Protection Officer (Ukrainian Nationals Only)

Country: Ukraine Organization: Nonviolent Peaceforce Closing date: 31 Jul 2026 Job Title: Protection Officer (Ukrainian Nationals Only) Department: Programming Division: Programme Implementation Duty Station: Kharkiv, Ukraine 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 the Protection Officer (PO) is to support the implementation of civilian protection and violence-prevention programming for those affected by conflict. Key Responsibilities: • Provide support for the day-to-day implementation of project activities in accordance with the agreed work plans and log-frames. • Support and assist the Team Leader (TL) in the engagement and relationship building with local humanitarian NGOs, community-based organizations, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders. • Support and assist the TL in the crafting and development of work/activity plans and budget forecasting. • Conduct and facilitate community meetings and dialogues in the project areas. • Support and assist the TL and team in conducting and facilitating training and seminars for community and project partners, for example, Civilian Protection – Early Warning and Early Response (CP-EWER), Ethical communication with veterans, Conflict resolution, Protection mainstreaming, Child Protection (CP), Gender Based Violence (GBV). • Support in providing protective accompaniment to civilians exposed to vulnerabilities, particularly the elderly and people with special needs. • Support and assist, monitor, verify and report incidents of violence and civilian displacement. • In collaboration with the NP Partnerships Department, contribute to monitoring the implementation of sub-grants provided to NP local partners including: support alignment of activities against the agreed-upon objectives, planning and budget, and in accordance with the humanitarian standards. Where requested, provide direct feedback to partners. • Regularly monitor the provision and the availability of humanitarian services to civilians in need, and conduct referrals, when necessary. • Participate in assessment visits, monitoring visits, and other Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) activities. • Prepare narrative reports on implemented project activities. • Conduct context analysis and provide regular updates on protection trends, conflict dynamics, and operational developments relevant to project implementation. Qualifications: • University degree in a related field (Social Science, Development Studies, Psychology etc.). • Interest in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and civilian protection and human rights. Practical experience in these fields is highly desirable. • Qualifications or commensurate practical experience in peacebuilding, conflict transformation or nonviolent peacekeeping (preferred). • At least 2 years relevant work experience in civilian/humanitarian/child protection and human rights. • NGO/humanitarian work. • Post-conflict/conflict area experience. • Experience in community organizing/mobilization. Skills and Competencies: • Understanding civil protection and human rights frameworks. • Understanding of conflict dynamics in Ukraine. • Understanding of humanitarian and DO NO HARM principles. • Knowledge and understanding of peacemaking, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and social cohesion concepts. • Experience in project implementation and Grants Cycle Management processes. • Analytical and report writing skills. • Ability to gather information and analyze data from multiple sources and present combined/concise thematic inputs and factual reports meeting the deadlines. • Demonstrable problem solving skills and creative thinking around mitigating risks to enable project implementation. • Willing and able to work as a member of a team, with people of diverse backgrounds, different genders, and views, at the same time staying impartial and objective. • Able to communicate in oral and written, and able to work with documents in English, as well as Ukrainian. • Experience in working with Windows applications, including Microsoft Office. 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. How to apply 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 Friday, July 31, 2026. • This position is open for Ukrainian Nationals 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.