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 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.

DRC is currently looking for a highly qualified Area Manager to support the its activities in East Ukraine. The Area Manager will directly support the management of DRC activities and teams in Kharkiv and Sloviansk as well as deployment of emergency response teams.

About the job

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:

• Leads area activities and create results which impacts the area thought the direct management of the Area Programme Manager, Area Support Services Manager, Safety Manager and Sloviansk Base Manager
• Enables and oversees the implementation of policies or activities of short-term and operational nature within the area of operation
• Enables a productive and accountable relationship with beneficiaries, communities’ leaders, representatives, relevant governmental authorities, NGOs, and UN Agencies

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have previous area management experience in complex and volatile environment with a minimum of 5 years experience overseeing humanitarian and early recovery multi-sector, multi-donor programmes.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• At least 5 years’ experience in people management
• Strong leadership skills and a competence in people management
• 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

Desirable

• Experience managing several bases/ offices
• Previous experiences in Protection, Humanitarian Mine Action, Economic recovery, Basic Needs and Shelter sectors

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: Open ended contract after successful completion of three months’ probation period.
• Band: E2 management
• Designation of Duty Station: Kharkiv
• Start date: December 2024 (January 2025)

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: 14th of November 2024

We encourage candidates to apply earlier, since DRC reserves the right to close the vacancy before the initial deadline if an application is accepted. Only short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.