Requisition ID: req59366

Job Title: Social and Legal Advocacy Officer

Sector: Protection and rule of law

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Mykolaiv, Ukraine

Job Description

This vacancy is open to internal staff only.

JOB OVERVIEW

Under the supervision of Senior Social and Legal Advocacy Officer, the Social & Legal Advocacy Officer plays a key role in supporting the implementation of human rights and advocacy activities within the Protection and Rule of Law program. This position combines legal aid provision with research, analytical, and advocacy functions. The primary responsibilities include analyzing legal barriers affecting individuals impacted by war (such as internally displaced persons, persons with disabilities, veterans, etc.), developing advocacy initiatives, contributing to the development of policies, advocacy materials, and legal products, as well as monitoring the legal and regulatory context. The role involves regular engagement with partners, governmental authorities, and civil society representatives. The Social & Legal Advocacy Officer will also participate in the development and implementation of local advocacy strategies, building an evidence base for advocacy efforts, and preparing legal materials, including analytical briefs and policy briefs. The Social & Legal Advocacy Officer will perform duties at the respective IRC office i with regular work-related travel within the area of responsibility (AoR). The role involves fieldwork and collaboration with IRC protection units and external providers of legal and advocacy services.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The key responsibilities outlined in this Job Description will be implemented and regulated in accordance with the Roles and Responsibilities Matrices.
•Analyze legislative and regulatory acts affecting access to legal aid for conflict-affected individuals, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), persons with disabilities, former combatants, and other vulnerable and marginalized groups.
•Identify legal barriers and obstacles to the realization of rights among affected populations.
•Monitor changes in the legal and policy environment relevant to the protection of human rights in IRC’s area of operation.
•Develop and formulate advocacy initiatives aimed at improving access to legal aid and justice.
•Prepare advocacy materials, analytical notes, and policy briefs to support advocacy campaigns and programmatic efforts.
•Maintain regular contact and collaboration with government authorities, local administrations, partner organizations, and civil society actors.
•Facilitating dialogue with formal and informal local community structures to support the safe and dignified return of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
•Advocating with local authorities to ensure that information on legal procedures — including IDP registration and civil documentation — is inclusive, clear, and widely accessible.
•Collaborating with local administrative bodies and IDP councils to co-develop systems for identifying, funding, and evaluating the impact of community-driven legal and advocacy initiatives.
•Participating at meetings, working groups, and coordination platforms on local level.
•Draft reports on activities carried out, including analytical documents and recommendations for internal and donor use.
•Maintain accurate databases and documentation related to advocacy initiatives and legal assistance.
•Conduct regular field visits within the area of responsibility to coordinate advocacy activities and monitor the legal situation on the ground.
•Participate in internal team meetings, training, and strategic planning processes.
•Support advocacy initiatives by providing examples of individual cases and data on systemic legal challenges affecting displaced persons and conflict-affected individuals.
•Engage with the Legal Protection Working Group (LPWG) and other relevant coordination mechanisms to advocate for improved legal response and protection.
•Proactively identify and maintain contact points between authorities and key humanitarian actors and update the contact database accordingly.
•Participate in the weekly planning of field visits to activity locations in line with program schedules.

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

Education: higher education in law
Preferred —valid Attorney’s License (registered at the Bar Association)

Experience:
•Previous experience in conducting local or national-level advocacy.
•Experience in organizing group events, training, workshops, or roundtable discussions.
•Preferred experience in drafting meeting minutes, policy briefs, and analytical reports will be considered an asset.

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
•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: Legal Affairs Manager, Senior Social and Legal Advocacy Officer, Legal Officer, Case Management Senior Officer, Caseworkers, Protection Officers, Capacity Strengthening & Program Development Officer, Psychosocial Support Officer and other IRC departments.

External Collaboration: Legal actors, Legal PWG, Free Legal Aid Center, Protection and information services actors, 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)

IRC employees are eligible to the following benefits:

•Competitive salary
•Purposeful job and development opportunities
•English classes and unlimited online training courses
•Life Insurance
•Medical insurance for staff and family members
•Free psychological support to employees and their family members 
•30 calendar days of annual vacation with flexibility beyond the legally set minimum requirements
•Up to 10 days of paid medical leave