Partnership Specialist (ABA Consortium)

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 Programme (Partnership) Specialist to join our Area-Based Allocation (ABA) team in Mykolaiv and implement project in Khersonska oblast.

About the job 

The Area-Based Allocation (ABA) Consortium supports local organizations in Ukraine by providing quality funding, due diligence and tailored capacity support. The Partnership Specialist (ABA) will manage subgrants across the Kherson response, lead due-diligence and partner tiering, and oversee the full SGA cycle (agreements, compliance, monitoring, and risks). The role also supports partners with reporting, financial and operational requirements, contributing to strong, accountable and locally-led partnerships within the ABA framework.

Your main responsibilities will be: 

Subgrantees’ Project Cycle Management

• Review and validate DRC-led due diligence assessments for subgrantees, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and consistency with the consortium methodology.
• Advise on risk-mitigation measures and contribute to developing partner-specific support plans based on tier classification.
• Finalize due diligence files and submit them to the Chief of Party for validation and Steering Committee endorsement.
• Support the preparation of fully compliant Sub-Grant Agreements (SGAs), ensuring alignment with internal procedures and donor requirements.
• Chair Subgrant Review Meetings for DRC-led projects and ensure smooth coordination between sector specialists, MEAL, finance, supply chain, safety, and other relevant functions.
• Monitor implementation and support the sub-grants focal point in identifying bottlenecks, risks, delays, or compliance concerns.
• Facilitate timely onboarding, project start-up, and internal hand-over, ensuring all relevant teams are aligned on partner commitments, tier-based support, and monitoring requirements.
• Provide day-to-day guidance to internal teams on partnership processes and escalation pathways.
• Coordinate with ACTED and NP peer focal points to ensure coherent approaches across consortium members, especially for harmonized templates and procedures, consistent application of due diligence and tiering, multisectoral projects, and joint technical support.

Operational Tools, Systems & Guidance

• Identify gaps in ABA partnership tools and lead improvements in coordination with the CMU and CO.
• Draft or refine templates (SGA annexes, partner trackers, BFU templates, DD tools, tiered support plans, etc.).
• Contribute to updates of the Consortium Operational Framework.
• Ensure that subgrantees’ documentation is well organized, updated, and accessible via SharePoint and other systems.
• Ensure accurate and timely maintenance of subgrantee-related trackers (implementation, reporting, instalments, amendments).

Capacity-Building

• Lead coordination of the tier-based capacity-building framework for DRC’s subgrantees, consolidating input from consortium management unit members.
• Ensure capacity-building plans reflect due diligence and tiering results and are feasible, sequenced, and in line with the Consortium Operational Framework.
• Track delivery of capacity-building activities and ensuring follow-up on action points with relevant technical teams.
• Monitor improvements and recurring gaps to inform future support and risk management.
• Contribute to lessons learned on the partnership model and support the continuous improvement of tools and approaches.

Internal & External Coordination

• Provide induction, mentorship, and structured guidance to consortium management unit members involved in ABA subgrant management.
• Promote harmonized understanding of subgrantees PCM processes across internal teams.
• Facilitate effective coordination between consortium members (DRC, ACTED, NP) to ensure coherent approaches and aligned support to subgrantees.
• Support external coordination and liaison with authorities in areas relevant to subgrantees’ processes—including registration, approvals, compliance requirements, and coordination with area-based structures.
• Capture and disseminate best practices and lessons learned in partnership management.

Other

• Support other consortium or DRC activities as required and agreed with the line manager.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 3 years of experience in partnership management, grants management, program coordination, or a related field within humanitarian or development organizations. Moreover, we also expect the following (required):

• Experience working with international NGOs, UN agencies, donors, or government institutions in partnership management.
• Strong understanding of project cycle management (PCM), partnership procedures, and donor compliance requirements.
• Familiarity with due diligence, risk assessment, and internal compliance procedures for partnerships.
• Strong knowledge of partnership processes and tendency, localization approaches, and funding mechanisms in the humanitarian/development sector.
• Proficiency in contract and sub-grant management, including reviewing budgets, agreements, and reports.
• Ability to analyze financial and programmatic risks related to partnerships.
• Strong understanding of data management systems, SharePoint, and other digital collaboration tools.
• Ability to support system improvements and process optimization in partnership management.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of CSO work and their organization trends in Ukraine.
• Languages: Full professional proficiency in English (mandatory).  Fluency in Ukrainian.
• Computer literacy: confident user in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, SharePoint.
• Education: Master's degree (e.g. political science, international development, Human Rights, Humanitarian Studies) or equivalent professional qualification

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: 12 months renewable depending on performance and funding after successful completion of 3 months probation period
• Band: G non-managerial
• Duty Station: Mykolaiv
• Start date: ASAP

Salary and 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: 22 December 2025