JOB DESCRIPTION

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 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 Protection Manager to join our team in Kharkiv.

About the job:

The Protection Manager will be based in Kharkiv and will be responsible for managing protection activities the Kharkiv and Donetsk oblast. This position will report to the Area Programme Manager with technical supervision from the DRC Country Protection Coordinator.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Manage all protection programs in Eastern Ukraine and oversee and line manage the protection team in Kharkiv and Donetsk
Coordinate, plan and monitor all protection related project activities, including legal aid, protection monitoring, individual protection assistance (IPA), community-based protection (CBP), psychosocial support (PSS), GBV prevention and response activities, and victim assistance.
Liaise and coordinate with Protection Cluster, DRC’s partner organizations, and other protection actors in the intervention areas.
Ensure the highest quality of the sectoral interventions, and the coherence between all projects, ongoing and proposed, according to the overall strategy.
Take leadership of the programs in terms of high quality and timely deliveries, narrative reporting and financial overviews, close cooperation with donors, Government counterparts and coordination mechanisms on site and in synergy with other DRC interventions in the area.
Formalize and develop project related operational tools and training modules.
Provide inputs for monthly, quarterly, and annual donor reports.
Provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control for the program activities, including compliance with DRC and donor requirements.

Program development and strategy

Representation of DRC and active participation in sectoral and relevant sub sectors/working groups.
Oversee knowledge sharing across teams and ensure that monitoring and evaluation results are understood and used to improve programs.
Drive the development and growth of the relevant programs within the DRC program objectives and feed into country-wide strategy development.
Take the lead on proposals and budget development for protection activities in Eastern Ukraine.

Accountability and reporting

Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook and in coordination with the MEAL department, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives within relevant project program as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of activities.
Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement.

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

Recruit and line manage protection staff; this includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
Provide regular constructive feedback to direct reports, and support direct reports in performance management of their team members.
Assess training and development needs within the Protection team, develop and implement capacity-building plans.
Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions, and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC.
Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.

About you:

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 3 years experience working for civil society organizations, humanitarian organizations, NGOs in the protection field.

Moreover, we expect the following:

Preferably a degree in International Relations, Human Rights, Social Work, Social Science, Humanities or other related field.
Previous experience in managing protection programs and team members
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with vulnerable groups, staff members, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
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.
Excellent writing and editing skills for external audiences (including governments and donors).
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems.
Excellent reporting (including in English) and protection analysis skills.
Working proficiency in English (writing, speaking, reading) is compulsory.

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:3 months probation period, with the possibility of extension based on funding and satisfactory performance
Band: F – managerial
Duty station: Kharkiv
Start date: ASAP

Conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National staff.

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: 13th April 2025

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.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements