Gender Advisor

LOCATION: Kyiv, UKRAINE

TRAVEL: up to 30% of time

REPORTING TO: Senior Program Manager, Ukraine

STAFF REPORTING: None

Background

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is an international organization dedicated to promoting the protection of civilians caught in conflict. CIVIC's mission is to work with armed actors and civilians in conflict to develop and implement solutions to prevent, mitigate, and respond to civilian harm. Our vision is a world where parties to armed conflict recognize the dignity and rights of civilians, prevent civilian harm, protect civilians caught in conflict, and amend harm.

CIVIC recognizes that conflict disproportionately affects women, girls, and other marginalized gender groups. For us, gender equality is not merely a programmatic concern, but a fundamental principle and a critical factor in achieving sustainable peace and security. We are committed to transforming unequal power dynamics and addressing the root causes of gender-based violence and discrimination in conflict-affected contexts by systematically integrating gender perspectives into all our research, advocacy, and programs.

Position summary

CIVIC is seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as a Gender Advisor to provide technical guidance to our Ukraine program. The successful candidate will play a key role in strengthening the capacity of Ukraine police and community groups to address gender-based violence (GBV) effectively and will be responsible for mainstreaming gender perspectives across all aspects of CIVIC's work in Ukraine, ensuring alignment with international best practices and organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Adaptation of Training Programs

• Review and CIVIC's existing training modules (scenario-based, negotiation, community engagement) to ensure gender sensitivity and inclusion.

• Integrate specific GBV content aligned with UNFPA best practices and lessons from pilot projects.

• Facilitate technical exchanges with partners (e.g., French National Police, UNFPA) on civilian protection and GBV in conflict settings.

• Police Capacity-Building

• Provide technical input and co-facilitate training cycles for police officers and supervisors.

• Promote understanding of GBV dynamics, survivor-centered case management, and prevention-focused policing.

• Monitor training delivery and outcomes, recommending improvements and ensuring alignment with training objectives.

• Institutionalization of GBV Training

• Document best practices, lessons learned, and success stories from training implementation to inform future curriculum development.

• Collaborate with the Lviv Police Academy to develop a formal GBV module for integration into the national police training curriculum, using established learning objectives.

• Support sustainability of GBV-sensitive training content nationwide.

• Community Protection Group Trainings

• Provide technical support to CIVIC's CBP team to design and deliver 18 training sessions on support group facilitation and community awareness-raising on GBV.

• Ensure training includes survivor safeguarding, confidentiality, "do no harm" principles, and awareness-raising best practices.

• Directory of Specialized Services

• Advise on compiling and disseminating an updated GBV service directory (medical, psychosocial, legal, shelter, etc.) for targeted oblasts.

• Ensure the directory is inclusive, survivor-centered, and accessible in both print and digital formats.

• Establish procedures for regular updating with local authorities and protection actors.

• Cross-Cutting Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance across CIVIC's Ukraine program to mainstream gender and integrate GBV considerations.

• Provide support to the CIVIC's Senior Gender Advisor in delivering internal capacity-building for CIVIC staff on gender mainstreaming and survivor-centered approaches.
• Contribute to donor reporting and external representation on gender and GBV integration.
• Assist CIVIC's Senior Gender Advisor in the implementation of CIVIC's Gender Action Plan, including monitoring progress, identifying challenges, and recommending adjustments as needed.

Qualifications
Essential:

• Advanced university degree in Gender Studies, Human Rights, Social Sciences, International Development, or related field.
• Minimum of 5–7 years of relevant experience in gender mainstreaming and GBV prevention/response, preferably in humanitarian or conflict-affected contexts. Experience in Ukraine context is mandatory.
• Experience in designing/adapting training curricula for security and defense actors and/or community groups and applying adult learning principles.
• Strong technical knowledge of international legal and policy frameworks related to GBV, civilian protection, gender equality, and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. Experience in applying these frameworks in practical programming context is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse stakeholders, including security and defense forces (Armed Forces, National Guard, National Police, State Border Guard Service), local authorities, and community groups. Experience navigating complex power dynamics and advocating for gender equality in challenging environments is highly valued.
• Fluent Ukrainian language skills.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, and report-writing skills in English, with the ability to articulate complex gender concepts clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality and social justice.

Desirable

• Familiarity with Ukraine's institutional landscape on GBV response and civilian protection.
• Previous experience with INGOs, UN agencies, or international police cooperation with demonstrated knowledge of their gender equality mandates.
• Experience in institutionalizing training modules into official curricula with demonstrated ability to navigate institutional processes.
• Experience using gender mainstreaming tools.

CIVIC is an equal opportunity employer

CIVIC is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other protected characteristics.

A note to women applicants: Studies have shown that women are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single qualification as described. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications listed above. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from women and individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.