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 implements 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 Humanitarian Mine Action Specialist (Partnership) to join our team in Kharkiv.

About the job

You will play a key role in supporting and strengthening the capacity of our local partners to implement Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) programs effectively, ensuring high-quality, compliant and safe delivery of activities.

Our Program aims to deliver lifesaving and protection-focused programs in complex humanitarian settings, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, capacity building, and operational excellence. In this role, you will support partner-led HMA activities across all stages of the project cycle, from planning and implementation to monitoring, reporting, and project closure. You will act as a focal point for technical and operational support, contribute to organizational learning, and help ensure that partner capacities are continuously strengthened.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Needs assessments: Support the Humanitarian Mine Action Coordinator (Program Unit) with the identification of implementing partners by facilitating due diligence, ensuring compliance with HMA criteria and national legislation, and sharing partner information with the HMA Coordinator for proposals and reporting.
• Project initiation: Review partner-led projects proposals logframes, and budgets, and contribute to area-level planning tools with realistic implementation plans and forecasts. Support project start-up by participating in kick-off meetings, supporting partner induction, identifying and flagging challenges, organizing operational briefings, contributing to procurement planning, and supporting partners coordinating stakeholder sensitization and external communication in collaboration with other sector teams.
• Project implementation: Provide technical and operational support to the Partner throughout project implementation, ensure effective monitoring of partner-led activities, and address challenges in coordination with the Programme Manager and relevant support departments. Contribute to quality assurance and accountability by reviewing partners’ financial reports against field activities, participating in project review meetings, ensuring data protection standards, initiating and following up on procurements, and supporting timely, high-quality donor and grant reporting.
• Project closure: Support the Partner preparing project closure for HMA activities in line with PCM guidance and internal SOPs. Contribute to organizational learning and accountability by consolidating and sharing lessons learned and good practices in line with MEAL and Quality Management recommendations, participating in partner project closing meetings, and supporting the production of high-quality final donor reports in coordination with the Program team.
• Technical expectations (Humanitarian Mine Action): Act as the programmatic focal point for partners implementing HMA activities, providing day-to-day technical and operational support across all stages of the project cycle. Under the supervision of relevant HMA technical and operational managers, support the planning, implementation, monitoring, and quality assurance of partner-led activities in line with IMAS, NMAS, DRC standards, SOPs, and work plans. Monitor partner performance through regular engagement and field visits, contribute to partner capacity assessments and capacity development initiatives, support the review of partner reports for technical quality and compliance, and assist in the development of methodologies, guidance, and tools for partners.
• Coordination and collaboration: Contribute to strengthening the Partner’s understanding of DRC’s mandate, ways of working, processes, and tools, and participate in relevant coordination and exchange forums to ensure alignment with organizational practices. Ensure effective communication and coordination with other sectors, the MEAL team, and the Partnerships unit by proactively sharing information, reporting and addressing challenges, and contributing to the identification of gaps and improvements in partner implementation, capacity building, and partnership management to enhance overall project quality.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have a strong background in Humanitarian Mine Action, with hands-on experience in technical supervision and partner support. You should be able to contribute to capacity building, quality management, and the development of technical tools and guidance. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Minimum 2 years of experience in one of the following HMA sub-sectors: Non-Technical Survey (NTS), Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), or Clearance, including formal certification.
• Hands-on experience supervising teams and providing technical support.
• University diploma (Master”s degree in the relevant field)

Desirable

• Experience in HMA Quality Management.
• Experience in advisory or coordination roles for capacity development in post-conflict environments.
• Proven experience in drafting SOPs and Training Management Plans.
• Proven experience in designing and delivering technical training.
• Strong command of English (in speaking, reading and writing)

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: 3 months’ probation period with the possibility of extension (12 months) depending on performance and available funding
• Band: G – non-managerial
• Designation of Duty Station: Kharkiv
• Start date: January/February 2026

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees.

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: January 13th, 2026

We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible, interviews might be conducted on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to select candidate before the vacancy close date once a suitable candidate has been identified.