The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

JOB OVERVIEW

Under the technical supervision of the Legal Affairs Manager the Protection Legal Officer (CP & GBV) provides legal information, legal counselling, legal assistance, and legal representation to survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) and to children and their caregivers, in line with humanitarian principles. The role involves liaising with stakeholders, including law enforcement, judiciary bodies, and community structures to enhance access to justice for survivors. She/he will work closely with other GBV and Child Protection Actors, IRC WPE and Child Protection sectors, and IRC’ implementing partners. Additionally the Protection Legal Officer (CP & GBV) will support advocacy efforts and contribute to the legal context analysis to improve protection responses.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Responsibilities

  • Adhere to GBV and CP guiding principles; ensure the safety of the survivors, children and their caregivers with a survivor-centered approach

  • Сreate information content that responds to the legal needs of conflict-affected population and affected by gender-based violence and to children and their caregivers, and provide information, either at the community center or other static centers and through mobile teams;

  • Work closely with IRC partners in order to support and guide the implementation of legal information, counselling and assistance;

  • Provide legal information and individual counseling on access to protection and recovery mechanisms (restraining orders, compensation/claims, social services, civil documentation, custody…etc.), ensuring safety and risk mitigation for survivors, in line with IASC GBV Guidelines (2015) and Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS).

  • Provide legal representation in courts and state bodies (within IRC mandate and Ukrainian law), including support for children and caregivers in cases related to violence, custody, and HLP (housing, land, property), aligned with Sphere Protection Principles.

  • Maintain and apply updated safe referral pathways for GBV at national/regional level; ensure safe and voluntary referrals to specialized services (medical, psychosocial, shelter, security).

  • Support the PRoL Manager, Legal Affairs Manager, Senior Social and Legal Advocacy Officer in data analysis related to legal trends in GBV and CP streams;

  • Prepare and submit timely and quality monthly and weekly, donor reports as per the donor requirements, including assisting in proposal input on access to justice gaps, and needs.

Coordination

  • Participate in Protection Clusters and their Areas of Responsibility, Legal Protection Working Group (Legal PWG), and national/regional coordination meetings; 

  • Coordinate closely with WPE and Child Protection teams to ensure complementary service delivery.

  • Coordinate with authorities, law enforcement, free legal aid centers, social services, shelters, health facilities, and NGOs, ensuring compliance with GBV Minimum Standards and client/staff safety.

  • Contribute to advocacy initiatives by providing case examples and data on systemic legal challenges affecting displaced, conflict-affected individuals, and gender-based violence and to children and their caregivers;

  • Provide capacity-building training on GBV and CP legal aspects to IRC, and partners, other humanitarian actors and duty barriers.

Data collection and reporting

 

  • Monitor all cases sent to court by using a tracking system as well as follow-up.

  • Contributing to developing, drafting, and updating legal guidelines, and training materials on GBV and CP related to Ukrainian law and/or international law.

  • Ensure proper and safe legal documentation, case information, data security, and storage. Utilization of GBVIMS and CPIMS consent form, legal intake form, and action plan. All forms must be used accurately and appropriately, strictly follow data protection protocol and confidentiality, and maintain confidentiality concerning client information at all times.

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

 

Education: higher education in law

Required—valid Attorney’s License (registered at the Bar Association)

 

Experience:

  • Previous experience in legal practice related to GBV, child protection, or human rights, family/civil law, access to justice, HLP preferred.

  • Previous work in humanitarian or human rights organizations;

  • Experience facilitating group activities, trainings and workshops and mentoring others

 

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

  • Language: Bilingual in Ukrainian and Russian, with good verbal and writing skills in English preferred

  • Excellent communication skills both verbal and written

  • Demonstrated understanding of and ability to maintain confidentiality and respect for clients/beneficiaries

  • Familiarity with data protection methodologies in humanitarian operations; ethical handling of sensitive GBV/CP data.

  • Ability to work within coordination structures (Protection Cluster, GBV/CP AoR), establish inter-sectoral referral pathways.

  • Excellent communication, empathy, stress resilience; adherence to humanitarian principles and Do No Harm.

  • Positive and professional attitude, including ability to lead and work well in a team setting

  • High degree of flexibility and strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail

  • Computer literate, including Microsoft Word and Excel, with ability to work with data entry using software on tablets

 

 

REPORTING STRUCTURE AND TEAM COLLABORATION

 

Internal IRC Collaboration: Senior Social and Legal Advocacy Officer, Legal Officer, Case Management Senior Officer, Caseworkers, Protection Officers, Capacity Strengthening & Program Development Officer, Psychosocial Support Officer, Child Protection Manager, Women Protection and Empowerment Manager, and other IRC departments.

 

External Collaboration: Legal actors, Legal PWG, Free Legal Aid Center, Protection and information services actors, police, child protection services, immigration services, social services, government and non-government institutions involved in providing assistance to the population.

 

 WORK ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

 

  • This role requires office work (approximately 40%) and field work (approximately 60%).

  • This role may require travel to other locations (sub-offices).

  • The organization cares about staff and provides flexible working options (start early-finish early, start later-

finish later, remote work)

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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