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 600 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.

Overall purpose of the role

• Develop and manage DRC Kharkiv mobile emergency response team, provide vision, leadership and direction to DRC humanitarian team
• Manage provision of direct humanitarian assistance and strengthening of partners, for DRC response in Hard-to-Reach areas in the Kharkiv
• Represent DRC in relevant humanitarian coordination in Kharkivska and Donetska oblasts, engaging with UN & INGO counterparts and proactively seeking to shape agendas in line with DRC and humanitarian priorities. In addition, representation of the programme to partners and authorities will boost DRC’s profile and portfolio.

Geographic scope: Area (Kharkivska, Donetska oblasts)

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

Main responsibilities

Management of DRC humanitarian portfolio

• Oversee programme quality of current and proposed projects
• Ensure compliance of current & proposed projects within scope of DRC programme department
• Ensure positions are staffed and projects are on track
• Develop clear lines of communication between project staff and external stakeholders
• Develop tools and processes to capture, share and incorporate lessons learned and best practices to inform and enhance quality of programming

Strategy and funding development and resource mobilisation

• Lead and coordinate emergency assessments for DRC
• Update and maintain a DRC narrative based on the evolving context
• Update global humanitarian proposals with integrated contingency plans

Advocacy, coordination and representation

• Represent DRC to relevant national authorities

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• 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

Roles reporting to this position: Emergency response team (Basic Needs), EcRec Teams

Reports to: Base Manager Kharkiv

Required experience and competencies

• At least 3 years of experience in a project/ program management role involving responsibility for developing new and successful proposals
• At least 3 years of experience with people management
• Skills and experience in project/program 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
• Proficiency in Ukrainian and/or Russian is highly favourable

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: 6 months
• Band: F Managerial
• Designation of Duty Station:Kharkiv
• Start date: December 2023

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Application process

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: 26th November 2023

We reserve the right to conduct further interviews before the deadline for submission of applications.