UCP Specialist - Odesa, Ukraine (Internal recruitment only)

Job Title:                                         UCP Specialist (Internal recruitment only)

Department:                                   Programming

Division:                                          Programme Implementation

Duty Station:                                    Odesa, Ukraine

LineManager:                                    Team Leader
Technical Line Manager:                Senior Programme Manager

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 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.

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.
• 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:

• 3-5 years of experience in human security, child, or civilian protection.
• Proven ability to operate in complex security environments and remote, challenging locations.
• Experience working with state authorities, including negotiation and mediation skills.
• Strong analytical skills for assessing conflict, security, and political contexts.
• Post-secondary education in law, human rights, international humanitarian law, or related fields, or equivalent experience.
• Ability to set priorities, solve problems, and analyze data with independent judgment.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with a focus on multicultural environments.
• Proven relationship-building ability with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government and non-state actors.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in spoken and written Ukrainian and/or Russian is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; knowledge of Salesforce Nonprofit Success Pack is an advantage.

Application Process

• 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 31 October

• This position is open for Internal recruitment only.

• Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

• 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 InterAgency 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.

Keywords

UCP SpecialistNonviolent PeaceforceCivilian ProtectionConflict MediationProtection InterventionsHuman SecurityChild ProtectionConflict AnalysisCommunication SkillsRelationship BuildingMulticultural Environments