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 Manager in Sloviansk.
About the job
The Protection Manager will be based in Sloviansk and will be responsible for managing protection activities the Donetsk oblast. Please note that this is a national position. This position will report to the Area Programme Manager with technical supervision from the DRC Country Protection Coordinator.
Your main duties and responsibilities will be:
- Manage all protection programs in Donetsk Ukraine and oversee and line manage the protection team in Sloviansk.
- Coordinate, plan and monitor all protection related project activities, including legal aid, protection monitoring, case management, individual protection assistance (IPA), community-based protection (CBP), psychosocial support (PSS), GBV prevention and response activities, and victim assistance.
- Liaise and coordinate with Protection Cluster, DRC’s partner organizations, and other protection actors in the intervention areas.
- Ensure the highest quality of the sectoral interventions, and the coherence between all projects, ongoing and proposed, according to the overall strategy.
- Take leadership of the programs in terms of high quality and timely deliveries, narrative reporting and financial overviews, close cooperation with donors, Government counterparts and coordination mechanisms on site and in synergy with other DRC interventions in the area.
- Formalize and develop project related operational tools and training modules.
- Provide inputs for monthly, quarterly, and annual donor reports.
- Provide overall budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control for the program activities, including compliance with DRC and donor requirements.
Program development and strategy
- Representation of DRC and active participation in sectoral and relevant sub sectors/working groups.
- Oversee knowledge sharing across teams and ensure that monitoring and evaluation results are understood and used to improve programs.
- Drive the development and growth of the relevant programs within the DRC program objectives and feed into country-wide strategy development.
- Take the lead on proposals and budget development for protection activities in Sloviansk Donetsk Oblast.
Accountability and reporting
- Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook and in coordination with the MEAL department, continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives within relevant project program as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of activities.
- Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement.
People Management
- Recruit and line manage protection staff.
- Provide regular constructive feedback to direct reports, and support direct reports in performance management of their team members.
- Assess training and development needs within the Protection team, develop and implement capacity-building plans.
As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:
- Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
- Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions, and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
- Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
- Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC.
About you
To be successful in this role we expect you to at least 3 years experience working for civil society organizations, humanitarian organizations, NGOs in the protection field. Moreover, we also expect the following:
- Preferably a degree in International Relations, Human Rights, Social Work, Social Science, Humanities or other related field.
- Previous experience in managing protection programs and team members
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with vulnerable groups, staff members, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
- Strong sense of personal integrity and understanding of confidentiality and ethics.
- Excellent writing and editing skills for external audiences (including governments and donors).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems.
- Excellent reporting (including in English) and protection analysis skills.
- Working proficiency in English (writing, speaking, reading) is compulsory.
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 based on funding and satisfactory performance.
- Level: F-2 Manager.
- Duty Station: Sloviansk, covering DRC activities in Donetsk oblast.
- Start date: ASAP.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national 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: 14th July 2025
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 6,000 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.