Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations.

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 650 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2024 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

DRC is currently looking for an Area Programme Manager in Western Ukraine. The role will be based in Lviv.

Reports to: Area Manager

Roles reporting to this position: Area Sectoral Managers / Team Leaders / Specialists; Partnership Officer

Overall purpose of the role

• Develop and manage DRC area programming, centred around strengthening of protection and resilience for populations affected by displacement and conflict, to include internally displaced persons (IDPs), host families, host communities, and returnees.
• Manage provision of direct humanitarian assistance and strengthening of partners, including identification and capacity development of local authorities and civil society organisations.
• Represent DRC in relevant humanitarian coordination fora, engaging with UN & INGO counterparts and proactively seeking to shape agendas in line with DRC and humanitarian priorities. In addition, undertake representation of the programme to partners and authorities in order to boost DRC’s profile and portfolio.
• Provide vision, leadership and direction to DRC team and, oversee the administration and implementation of the area project teams.
• Support the Area Manager and Senior Management Team in ensuring strategic programming coherent with DRC’s operational platforms; coordinating DRC’s programme development; strengthening DRC’s programme quality, standards and learning; and enforcing DRC’s accountability and M&E frameworks.

Geographic scope: Area

This role has an area focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the development of area strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to base operations.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

1. Management of DRC area portfolio

• Lead on the planning and kick off of new projects in the area (Project Planning, Kick-off meetings, Project Implementation Plans development, etc.).
• Provide daily support to sectoral managers and team leaders to implement their activities on time, scope and budget.
• Oversee programme quality of current and proposed projects; participate in drafting relevant SOPs to facilitate implementation and provide direct support to sector managers and team leader to improve programme quality.
• Ensure positions are staffed and projects are on track.
• Provide backstopping and training to Programme Head of Departments (i.e., Managers and Team Leaders) in the roll out of area-led reporting mechanisms per projects.
• Ensure compliance of current & proposed projects within scope of DRC programme department.
• Develop clear lines of communication between project staff and partners.
• Develop tools and processes to capture, share and incorporate lessons learned and best practices to inform and enhance quality of programming.

2. Implementation of DRC Project Cycle Management

• Lead on the roll out and implementation of DRC Project Cycle Management tools.
• Provide mentoring to Sectoral Managers and Team Leaders on the implementation of DRC Project Cycle Management phases and tools.

3. Strategy and funding development and resource mobilisation

• In coordination with the Area Manager and MEAL Manager, lead and coordinate assessments in the area.
• Regularly provide updates to the Area Manager and SMT on needs evolution in the area, results of assessment and engagement with external stakeholders to inform project design.
• At area level, in coordination with the Head of Programme and Area Manager, lead the consolidation of inputs for proposal development.
• At area level, lead the process of adapting DRC national strategy to the local context and circumstance via an area strategy plan.
• Proactively engage area sectoral managers and team leaders to propose innovative ideas for activities in line with DRC’s Ukraine Country Strategy.

4. Advocacy, coordination and representation

• Represent DRC and articulate the key advocacy points in the relevant clusters and external engagement fora.
• Represent DRC and coordinate with relevant stakeholders through the Community Planning, Durable Solutions & Recovery (CPDSR) Working Group in priority hromadas and at Oblast level.
• Ensure a coordinated approach to the humanitarian response, geographically and by sector.
• Consolidate and raise needs for advocacy with area teams and inputs to Advocacy Coordinator requests for advocacy talking points, papers, etc.
• Represent DRC to relevant national authorities as delegated by the Area Manager.
• Represent DRC in external fora as delegated by the Area Manager.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to be:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC

Moreover, we also expect the following:

• At least 5 years’ experience in a project/ programme management role (preferably on projects in the sectors of Livelihoods / Economic Recovery and/or Protection), including responsibility for developing new and successful proposals.
• At least 3 years’ experience with people management.
• Skills and experience in project/programme planning, delivery, monitoring, reporting, review and evaluation.
• Skills in fundraising, budget management and donor reporting/ accountability/ compliance.
• Experience in working in complex emergencies or challenging security settings and within security management frameworks. Calm and diplomatic in nature.
• Experience in capacity building of staff and local partners.
• Ability to produce timely project proposals and high-quality reports.
• Full professional proficiency in English.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: For national contracts open-ended; for expatriate contracts 6-month fixed term contract with possible extension subject to funding.

Band: F2 management

Duty Station: Lviv. Non-family duty station.

Start date: 18 March 2024 or sooner

This position is open to national and international applicants. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment; please refer to www.drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Application and CV

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 18th February 2024. Please note, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the opening may end early if a suitable candidate is identified.