Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HDP) Programme Manager

Danish Refugee Council (DRC)  is an international non-governmental organization, which has been operating in Ukraine for more than 10 years with emergency and durable solution interventions for assisting IDPs, returnees, Host communities, and conflict-affected populations. With the outbreak of the conflict in February 2022, DRC has shifted its programming to emergency response to meet the urgent needs of conflict-affected population in the country. Current DRC programming is focusing on protection activities such as protection monitoring, information dissemination, individual protection assistance, and legal aid. DRC is also planning to add to the ongoing emergency protection response activities such as GBV prevention and response, psychosocial support (PSS), and community-based protection. In addition to protection programming, DRC is currently implementing multipurpose cash assistance (MPCA), NFI and food distributions, shelter & WASH interventions, and economic recovery, humanitarian demining and explosive ordnance risk education. The organization counts with 6 offices in the country.

Overall purpose of the role:

The Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding Programme Manager (HDP PM) will support the Head of HDP with strategic planning and prgramme implementation to ensure that all HDP projects are in line with donor requirements and implemented to the highest technical standards. The HDP PM will have line management of the Victim Assistance Team Leader, the Legal and Advocacy Specialist and two HDP programme support staff. HDP PM will also seek Peacebuilding opportunities in Ukraine under the HDP sector. Moreover, HDP PM will support Head of HDP in the overall external liaison and organizational representation, when required.

Responsibilities

Oversight of HDP Programme Implementation

• Support HoHDP with monitoring implementation of ongoing projects, including Humanitarian Demining, EORE, VA, Advocacy, and Peacebuilding, by liaising with HDP teams in Country Office and at area level, raising issues that require course correction and making suggestions for improvement of the programme.
• Ensure delivery of high-quality progress reports for HDP donors and HQ on regular and ad-hoc basis, drawing on input from other HDP team members in Country Office and at area level.
• Manage and monitor assigned budgets, report and correct any discrepancies, under the supervision of the HoHDP.

HDP Strategic Planning

• Support the HoHDP, the Operations Manager (OM) and the Area TFMs with strategic planning and implementation of DRC HDP projects.
• Provide input into new project proposals and lead the proposal development process.
• Support integration of HDP with other DRC sectors by working closely with other DRC project managers and providing HDP input into DRC emergency response programmes and other integrated initiatives.

Management of Victim Assistance (VA) and Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) Advocacy

• Line manage the VA Team Leader and provide oversight, direction and mentorship to the VA team. Coordinate and monitor VA activities in Ukraine and ensure implementation of DRC’s Victim Assistance Strategy, in compliance with DRC guidelines and international mine action standards.
• Provide direction, support and mentorship to the Legal and Advocacy Specialist and coordinate DRC’s HMA advocacy work, together with the DRC Advocacy Coordinator and the Head of HDP.
• Line manage the HDP Programme Specialist and Officer, provide mentorship and capacity development opportunities. Conduct performance development reviews for all staff under line management.
• Identify, plan and monitor peacebuilding opportunities – e.g. conflict analysis and management initiatives – under the DRC HDP plans
• Manage and provide capacity development and mentorship to all staff under their line management.
• Engage in high-level liaison work with key stakeholders, including national, regional, local government authorities, and (inter)national humanitarian community in DRC’s implementational locations.

External Relations and Communication

• Develop and maintain linkages with all key stakeholders related to the projects and ensure proper coordination and their involvement.
• Upon HoHDP request, act as DRC’s representative for external parties at various field visits, national and international MA events, government liaison, etc.

Experience and technical competencies: 

Essential:

• Minimum 5 years’ previous experience in humanitarian/development sector at management or coordination levels.
• Minimum 2 years’ previous experience in humanitarian mine action.
• Proven management skills and a competence in people management;
• Proven practical knowledge of the project cycle management;
• Proven ability in management and planning of project budgets;
• Good communication, presentation and reporting skills;
• Experience of working in insecure environments;
• Outstanding knowledge of MS Office Package and high digital literacy.
• Experience in conflict contexts
• Willingness to embrace and further develop cross-cutting objectives such as gender equity, impact monitoring, and cross-sector cooperation.

Desirable

• Experience in victim assistance, HMA advocacy and/or conflict management
• Knowledge of humanitarian mine action concepts and International Mine Action Standards.
• Familiarity with IM systems such as Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA)
• Previous working experience in a mine-affected country, or a context similar to Ukraine
• Knowledge of Ukrainian and/or Russian languages.
• Understanding of IMSMA.

Education: 

Master’s degree in conflict management, conflict prevention, international development or other relevant field from a recognized institution, or relevant working experience.

Fluency in written and spoken English.

We offer

• Contract length: 12 months
• Band: F – -Manager
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv / Non-family duty station
• Start date: As soon as possible.
• Salary and other conditions are offered in accordance with DRC’s Terms of Employment for international 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: 11 June 2023