Area Manager – East Ukraine

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency which mandate is to promote and protect durable solutions to conflict and displacement affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. DRC is implementing a multi-sector response to support Ukraine refugees, IDPs and host populations both within Ukraine and in the neighboring countries of Poland, Romania and Moldova and wider Europe.

Due to the ongoing conflict that began in February, Ukraine is experiencing one of the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II. DRC Ukraine is looking for an experienced Area Manager to support the its activities in East Ukraine. The Area Manager will directly support the management of DRC activities and teams in Dnipro, Kharkiv and Sloviansk as well as deployment of emergency response teams.

About the job

As an Area Manager you will lead area activities and create results which impacts the area and enable and oversee the implementation of policies or activities of short-term and operational nature within the area of operation. You will enable a productive and accountable relationship with beneficiaries, communities’ leaders, representatives, relevant governmental authorities, NGOs, and UN Agencies. 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:

Management

• Line manage area support and program staff ensuring inter-department co-ordination
• Closely coordinate with the senior management team ensuring regular information flows
• People management of direct reports (including development, people planning and performance)
• With team leaders manage the programme activities budget lines; ensuring effective and efficient use of resources including financial, human and all assets.
• Ensure overall provision of and adherence to DRC policies, procedures, guidelines, systems and standard practices
• Provide leadership in overseeing logistical/procurement, Human Resources/administration and office services activities and ensure their timely/efficient delivering.

Representation, coordination and reporting

• Primary DRC representative in the area of operation and attend all relevant fora/meetings in order to strengthen DRC’s position
• Foster relationships with Government authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the area of operation
• Maintain close working relationships with donors, national and international organizations and local counterparts
• Comply with internal reporting requirements, contribute to, and provide quality assurance of external reports from area of operation

Programme development

• Lead the process of adapting DRC national strategy to the local context and circumstance
• Provide regular analysis on the context and humanitarian situation in the area for the development of project proposals and safety assessments in cooperation with the Head of Programme

Safety

Ensure a safe and secure environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries and assets by ensuring the local security procedures are up to date and SOPs are being followed in line with the SMP and DRC policy

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

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you possess the following:

• Minimum 5-7 years’ experience in relevant field overseeing humanitarian and development multi-sector, multi-donor programmes in complex and volatile environments
• At least 5 years’ experience in people management
• Strong leadership skills and a competence in people management
• Master’s degree in political science, international development, economics or other relevant field
• Practical and extensive financial, Human Resources and administration management
• Substantial work experience in the areas of emergency, camp management, development sector, especially with displaced can substitute education qualification.
• External stakeholder management (especially with local authorities)
• Experience with relevant donor guidelines
• Proven excellent communication and report writing skills
• Full professional proficiency in English

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 12 to 24 months

Band: E – Manager

Designation of Duty Station: Dnipro with travel in East Bases / Non-family duty station

Start date: Mid/End January

Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for international staff or DRC National Staff salary scale.