Leading specialist of the emergency humanitarian response program in Danish Refugee Council / Danska Rada u spravah bizhenciv v Ukrayini

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international non-governmental organization that promotes and supports long-term solutions to problems, faced by refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide.  

DRC is currently looking for a specialist of the emergency humanitarian response program in the city of Kherson, Ukraine.

Position description

Under the direction of the regional program manager, the leading specialist of the emergency humanitarian response program response will provide technical guidance, day-to-day support, mentoring and training on basic needs activities both directly and under partner leadership, in close collaboration with partner engagement specialists. She/he will be responsible for the planning and support of activities in the field of provision of basic needs, as well as coordinate their actions with other DRC divisions and external partners in the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions. The Lead Humanitarian Emergency Response Program Specialist reports to the Regional Program Manager in Mykolaiv, and at the national level his/her technical activities will be overseen by the DRC Humanitarian Emergency Response Program Specialist.

Your primary duties and responsibilities will include the following:

• Provide technical oversight and coordination of all activities in the field emergency response and provision of basic needs, including multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA), distribution of resources to meet winter energy needs (solid fuel, utilities) and/or any other in-kind non-food items (NFI).
• Ensure that beneficiary selection is done in a timely manner and in accordance with DRC standards, and distribution plans are prepared and implemented in a timely manner sent to other units.
• Provide support to local partners in the implementation of emergency response programs throughout the project cycle, including planning, actual implementation and monitoring of activities carried out by partners (including the provision of cash and non-food goods) according to compliance standards and quality requirements.
• Provide daily support to partners in all phases of program implementation, including registration, data management, payment and preparation of the necessary documentation.
• Provide support to project partners and direct implementation staff through regular communication, capacity building, and promotion of best practices in emergency response program activities and provision of basic needs.
• Ensure close collaboration with the partner engagement team in the region of operation on specific partnership components, and contribute to quality program development and capacity building partners.
• Provide support in the development and updating of methodology, recommendations and tools for couplesners implementing emergency response activities.

Program development and strategy

• Participate in the development of proposals for both direct implementation and implementation carried out by partners, including budget preparation, event planning, partner engagement and definition of logical-structural matrix objectives, ensuring strategic coherence, operational realism and compliance with sectoral and cross-cutting priorities.
• Contribute to the development and growth of relevant programs within the DRC program objectives and include them in the development of the national strategy.

Accountability and reporting

• Provide inputs for monthly, quarterly and annual reports to donors.
• Ensure monitoring of project implementation partners' performance against standards and review partner reports on subject to technical correctness and compliance with DRC standards; contribute to the identification of gaps in their capacity and areas requiring additional support, based on reporting and engagement with partners.
• Oversee the sharing of knowledge between project implementation teams and partners and ensure that monitoring and evaluation results are understood and used to improve project and program delivery.
• As directed by the DRC, monitor and recommend appropriate accountability initiatives within projects and intensify the work on documenting the results of activities.
• Ensure interaction and coordination with the MEAL team regarding the planning, implementation and monitoring of activities.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements, in particular regarding procurement.

Coordination and representation

• Ensure effective cooperation with sectors, the MEAL team and partners throughout the project cycle. Support internal referral mechanisms and facilitate constructive communication to improve the overall quality of program activities and the effectiveness of partners.
• Represent the DRC and actively participate in relevant sectoral and regional coordination forums, regional clusters and working groups in the region of operation.
• Ensure positive working relationships and coordination with implementing partners, relevant emergency response actors in the intervention areas, and also with UN agencies; collaborate with local authorities and other stakeholders as needed.
• Ensure service delivery mapping updates in the region of operation.

The direct manager may also give other tasks related to the achievement of DRC objectives.

About you

Required experience and Competencies:

Required

• Higher education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in political science, sociology, international development or economics or in another relevant field.
• Minimum 3 years of proven work experience in the field of emergency programsand humanitarian activities in NGOs/NGOs.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in the field of project management.
• Experience of working in difficult conditions of emergency response and recovery activities.
• Computer literacy: Excellent Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience in project development.
• Languages: Fluent in Ukrainian; professional command of English. 

In this role, you must demonstrate the five core DRC competencies:

Strive for excellence:Focus on achieving results while ensuring the effectiveness of processes.

Collaboration:Engage relevant parties and their encouraging feedback.

Initiative:Personal control of the situation and taking initiative, while simultaneously striving for innovation.

Communication:Ability to listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity:Adhering to and promoting the highest standards ethical and professional behavior in relation to the values and the DRC Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer:

Contract duration: 3 months with the possibility of extension

Level: G - non-managerial

Job location: Kherson, Ukraine

Start date: as soon as possible

Salary and working conditions will comply with the Conditions of Employment of National Staff of the Danish Refugee Council in Ukraine; follow the link to our website.

Application Process

All candidates must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no more than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Click HERE to respond

Application deadline: April 5, 2026

If you have any questions or problems with the online application process, please visitdrc.ngo/about-us/job-and-career/support-for-job-seekers. 
 
The Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants for employment are considered without regard to race, age, ability, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRB, we celebrate diversity and value our employees for who they are and their unique skills, experience and perspectives. We invite all interested candidates to apply!