Protection Assistant

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations. 

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 600 staff in Ukraine and will continue scale-up in 2024 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

DRC is currently looking for a Protection Assistant for its activities in Kharkivska oblast.

This position will be line managed by the Protection Team Leader.

About the job:

Under the supervision of the Protection Officer and Team Leader, the Protection Assistant will implement quality protection monitoring and VA activities, deliver information sessions and key messaging, identify and support individuals at risk. They will work closely with communities, civil society organizations (CSOs), and government services to identify vulnerable individuals in need of support, conduct service mapping, and share information about services available. They will be based in Kharkiv DRC office, with field activities in Kharkiv oblast.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be: 

Under the supervision of the Protection Officer and Team Leader, the Protection Assistant will:

• Provide case management services to vulnerable individuals, including completing assessments of the client’s needs, developing action plans, sharing information and referring them to other service providers, and carrying out follow up with the client.
• Safely refer clients to other service providers when needed, including health, legal, shelter services, and support clients to advocate for their needs with other services.
• Provide cash or in-kind assistance to vulnerable individuals to reduce their protection risks.
• Accompany the client to facilitate their access to services when required.
• Carry out awareness raising sessions with affected communities to share information about case management services being provided by DRC and other protection information topics.
• Provide Targeted Individual Assistance (i.e. conditional cash grants) to direct and indirect victims of EO/EW accidents contributing to the improvement of their socio-economic situation.
• Complete and ensure the safe storage of documents for the case management activities, including referral forms and consent forms.
• Implement programme activities related to protection monitoring activities, such as focus group discussions, household surveys, and key informant interviews.
• Coordinate with other departments in DRC to facilitate referrals and information sharing.

About you 

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 1 year of experience in the social, legal, or humanitarian field. Experience with or a strong interest in working with IDPs and conflict affected populations. Moreover, we also expect the following:  

Required:

• Comfortable in speaking about sensitive topics and working with people in distress.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with vulnerable individuals, staff members, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong analytical skills and report writing skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong sense of personal integrity and understanding of confidentiality and ethics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems.
• Bachelor in Social work, Counseling, Law or any other related field.
• Ukrainian and Russian language skills required.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with social or humanitarian work.
• English language skills an advantage.

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: 3 months probation period, with the possibility of extension based on funding and satisfactory performance. 
Level: I
Designation of Duty Station: Kharkiv
Start date: As soon as possible.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.

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: 23 October, 2026

We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible, interviews might be conducted on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to select candidate before the vacancy close date once a suitable candidate has been identified. 

Apply Now