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 800 staff in Ukraine and implements 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 in Kharkiv.

About the job

Under the supervision of the Protection Team Leader, the Protection Assistant will support the delivery of quality protection activities to vulnerable individuals and communities affected by the conflict in Kharkivska oblast. The role will include conducting needs assessments, developing action plans, providing safe referrals, and delivering cash or in-kind assistance to reduce protection risks. The Protection Assistant will organize and facilitate awareness-raising sessions, provide targeted individual assistance to victims of explosive ordnance incidents, and support beneficiaries in accessing services under Case Management . The position will require close coordination with other DRC departments and external partners to ensure timely, effective, and client-centered support, while maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and adherence to humanitarian principles.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• 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.
• Provide cash or in-kind assistance to vulnerable individuals to reduce their protection risks.
• 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.
• Carry out service mapping to identify the available services in the community. Build and maintain relationships with relevant governmental and non-governmental service providers to support safe referrals.
• 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. You have a strong interest or experience in working with conflict-affected populations, as well as the ability to communicate effectively and empathetically with individuals in distress. You should possess excellent organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills, along with a strong sense of personal integrity and adherence to confidentiality and ethical standards.

Required:

Comfortable 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, and Windows operating systems.
• Ukrainian language skills.
• Bachelor in Social work, Counseling, Law or any other related field.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with social or humanitarian work.
• Previous experience working with communities, implementing social support activities, conducting awareness-raising sessions, and providing services to vulnerable groups;
• English language skills at a basic level;

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our 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 fundingandsatisfactory performance.
• Level: I
• Designation of Duty Station: Kharkiv
• Start date: January, 2026

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).

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: 12th December 2025

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.