Protection Assistant

Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) is a value-driven non-governmental EU-certified humanitarian organization. ERC was established 22 years ago in Estonia and currently provides humanitarian assistance to displaced people and other vulnerable people in 5 crisis-affected countries (Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Jordan and Turkey) and different support services to beneficiaries of international protection in Estonia. Estonian Refugee Council works and provide help in Ukraine since 2014 year and now covered 9 regions with ongoing humanitarian projects and monitoring visits. Our Mission is to stand for the rights and well-being of refugees and other vulnerable groups in Ukraine and abroad.

We are looking for Protection Assistant to join our international team!

Protection Assistant will provide personalized support to vulnerable populations in Eastern and Southern Ukraine, assisting them in enrolling in social benefit programmes and making detailed referrals to specialised organisations as needed. The role involves conducting needs assessments, offering guidance on accessing social services, and advocating for the rights of vulnerable populations. The ideal candidate should have a background in legal, paralegal, or social services, with experience in humanitarian settings and strong communication skills.

Working closely with local authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders, the Protection Assistant will facilitate the integration of beneficiaries into social protection systems while maintaining accurate records and ensuring confidentiality.

Main tasks: 

• Receive and Facilitate Referrals: Support ERC’s humanitarian cash beneficiaries register for governmental social protection benefits.
• Provide personaliszed assistance to beneficiaries to help them enrolenroll in social protectionbenefit programmes.
• Make detailed referrals to specializsed organiszations such as R2P, NRC-ICLA, DRC-LAU, or FSLAC when beneficiaries require additional support.
• Case management: Provide legal advice focusing on social rights and social protection, ensuring beneficiaries receive the appropriate assistance and services.
• Evaluate the personal circumstances of beneficiaries to determine their eligibility and identify barriers that have prevented them from applying for benefits previously.
• Offer guidance on legal requirements and practical support for compiling all necessary documents.
• Assist beneficiaries with scheduling appointments when physical access to benefit-related premises poses a challenge.
• Assist the Protection Officer in managing the referral process and scaling up operations if required.
• Work closely with community members to identify and support vulnerable individuals.

Expectations towards the candidate: 

• Bachelor's degree or certification in Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, Social Work, Social Sciences, or a related field. Masters degree would be an advantage
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a relevant field. Experience with INGOs is preferred.
• Strong understanding of social benefit programmes and legal rights. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Fluency in Ukrainian is required. English will be an advantage
• Ability to work closely with vulnerable individuals and maintain confidentiality. 
• Strong organiszational skills.

What do we offer offer:

• competitive salary
• medical insurance
• 28 vacation days
• international environment
• Location: Kyiv
• work from home a few days per month
• official employment
• salary transferred twice per month

How to apply

How to apply
Please apply by uploading your cover letter and up-to-date CV on our website.
ERC only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the ERC HR portal.
Due to limited resources, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Send your CV and Cover letter in English with a title «Protection assistant» to [відгукнутися]. Please, also mention your salary expectations.

Learn more about Estonian Refugee Council here:   https://www.pagulasabi.ee/en/news