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 800 staff in Ukraine and will continue to 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 a Partnership Officer for its activities in Kharkivska and Donetska oblast (Kramatorskyi, Pokrovska raions only).

This position will be supervised by the Kharkiv Area Manager.

Overall purpose of the role:

Under the supervision of the Area Manager, the Partnership Officer contributes to the development of potential partnership opportunities with civil society organizations (CSOs) and the implementation of projects strengthening the systems of CSOs that support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable population in Ukraine through the development and facilitation of trainings, assessment of CSO needs, field visits and close collaboration with context-relevant stakeholders. The Partnership Officer conducts due diligence, contracting, updating partnership indicators, and ensures partner compliance with DRC standards and policies. The Partnership Officer acts as focal point for partner CSOs and develops and maintains good relations with relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of project activities.

The role will be based in Kharkiv but support DRC’s work across the area, including in Kharkivska and Donetska (Kramatorskyi and Pokrovska raions) oblasts. Travel is anticipated 40% of the time, with frequent trips to the DRC office in Kharkiv.

Main responsibilities:

Partnership Development (Due Diligence, Vetting and Contracting)

• Support in identifying potential partnership opportunities and mapping of active organizations in the area of operations.
• Support and lead the partnership selection process, at area level, through: preliminary meetings with partners, supporting DRC’s comprehensive partnership due diligence, and supporting partners to submit the needed documentation for partnerships
• Update partnership indicators in cooperation with relevant programme units
• Work with Support Service departments to support local partner to implement processes and policies that ensure alignment with DRC standards; refer partners in need of intensive support (including development of policies) to DRC’s capacity building team
• Support evaluation of DRC and partner performance to identify long-term partners for DRC activities
• Provide ongoing oversight of partner adherence to contract and operational compliance in coordination with program and support teams
• Immediately flag roadblocks in the partnership process to the Area Manager

Programming and Operations

• Through due diligence and or capacity assessment participate to the identification of needs and gaps of CSOs supported. Under the leadership of the Capital Partnership team, participate to the development of capacity development plan relevant to CSOs needs.
• Follow up at area level on respective activities such as trainings, mentorships, knowledge and experience exchange events for CSOs etc. When required, assist in designing and delivering high quality capacity building activities to address the identified needs of CSOs
• In coordination with the Area Sector Managers/Team Leaders, follow up with DRC partners on project implementation as per agreed workplan and proposal.
• Work closely with Area Support teams, to support the partners in the monitoring of their financial commitments, expenditures against budgets and procurements, as per DRC standards.
• Work closely with the Partners Program teams to ensure collect and review means of verifications for project implementation are collected according to DRC Standards.

Accountability and Reporting

• Ensure partners’ compliance with internal and external reporting requirements
• Alert the country office partnership team if non-compliance or potential risks are detected
• In coordination with DRC MEAL department, follow up on partners oversight for quality insurance at area level
• Perform monitoring and field visits to locations where partners are implementing activities within the area
• Produce project documentation in English and Ukrainian, including, but not limited meeting minutes, concept notes, proposals, budgets (to donors) and a variety of (internal and external) reports and publications
• Provide inputs for monthly, quarterly, and annual donor reports, if required, concerning partnership’s results, challenges, and achievements

Representation

• Act as (area) focal point for CSO partners
• Represent DRC via active participation in partner meetings (with partners directly) and DRC.

Required experience and competencies:

• Minimum 2 years of practical experience in working with local CSOs
• Minimum 1 year professional experience in working at/with IDP-oriented CSOs or government agencies a plus
• Experience working with a humanitarian organization or NGO a plus
• Knowledge of capacity building practices; awareness of common approaches to strengthening organizational frameworks, demonstrated interest in institutional development practices
• Finance background and procurement knowledge is an asset
• Good writing, reporting and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills
• Calm and diplomatic nature
• Excellent skills in using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Zoom
• Full professional proficiency in English
• Fluency in Ukrainian

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.

Required education: Relevant university degree (e.g. political science, international affairs, social sciences, economics, finance, accounting etc.) or equivalent professional qualification.

We offer:

• Contract length: 3-month probation period with possible contract extension
• Level: H
• Designation of Duty Station: Kharkiv with travel to Donetska oblast (Kramatorskyi, Pokrovska raions only)
• Start date: As soon as possible.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.

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: 22/02/24.