Ukraine: UCP Specialist

Function: Programme Implementation

Job Group: Programme

Duty Station: Ukraine (various field locations)

Administrative Line Manager: Team Leader

Line Management Responsibility: N/A

ABOUT US: 

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organization. We work to reduce violence and protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath through the implementation of unarmed civilian protection programming. NP implements programming through the deployment of civilian protection teams to the field and is continuing to scale up to meet the growing needs in the communities we serve. Programming is founded on unarmed civilian protection and is thematically focused on protection in displacement, child protection, gender-based violence protection, inter-communal violence reduction, social cohesion and civic engagement.

NP first established a presence in Ukraine in 2014 working on peacebuilding and conflict mediation. NP has had sustained presence in Ukraine since April 2022, documenting civilian protection challenges, providing protection advocacy, and engaging with a variety of local and international stakeholders and responding to identified civilian protection needs. NP has a holistic and forward leaning approach to civilian protection in Ukraine with a particular focus on increasing the safety and security of civilians, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), as they move across the country, with a focus on population groups exposed to vulnerabilities.

JOB PURPOSE: 

The role of UCP Specialist will be to implement UCP methodology in relation to NP’s program in Ukraine, which includes relationship- and trust-building with communities exposed to vulnerabilities as a result of the ongoing war, facilitating their connection to existing humanitarian services, conducting rapid protection assessments, training and mentoring locally recruited staff.

ABOUT YOU: 

This position requires experience with implementing community-based violence reduction and prevention programming in various locations in Ukraine in the context of an on-going civil conflict and extremely high levels of displacement. Being a UCP Specialist presupposes a genuine commitment to working at the community level while promoting human rights. The role also implies a skillset to build trusting relationships in an extremely polarized political climate.

UCP Specialist is not to be deterred by the complexity of conflict; is able to analyze conflict dynamics; is motivated and unendingly persistent in finding and implementing protection and prevention strategies. The Specialist will be responsible for working together with others to directly implement the project and to participate in reporting and its documentation. The position also implies living and working in a remote, physically demanding environment, living full-time in a shared compound environment while enjoying a simple diet.

The successful candidate combines creativity, innovation and demonstrated knowledge of protection, conflict prevention and peacebuilding. They are experienced and skilled at converting protection, violence reduction and conflict analysis theory into practical, locally appropriate solutions that effectively increases safety and security of civilians affected by violent conflict. They have excellent interpersonal skills and a flair for connecting and building trust with people from a wide variety of backgrounds. They are focused, strategic and are driven by a keen interest and personal commitment to civilian protection.

PLANNED ACTIVITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide protective presence and accompaniment to vulnerable groups and persons with specific needs, with particular focus on improving child protection and combating gender-based violence.
• Assess security risks and implement mitigation strategies for both host and IDP communities.
• Continuously monitor conflict situations to track conflict trends and identify protection needs.
• Work and live within conflict affected communities to build trust, establish deep contextual understanding and advance a nonpartisan position.
• Design and implement protection interventions appropriate to context and civilian protection need within the parameters of NP’s mandate and projects.
• Identify and flag communities or individuals in need of specialized support services, maintain updated referral pathways, ensure effective dissemination of related information.
• Establish and support community protection mechanisms, provide technical skills training in conflict analysis, nonviolent conflict resolution and community-based protection strategies.
• Facilitate active participation and leadership of women in the context of community-based peace and security strategies.
• Monitor all protection issues and coordinate with concerned local authorities and international actors to ensure that relevant protection partners are fully informed of the situation in the region.
• Facilitate communications and relationships between communities in conflict providing proactive engagement to mitigate potential conflict including facilitation of dialogue, shuttle diplomacy and development of specific implementable agreements.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES: 

Education, Knowledge and Experience: 

• 3 -5 years’ work experience in human security, child or civilian protection.
• Demonstrated successful experience in working in complex security environments
• Demonstrated experience working with state authorities, negotiation and mediation
• Demonstrated ability to live, work and solve problems independently and effectively in remote, highly challenging locations
• Demonstrated ability to analyse conflict, security and political contexts
• Post secondary education in law, human rights, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, negotiation, mediation, human security or related, or equivalent experience

Skills: 

Independent Judgment/Analytical:

• Ability to set priorities, solve problems and analyse data
• Ability to manage information with discretion
• Demonstrable conflict analysis skills, identify entry points and design prevention and protection strategies
• Ability to identify entry points and design prevention and protection strategies.

Interpersonal:

• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and motivate and provide leadership to team and to work and live in a multi-cultural environment
• Solutions focused, creative problem solver
• Proven ability to build relationships with the full range of actors including government, chiefs, military, police and non state actors
• Genuine commitment and interest in living and working at the community level
• Flexibility and adaptability

Languages:

• Ability to interact confidently in English with colleagues and external contacts, to write documents and reports, and to present effectively relevant information
• Fluency in spoken and written Ukrainian/ Russian - is a plus

Information Technology:

• Good skills in Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack is a plus.

Other Specialized Requirements: 

• Ukraine is a complex security environment and the evolution of the war is completely unpredictable– experience in insecure environments is essential to success in this position.
• This posting can be physically demanding that may require walking and driving long distances
• A strong motivation to do what’s necessary in a complex logistics environment and rough living conditions is required

How to Apply: 

• Candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to visit our website and submit a CV (max. 2 pages) and cover letter (max. 1 page). Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• The closing date for applications 13 February 2023
• Candidates may be selected before the closing date, apply early
• As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment before participating in an interview.

SPECIAL NOTICE: 

Nonviolent Peaceforce is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff at all levels. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. However, all qualified applicants regardless of their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, or age, will be considered for this opportunity.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, people in communities we serve, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice in the Humanitarian and Development sector.

NO FEE: PLEASE BEWARE OF FRAUDULENT JOB OFFERS. NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE OR ASK FOR FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (INCLUDING APPLICATION, INTERVIEW, MEETING, TRAVELING, PROCESSING TRAINING, ETC). NONVIOLENT PEACEFORCE WILL NOT REQUEST INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.