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 Protection (Partnership) Team Leader in Kharkiv oblast.
About the job
The Protection Team Leader will oversee the implementation of integrated Protection activities, including General Protection and Victim Assistance. In addition to direct programme implementation, the role includes technical oversight and support to partner organisations implementing Protection and PSS activities, ensuring quality, compliance with DRC standards, and alignment with programme objectives. The position will be based in Kharkiv, with regular field presence across Kharkivska oblast, including frontline and hard-to-reach areas.
Your main duties and responsibilities will be:
Under the supervision of the Protection Manager, the Protection Team Leader will:
- Oversee and coordinate implementation of Protection activities, including General Protection case management, cash-based assistance (C4P, IPA, Older Support), Community-Based Protection, Protection Monitoring and Victim Assistance programming ( TIA, Case management and AGD Inclusion training).
- Ensure quality case management processes, including documentation, confidentiality, prioritisation, and effective referral pathways.
- Supervise and support the Protection team, including planning, task allocation, performance management, and capacity development.
- Coordinate protection monitoring activities (household surveys, FGDs, KIIs), analyse protection risks, and contribute to programme adaptation and advocacy.
- Design and oversee information and awareness-raising activities for affected populations.
- Develop and monitor work plans and track progress against project targets and indicators.
- Support budget monitoring and ensure efficient use of project resources.
- Plan and coordinate logistics, team movements, and procurement processes.
- Maintain up-to-date service mapping and strengthen collaboration with service providers and stakeholders.
- Represent DRC in coordination meetings and maintain effective relationships with partners, authorities, and service providers.
- Ensure timely and accurate reporting to donors and internal stakeholders.
- Contribute to proposal development and programme design.
Responsibilities related to partnership support
- Support the development and implementation of capacity development plans for partner organisations implementing Protection and PSS activities.
- In coordination with the Protection Manager and Technical team, provide technical guidance, training, and coaching to partner staff.
- Develop and implement a monitoring plan and conduct regular field visits to assess the technical quality of partner-led activities.
- Provide structured feedback and practical recommendations to strengthen programme quality and compliance.
- Review partner narrative and financial reports, workplans, and indicator tracking, identifying gaps, delays, and implementation risks.
- Monitor partner procurement processes and ensure technical alignment with programme needs.
- Support mapping, engagement, and coordination with potential and existing partners.
- Collaborate with MEAL to support learning, accountability, and feedback processes.
About you
To be successful in this role we expect you to have minimum 2 years of experience in protection programming in humanitarian settings. Moreover, we also expect the following:
Required
- University degree in International Relations, Social Law, or a related field.
- At least 2 years of experience in people management or team supervision.
- Experience in case management, protection monitoring, PSS, and cash-based assistance.
- English proficiency at B2–C1 level.
- Confident user of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Experience working with or supporting partners.
Desirable
- Strong understanding of protection principles, confidentiality, and safe referral mechanisms.
- Excellent coordination, communication, and analytical skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic and high-risk environment.
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-month probation period, with the possibility of extension as fixed-term contract based on funding availability and performance.
- Band: G-manager
- Designation of Duty Station: Kharkiv
- Start date: June 2026
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national contracts; please refer to our website for more details.
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: 27 May 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.