocacy, as required.

On occasion, may be tasked to support or contribute to other DRC legal or advocacy initiatives not related to mine action.

Key Deliverables: 

• Regular planning, research, legal analysis and reporting regarding HMA legislation.
• Cooperation with national, regional  and local  level stakeholders
• Contribution to the development and implementation of the project strategy
• Responsible for implementation of project activities related to legal analysis and advocacy.
• Translate key and relevant legal documents from Ukrainian to English

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

Essential

• Minimum 5 years of practical experience in the legal sector
• Strong background in public law
• Strong skills on critical analysis of law
• Advanced written skills in English
• Experience of and strong skills in developing and implementing project strategies and advocacy campaigns.
• Experience in producing high-quality technical and advocacy material (training material, programme tools, proposals, advocacy and strategic documents etc.)
• Extensive knowledge of Ukrainian national legislation;

Desirables

• Representation and public speaking skills in English
• Knowledge of mine action related legal, policy and political  developments of the last four years is desirable
• Excellent writing and editing skills for external audiences (including governments and donors).
• Proven skills in cooperation and advocacy towards government officials.
• Good knowledge of human rights and international humanitarian law.
• Deep understanding of the humanitarian architecture

Education/qualifications:

• University degree in Public Law or similar.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Full professional proficiency in English;
• Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian.

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• National Mine Action Authority (NMAA), National Mine Action Centres, relevant government ministries.
• DRC-HDP Program Managerss including Capacity Building,  Explosive Ordnance Risk Education/ Victim Assistance and demining
• DRC Protection, Legal Aid, Economic Recovery and Capacity Building Sector Leads
• UNDP, mine action stakeholders, international NGOs

We offer

Contract length: XX  months

Band:           G – NON-Manager

Start date:   March 2023

Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for international staff or DRC National Staff salary scale.  

Application process

All applicants must upload 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: 19 February 2023