Within its Explosive Ordnance Victim Assistance (VA) programme, DRC has been supporting survivors of explosive ordnance (EO) accidents and incidents involving explosive weapons (EW) with cash assistance and has been conducting inclusion trainings for communities.

DRC also founded the Victim Assistance Technical Working Group (VA WG) and has been co-chairing this working group. The overall objective of the VA WG is to contribute to a comprehensive and standardized response, and coordinating respective activities through collaboration with other relevant ministries and actors, including survivor organizations and organizations for PwD.

The VA Specialist will be responsible for quality assurance, technical guidance and support to area Protection teams that are supporting EO/EW victims through cash assistance, deliver inclusion training and other Protection activities.

The role will develop SOPs, relevant materials, and conduct capacity strengthening for area Protection teams and develop VA-relevant assessments, studies and advocacy as well as awareness raising campaigns.

The Specialist will also coordinate the VA WG in close consultation with the HDP Program Manager.

Requirements

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 3 years of experience, preferably in mine victim assistance, disability inclusion, social work, case management, counselling or related humanitarian fields.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Degree in social work, inclusion, psychology, (special) education or similar professional qualification is required.
• Fluency in Ukrainian required, full professional proficiency in English.
• Strong technical knowledge of VA and inclusion practices.
• Knowledge of International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and National Mine Action Standards is an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with vulnerable individuals, staff members, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent training and capacity-building skills.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong sense of personal integrity and understanding of confidentiality and ethics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems.

Responsibilities

Technical Guidance, Quality Assurance and Capacity Strengthening

• Under the guidance of the HDP Programme Manager, provide technical support to field protection teams on VA-related topics, inclusion and the integration of PwD into Protection programming to ensure quality implementation of the VA deliverables according to global standards/guides and country specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Identify technical gaps in relation to overall project implementation/VA service delivery and provide recommendations to improve program quality, and support to implement recommendations.
• Contribute to the development and adaptation of necessary tools, forms, technical guides and SOPs for DRC VA-related activities.
• Respond to ad hoc requests for technical support from area Protection teams, provide clear guidance and mentoring, especially where gaps are identified.
• Ensure mainstreaming of inclusion principles and age, gender, and diversity aspects into all of DRC’s work including through provision of trainings to DRC staff and partner organizations on Age, Gender and Diversity, development of training materials for community-based AGD trainings, and support for implementation of PAGD mainstreaming action plans.
• Collaborate with other sectors to ensure integration, synergy, and identify opportunities for collaboration/better coordination between teams.

Coordination of the Victim Assistance Working Group (VA WG)

• Support the HDP Programme Manager to co-chair the Victim Assistance Working Group, including organizing VA WG meetings and VA Coordination Roundtables, agenda-setting and producing minutes.
• Ensure cooperation among members and partners to strengthen cooperation, and sharing of experience, expertise, and best practice contributing to a coordinated and comprehensive VA response in Ukraine.
• Collaborative with the co-chair of the VA WG as well as members and other stakeholders (e.g.