Protection Officer (Kherson)

Job Title: Protection Officer

Function: Programme Implementation

Job Group: Programme

Duty Station: Ukraine (Kherson)

Administrative Line Manager: Team Leader

Technical Line Manager: Team Leader

Line Management Responsibility: N/A

Position Type: Full-time

ABOUT US

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) reimagines security and civilian protection in areas most impacted by conflict by working alongside communities to interrupt and prevent violence. NP is a global civil society organization that works with people affected by violent conflicts to enhance their security and dignity through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) and by helping to transform the world’s response to conflict situations.

Programming is founded on unarmed civilian protection and is thematically focused on protection in displacement, child protection, gender-based violence protection and inter-communal violence reduction, social cohesion, and civic engagement.

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 PURPOSE

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 OBJECTIVES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project implementation

• 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 relevant stakeholders, including local humanitarian NGOs, community-based organizations, and local authorities.
• Support in identifying protection needs in Kherson by conducting site assessments, context monitoring, and community outreach
• 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), International Humanitarian Law (IHL), Human Rights Law (HRL), 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.
• Regularly monitor provision and the availability of humanitarian services to civilians in need, conduct referrals, when necessary.
• Write and submit activity reports documenting the completion of protection activities and their impact.

Duties Applicable to All Staff

• Actively work towards the achievement of the goals and mandate of NP.
• Abide by and work in accordance with NP values and principles as provided in the Global Employee Handbook and existing policies.
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

Education

Required

• University degree in a related field (Social Science, Development Studies, etc.).
• Interest in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, and civilian protection and human rights. Practical experience in these fields is highly desirable.

Preferred

• Qualifications or commensurate practical experience in peacebuilding, conflict transformation or nonviolent peacekeeping.

Work Experience

Required

• 1-2 years relevant work experience in civilian/humanitarian/child protection and human rights.

Preferred

• NGO/ humanitarian work.
• Post-conflict/conflict area experience.
• Experience in community organizing/mobilization.
• Experience leading or coordinating trainings.

Knowledge and Skills

Required

• Understanding on civil protection and human rights frameworks.
• Understanding of conflict dynamics in Ukraine.
• Understanding of the humanitarian and DO NO HARM principles.
• Knowledge and understanding in peace making, peacekeeping and peace building and social cohesion concepts.
• Report writing skills.
• Able to communicate in oral and written English, as well as Ukrainian and/or Russian.

HOW TO APPLY

• We strongly encourage applicants to carefully review the job description before submitting their application and ensure they meet the essential requirements.

• 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: Monday, 14th September, 2026
• This position is open for Ukrainian Nationals only.
• 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 and if successful, participate in an interview process.
• Please note that appointment to this position is subject to the availability of donor funding.
  

SPECIAL NOTICE

Nonviolent Peaceforce is an equal opportunity employer. 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, 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.