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 Emergency Specialist in Kherson, Ukraine.  

About the job

Under the management of the Area Programme Manager the Emergency Specialist will provide technical guidance, daily support, mentoring and training for implementing Basic Needs activities both directly and as led by partners, in close coordination with the Partnership Officers. She/he will be responsible for planning and follow-up of Basic Needs activities, including coordinating with other departments in DRC and external partners in both Mykolaivska and Khersonska Oblasts. The Emergency Specialist is line managed by the Area Programme Manager in Mykolaiv and he/she is technically supervised at country level by the DRC Emergency Program Specialist.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

  • Provide technical supervision and guidance for all Emergency/ Basic Needs activities, including multi-purpose cash assistance (MPCA), winter energy needs distributions (solid fuel, utilities), and/or any other form of in-kind-non-food items (NFI).
  • Ensure beneficiary selection is done on time and in-line with DRC standards and distribution plans are prepared and shared with other departments in a timely manner.
  • Support local partners implementing emergency programs though the project cycle, including planning, implementation, and monitoring of partner-led activities (including cash and non-food items) according to compliance standards and quality requirements.
  • Provide day-to-day support to partners across all stages of programming, including registration, data management, payment processes, and preparation of required documentation.
  • Support implementing partners and direct implementation staff through regular communication, capacity building, and promotion of best practices on emergency and basic needs programming.
  • Ensure close collaboration with the Partnership team at the area of operation regarding the Partnership components in the portfolio and support quality programming and partners’ capacities.
  • Support in the development and revisions of methodologies, guidance, and tools for emergency implementing partners.

Program Development and Strategy

  • Contribute to proposal development for both direct and partner led implementation, including budgeting, activity planning, partner engagement, and the definition of log frame targets, ensuring strategic coherence, operational feasibility, and alignment with sectoral and cross-cutting priorities.
  • Drive the development and growth of the relevant programs within the DRC program objectives and feed into country-wide strategy development.

Accountability and reporting

  • Provide inputs for monthly, quarterly, and annual donor reports.
  • Ensure implementing partners’ activities are monitored according to standards and review partners reports for technical accuracy and compliance with DRC standards; contribute to identify capacity gaps and areas for further support based on reporting and partner engagement.
  • Oversee knowledge sharing across teams and implementing partners and ensure that monitoring and evaluation results are understood and used to improve project and program implementation.
  • In line with DRC guidelines, monitor and recommend relevant accountability initiatives in projects and strengthen efforts to document the impact of activities.
  • Support communication and coordination with the MEAL team regarding the planning, implementation, and monitoring of activities.
  • Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement.

Coordination and Representation

  • Ensure effective cross-sector, MEAL, and partnership collaboration throughout the project cycle. Support internal referral mechanisms and foster constructive communication to improve overall program quality and partner performance.
  • Represent DRC and actively participate in relevant sectoral and area coordination forums, sub-national Clusters and Working Groups in the area of operation.
  • Ensure positive working relations and coordination with implementing partners, relevant emergency actors in intervention areas, UN agencies; cooperate as needed with local authorities and other stakeholders.
  • Support the mapping update of services in the area of operation.

Any other duties as may be assigned by the line manager, relevant to the achievement of DRC objectives.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have minimum 3 years of proven experience in emergency programming and the humanitarian sector working for an INGO/NGO. Moreover, we also expect the following: 

Required

  • University degree: Bachelor's or Master's degree in political or social sciences, international development, economics or other relevant field.
  • At least one year of experience in project management.
  • Proven experience in complex emergency and recovery contexts.
  • Computer literacy: Excellent skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Experience in project development.
  • Languages: Fluency in Ukrainian; full professional proficiency in English.

Desirable

  • Experience in carrying out humanitarian interventions through and in coordination with implementing and local partner organizations is an asset.
  • Excellent writing and editing skills for external audiences (including governments and donors).
  • Experience in producing high-quality technical material (training material, program tools, proposals, strategic documents, etc.).
  • Experience in working with Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning.

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 with a possibility of extension

Band: G-Non-Manager

Designation of Duty Station: Kherson, Ukraine

Start date: as soon as possible

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees; please refer to our website.

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: 5 April 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.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.