The Right to Protection (R2P), an all-Ukrainian charitable foundation, in partnership with HIAS, that strives for Ukraine to become a country where refugees, stateless, non-citizens and displaced persons enjoy dignity and protection, launches the Advocacy and Legal Protection Programme funded by UNHCR to be implemented in 2016.

The Programme is aimed to strengthen the protective environment for internally displaced persons and other affected populations (here and after referred to as IDPs) through directly responding to their needs at community and individual levels as well as developing civil society capacities to identify and implement durable, long-term solutions.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The Legal Analyst as a member of the Programme Team will be reported to the Advocacy Coordinator, and work in close cooperation with an Advocacy Expert.

Project Implementation

• Work closely with the Program’s Advocacy Expert to develop a short-term advocacy strategy to be implemented over the course of the project. The strategy will outline all the key problems in Ukrainian legislation and in administrative practices concerning IDPs. The strategy will identify what the key priorities are, and will include an action plan for advocacy activities;
• Identify the legal gaps in Ukrainian legislation concerning IDPs and suggest improvements need to be made in order to ensure that the Government’s legal and policy response to internal displacement in Ukraine is implemented. The Legal Analyst will use information and evidence from UNHCR more widely and project monitoring activities;
• Draft new legislation, including amendments, regulations and instructions, to address the concerns identified;
• Liaise with the Project’s partners to follow-up on the situation for IDPs in Ukraine;
• Support the activity of the Project and of the international observers in any other aspect that is required and provide advice to the Project on any legal issues as required.
• Organize and conduct meetings with main actors at local and national levels.

Coordination and Representation

• Ensure effective communication, coordination and information-sharing with other programme’s thematic components and key staff;
• Establish and maintain cooperation with key duty bearers;
• Represent the programme at all relevant coordination fora with partner organizations as well as duty bearers.

Reporting & Accountability

• Produce high quality and timely reports in line with UNHCR guidelines within agreed deadlines;
• Comply with all relevant R2P and UNHCR policies and procedures, particularly with respect to child protection and the code of conduct.

Required qualifications 

• Higher education in international law, political science, development studies, international relations, refugee or migration studies, conflict studies;
• Cultural sensitivity and diplomacy;
• Treat all people fairly without favouritism;
• Fulfil all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;
• Proven capacity to conduct lobbying and advocacy activities, design, and produce quality knowledge products, including policy and legal papers, etc;
• Minimum 3 years of work experience in the field of advocacy. Experience of working with the Ukrainian Parliament and Ukrainian executive state institutions is a strong asset. Desirable is experience of working with the EU and the EU institutions;
• Experience or knowledge of humanitarian aid and development policy and research as well as specific knowledge and experience in working with IDPs human rights situation is a strong asset;
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively in English, Ukrainian and Russian, both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to work independently and to meet deadlines;
• Ability to work in close collaboration with team members;
• Good analytical skills and attention to detail;
• Commitment to team work;
• Highly motivated self-starter;
• Flexibility.

We offer

R2P will offer the successful applicant a 11-month contract in line with Ukrainian legislation, renewable dependent on funding and performance.

Application process

Send a cover letter and résumé to [email protected]. Responses will be sent to the short-listed candidates only. No phone calls, please.

Applications close date- 29 February 2016. If an appropriate candidate is identified, R2P reserves the right to recruit ahead of this deadline.