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 Deputy Head of Programme to join our team in Kyiv.
About the role:
The Deputy Head of Programme (DHOP) will provide essential support to the Head of Programme (HoP) in implementing DRC’s country strategy in Ukraine. The DHOP will assist the HoP by overseeing Programme Department units that facilitate program development and quality management, including the Grants Department, MEAL Department, and Communications Department. The DHOP will collaborate with the Programme Department’s Technical Coordinators, Area Office Area Programme Managers (APMs) and Sector Managers, along with other relevant departments and units within the Country Office to ensure effective cooperation in achieving this objective.
- Reporting to: Head of Programme
- Direct reports: Legal Manager, MEAL Manager, Grants Management Manager, Communications Manager
Your main duties and responsibilities will be:
People Management
- Line manage the programme staff under direct supervision, including people planning, performance evaluation, well-being, and development. This involves setting objectives, providing regular feedback, conducting performance reviews, ensuring staff receive necessary support and training, and fostering a positive work environment.
- Act as deputy line manager for the Head of Programme in their absence. This entails overseeing daily operations, making critical decisions, addressing any issues that arise, and maintaining continuity in leadership and management.
Programme Strategy
- Assist the Head of Programme upon request in the development of the country strategy. Participation may include conducting research, analyzing data, collaborating with stakeholders, and drafting sections of strategic documents to ensure alignment with organisational goals.
- Ensure that the development of new proposals and concepts reflects DRC’s strategy and mandate in Ukraine.
Grants Management
- Provide input to the Programme strategy when requested by the Head of Programme. This would involve offering insights based on field experiences, identifying funding opportunities, and suggesting priority areas for intervention.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the business development strategy in Ukraine. This includes pinpointing potential donors, preparing detailed project proposals, and establishing long-term partnerships to secure financial support.
- Lead the planning and development of concept papers, budgets, and project proposals through the management of the Grants Management Manager. Tasks include organizing brainstorming sessions, liaising
- with team members to gather information, and compiling comprehensive documents that align with donor requirements.
- Ensure accurate and timely narrative and financial reporting to donors. Responsibilities include monitoring project progress, collecting relevant data, drafting reports, reviewing financial statements, and ensuring compliance with donor guidelines.
- Conduct donor mapping to ensure that the HoP can externally engage with knowledge of relevant donor priorities and business intelligence. Keep donor mapping up to date, including innovative and non-traditional donors as relevant.
Legal Aid Management
- Manage the legal aid platform team responsible for operating DRC's Ukraine digital legal aid platform. This role involves coordinating team activities, troubleshooting technical issues, coordination with protection teams, maintaining updated legal resources, and ensuring clients receive effective and timely assistance.
Monitoring Evaluation Accountability & Learning
- Oversee the management of the Country Office MEAL team through the line management of the Country Office MEAL Manager
- Ensure DRC’s program design is data and evidence driven through coordinating with the MEAL manager on the implementation of relevant assessments in existing or new project locations
- Enable and oversee the monitoring and evaluation of implementation activities across the entire country operation
- Ensure that relevant beneficiary data is collected, compiled and analyzed, with findings distributed as needed
- Support the continuous learning of implementation teams and country programme through provision of relevant analysis and evidence
- Support the country operation’s Accountability to Affected Populations approach, including through support to Community Feedback Mechanisms.
Communications
- Oversee the management of the Comms Team via the line management of the Comms Manager
- In coordination with the Communications Manager, oversee the implementation of DRC’s Strategic Communications Plan as a key element of the Country Strategy Implementation Plan.
- Provide regular internal and external reports, and other relevant information on programme activities. Coordinate with the Communications Manager to implement donor/project specific communications plans which highlight DRC’s operational and technical capacity.
- Provide regular internal and external reports on policy matters and external relations.
About you
To succeed in this role, we expect you to have at least 3-5 years of experience managing or technically supporting programming in complex crises and at least 2 years of experience with people management require.
Moreover, we also expect the following:
- Bachelor's degree in international relations, social work, law or another relevant field
- Demonstrated experience working with both humanitarian and development donors such as BHA, SIDA, USAID, the EU, ECHO, the UN and others
- Knowledge of and experience with DRC’s program sectors in Ukraine (e.g. protection, shelter and settlements, and economic recovery) or other DRC country operation an asset
- Previous proven experience in programs implemented through direction implementation, local partners, and in remote management
- Proven experience in capacity building and training of national staff and local partners
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft office
- Full professional proficiency in English
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 depending on performance and funding after successful completion of 3-month probation period
- Band: F.1 - managerial
- Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv, non-family.
- Start date: July 2025
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on expatriate 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: 9th July 2025
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.
Working at DRC
Help applying
DRC as an employer
Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world - and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 30 countries, we protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of over 6000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:
- Professionalism, impact & expertise
- Humanitarian approach & the work we do
- Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
- Culture, values & strong leadership
- Fair compensation & continuous development
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.