Ukraine: UCP Specialist (Donetsk region)

Department: Programme Implementation

Division: Programme

Duty Station: Ukraine, Position is based in Izium (covering UA government-controlled area of Donetsk region).

Line Manager: Team Leader

Line Management Responsibility: N/A

Position Type: Full-time

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organisation. We work with people affected by violent conflicts to enhance their security and dignity through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). We work to reduce violence, protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath, and help transform the world’s response to conflict situations.

Overview:

NP first established a presence in Ukraine in 2014/2015 working on peacebuilding and conflict mediation. NP has had a sustained presence in Ukraine since April 2022. NP occupies a unique space in the protection response in Ukraine; simultaneously providing direct protection to at-risk civilians and providing hands-on support to front-line volunteer collectives to directly contribute to the sustainability and safety of their actions.

Job Summary:

The role of UCP Specialist is to implement UCP methodology in relation to NP’s program in Ukraine, building on and expanding the existing relationships and trust with communities exposed to vulnerabilities as a result of the ongoing war. The UCP Specialist contributes directly to increasing the communities’ self-protection capacities and resilience in the face of continuous safety and security risks and other specific protection concerns. Key areas of focus will be Early Warning Early Response actions, encouraging and promoting civilian to civilian action, supporting self-sustaining response mechanisms through direct accompaniment, peer-to-peer support and technical capacity building, to proactively prevent cycles of violence.

This position requires experience with implementing community-based violence reduction and prevention programming in various locations in Ukraine in the context of the on-going conflict and high levels of evacuation and 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 polarised political climate.

UCP Specialist is not to be deterred by the complexity of conflict; is able to analyse 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 continuously insecure and unpredictable environment.

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.

Key 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.
• Lead on and instigate regular conflict and context analysis sessions with team.
• 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, including through the local UN Cluster system and other formal and informal local coordination mechanisms.
• 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 volunteers, especially 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 and local duty bearers in conflict providing proactive engagement to mitigate potential conflict including facilitation of dialogue, shuttle diplomacy and development of specific implementable agreements.
• Coaching and mentoring of the NP team in protection and specifically UCP.
• Acting as Team Leader in their absence.

Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of work experience in human security, child or civilian protection.
• Post-secondary education in law, human rights, international human rights law, international humanitarian law, negotiation, mediation, human security or related fields, i.e., equivalent experience.
• 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.
• HEAT certification within last 3 years.

Skills and Competencies:

Independent Judgment/Analytical:

• Ability to set priorities, solve problems and analyze data.
• Ability to manage information with discretion.
• Ability to identify entry points and design prevention and protection strategies.
• Ability to plan, coordinate and lead field visits.
• Strong advocacy skills at various levels and with different interlocutors.

Interpersonal:

• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals, including those exposed to high stress and traumatic experience,
• Ability to motivate and provide leadership to team and to work and live in a multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to exert solutions-focused, creative behavior.
• 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, including in writing, and to present effectively relevant information.
• Fluency in spoken and written Ukrainian and/or Russian is a strong plus.

Information Technology:

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

Working Conditions:

• 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 submit a CV (max. 2 pages) and cover letter (max. 1 page), through our website detailing their experience and how they qualify for the role. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• The closing date for applications is 19 April, 2024
• Candidates may be selected before the closing date; apply early
• As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a technical assignment before participating in an interview.

SPECIAL NOTICE: 

Nonviolent Peaceforce is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, communities we work with, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance and complies with best practices in the Humanitarian and Development sector. NP expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We prioritise ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. NP also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment or incidents under investigation when the applicant left

employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

NO FEE: 

We never ask for payment as part of our selection process, and we always contact candidates via our corporate accounts and platforms. If you are approached for payment, this is likely to be fraudulent. Please check whether the role you are interested in is posted here on our website.