DRC
Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Head of Programme for Ukraine that will lead, further develop and implement the emergency response of the DRC Ukraine
About the job
DRC has operated in Ukraine from 1998-2000 and 2007-2013 and had re-opened its operations in Ukraine in November 2014 to respond to the growing humanitarian needs in the country.
Prior to 24 February 2022, DRC Ukraine implemented interventions covering protection, legal assistance and advocacy, shelter, livelihoods and economic recovery, institutional capacity building, and humanitarian mine action with 235 staff members and offices in Mariupol, Slovyansk, Sievierodonetsk (east) and Kyiv (central) and with funding from numerous bilateral and institutional donors.
In the immediate days following 24 February 2022, most DRC staff managed to relocate from eastern areas and DRC Ukraine moved its Main Office from Kyiv (central) and several Area Offices in east, to locations in southwestern and western areas of the country.
DRC now operates from a new Interim Coordination Office in Chernivtsi staffed by a core team of DRC Ukraine international and national staff. Field operations are coordinated and implemented via two newly established Area Offices in Lviv (west) and Dnipro (east). Most of DRC Ukraine national staff are internally displaced but working from their temporary locations. DRC currently employs around 220 Ukrainian and 15 international staff.
Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, DRC has been working on addressed urgent humanitarian needs by providing emergency aid and life-saving assistance to vulnerable people who move across Ukraine or stay in areas directly impacted by the war, either directly or through local partners, and the disbursement of small grants to local Civil Society organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and citizen initiatives. Further scale up of the humanitarian response is expected over the next period.
This role will be instrumental in the design, implementation and leadership of DRC Ukraine’s emergency response to the current humanitarian crisis, as well as to adapt and scale-up the previous portfolio to meet humanitarian needs.
Overall purpose of the role:
• Be responsible for the overall programmatic strategy and implementation across the entire country operation – this excludes implementation of the Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding sector activities
• Be responsible for providing technical input to the implementing actors within the different sectors
• Be responsible for developing policies, processes and standards within respective areas
• Enable and oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation activities across the entire country operation
• Lead Fundraising activities and engage in external representation
Main duties and responsibilities:
More specific duties and responsibilities include:
People Management
• Lead and manage the programme staff (including people planning, performance, well-being and development)
Project management and development
• Enable and oversee effective, efficient and timely implementation of all projects according to agreed contracts, budgets, policies and in accordance with specific donor requirements. This will require good coordination with Area Managers, Head of Support Services and Support Managers, but also with the Head of Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) sector in Ukraine for synergies with activities implemented under HDP..
• Ensure that relevant beneficiary data is collected, compiled, analyzed and distributed and that relevant assessments are conducted in the project area
• Provide regular internal and external reports, and other relevant information on programme activities, policy matters and external relations
• Deliver inputs to programme strategy and identify opportunities for new projects, especially in the new context of emergency response in Ukraine
• Lead assessments for emergency or longer term programming in existing or new project locations
• Lead the planning and development of concept papers, budgets and project proposals with support from country team
• Ensure effective coordination and visibility of the implementation of the projects with all humanitarian and development actors
• Implement and oversee the DRC administrative guidelines and policies, safety and security procedures, logistics support and other tasks associated with efficient day-to-day running
External relations
• Increase the visibility and credibility of DRC’s program in the area and maintain close relations with all relevant stakeholders including donors
• Ensure correct and timely narrative and financial reporting to donor
Others
• As a member of the Senior Management Team, actively participates in the overall coordination of, and decision-making about DRC Ukraine’s operations and activities
• Deputize the Country Director when required
About you
To be successful in this role we expect you to possess the following:
• At least 10 years’ experience in relevant field.
• At least 5 years’ experience with people management
• Experience in managing large program operations (minimum + USD 20 million yearly budget), including at country senior management level.
• Proven leadership skills and a competence in people management, especially in complex emergency settings.
• Demonstrated experience in leading a significant restructuration & scale-up of an existing portfolio
• Experience with proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience with effectively coordinating with national partners, local/government authorities, NGO partners, UNHCR and other relevant stakeholders.
• Full professional proficiency in English is required.
• Fluency in Ukrainian/Russian is an asset.
• Knowledge of the Ukrainian and regional context is appreciated.
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: 2 years
Band: E
Designation of Duty Station: Chernivtsi l Non-family Duty Station, with travel to other parts of the country
Start date: 1 June 2022
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy plesae contact Senada Cesic at [email protected] until 25th of April. From 26th of April please write to Brieuc Le Merle at [email protected].
How to apply
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.** Please find the vacancy here.
Closing date for applications: 1 May 2022
The screening process for this position is on rolling basis, so early submission of applications is encouraged. DRC remains a right to close the vacancy once a suitable candidate is identified.
For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.
DRC as an employer
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of around 8000 employees in 40 countries. We pride ourselves on our:
- Professionalism, impact & expertise
- Humanitarian approach & the work we do
- Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
- Culture, values & strong leadership
- Fair compensation & continuous development
Providing equal opportunities We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.
Promoting high standards
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.