Area Programme Manager

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 700 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 Area Programme Manager to join our team in Dnipro. This position, open to national and international candidates, is based in Dnipro, overseeing programming in Dnipropetrovska and Zaporizhska (government-controlled) oblasts. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis for an immediate start.

About the job:

• Lead DRC's area programming, focusing on protection and resilience for displaced populations, including IDPs, host families, communities, and returnees.
• Represent DRC in humanitarian coordination forums, shaping agendas and enhancing DRC's profile.
• Provide leadership to the humanitarian team, ensuring effective administration and implementation of projects.
• Support the Senior Management Team in strategic programming, quality assurance, and accountability.

Your main responsibilities will be:

Management of DRC Area Portfolio

• Lead the planning and initiation of new projects in the area, ensuring timely implementation.
• Provide daily support to sectoral managers and team leaders for effective project execution.
• Oversee program quality and compliance within the DRC program department.
• Develop tools and processes for capturing lessons learned and enhancing programming quality.

Implementation of DRC Project Cycle Management

• Drive the implementation of DRC Project Cycle Management tools.
• Provide mentoring to Sectoral Managers and Team Leaders on project cycle phases and tools.

Strategy and Funding Development

• Lead assessments in the area to inform project design.
• Coordinate with Area Manager on proposal development and adaptation of DRC strategy.
• Proactively engage in innovative activity proposals aligned with DRC's Ukraine Country Strategy.

Advocacy, Coordination, and Representation

• Represent DRC in relevant clusters and external engagement fora.
• Ensure a coordinated approach to humanitarian response.
• Provide inputs to Advocacy Coordinator requests and represent DRC to national authorities.

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

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility
• 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 people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC                                         

Roles reporting to this position: Area Sectoral Managers and/or Sectoral Team Leaders, Partnership Officer

Reports to: Area Manager

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 5 years' experience in a project/ program management role involving responsibility for developing new and successful proposals and  at least 3 years' experience with people management. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Skills and experience in project/program planning, delivery, monitoring, reporting, review and evaluation
• Skills in fundraising, budget management and donor reporting/ accountability/ compliance
• Experience in working in complex emergencies or challenging security settings and within security management frameworks. Calm and diplomatic in nature.
• Experience in capacity building of staff
• Ability to produce timely project proposals and high quality reports
• Full professional proficiency in English

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:  

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.  
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.  
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.  
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.  
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.                                                                                      

We offer.

• Contract length: until 31st of March 2025
• Level: F-2 Manager
• Designation of Duty Station: Dnipro
• Start date: ASAP
• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriate or 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: April 30th, 2024. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Recruitment will be conducted on a rolling basis, and a final candidate may be selected before the advertisement closes. Only candidates who meet the criteria will be contacted.