Economic Recovery Specialist

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 an Economic Recovery Specialist to join our team in Sumy (with regular field visits within the oblast).

About the job 

Under the line management of the Area Programme Manager and technical supervision of the Economic Recovery Technical Coordinator, the Economic Recovery Specialist will primarily support partner-led implementation of Economic Recovery activities in Sumy oblast.

The position focuses on providing day-to-day technical, operational and project cycle management support to implementing partners, including mentoring, capacity strengthening and quality assurance across all stages of the project cycle. When required, the role may also support limited direct implementation activities.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Partner support & capacity strengthening

• Provide day-to-day technical support and guidance to implementing partners delivering Economic Recovery activities.
• Support partners across the full project cycle, including project initiation, work planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and closure, in line with DRC and donor requirements.
• Lead and contribute to partner capacity strengthening initiatives, including coaching, training and development of tools related to PCM, MEAL integration, AAP, protection mainstreaming, safeguarding and gender-sensitive programming.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to partner activities, providing structured feedback and follow-up on agreed action points.

Project cycle management & quality assurance

• Support partners in the development and updating of key PCM tools, including work plans, PIPs, BFUs and procurement plans.
• Review partners’ monthly narrative and financial reports, ensuring coherence between reported activities, field implementation and supporting documentation.
• Contribute to internal PMM/BFU processes, ensuring accurate forecasting and early identification of implementation risks or delays.
• Support partners in project closure processes, including final reporting and documentation of lessons learned.

Technical support & coordination

• Support needs assessments and analysis related to Economic Recovery, in coordination with the Economic Recovery Technical Coordinator and MEAL teams.
• Conduct and support comprehensive market and value chain analysis to inform Economic Recovery programming.
• Contribute to the development, review and piloting of Economic Recovery methodologies, guidance and tools for partners.
• Ensure that Economic Recovery activities are inclusive and accessible, with particular attention to women, youth, people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
• Participate in relevant coordination mechanisms, including sub-national Food Security & Livelihoods coordination forums, as requested.

About you

To be successful in this role, you are expected to combine strong technical knowledge in Economic Recovery with a solid understanding of partner-led programming in humanitarian settings.

Required

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in economic recovery, livelihoods, economic development, business or finance.
• University degree (Master's degree or higher) in economics, Development Studies, Social Science, Business Administration or Development, or related field to Economic Recovery.
• Proven experience providing technical support and/or capacity strengthening to local partners, CSOs or community-based organisations.
• Strong understanding of project cycle management in humanitarian or early recovery contexts.
• Experience working in conflict-affected or humanitarian settings.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Advanced English and fluent Ukrainian.
• Certified Business Trained.

Desirable

• Experience working with an international NGO.
• Experience in women’s economic empowerment, gender equality or GBV-sensitive programming.
• Experience engaging with private sector actors or livelihood market systems.
• Experience contributing to proposal development and donor reporting.

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 (till end of December 2026) depending on performance and available funding
• Band: G - non-managerial
• Designation of Duty Station: Sumy
• Start date: January 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 22, 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.