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 Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) (Country Programme) Manager to join our team in Kyiv.
About the job:
The role of the HMA Country Programme Manager is to provide the overall leadership, management and oversight of the delivery of DRC’s HMA portfolio in Ukraine under the supervision of the Head of Operations and in close coordination with the area office teams in which the HMA field teams operate. The HMA Country Programme Manager also leads on delivery tasks that require a centralized response at the Country Office (CO) level, on behalf of the Head of Operations.
Your main responsibilities will be:
- Provide overall management and strategic oversight of DRC’s HMA portfolio in Ukraine.
- Lead and supervise the national HMA team, ensuring capacity development, performance management and well-being.
- Support operational planning and ensure quality delivery of clearance, survey and risk education activities in coordination with field teams.
- Oversee budget management for HMA projects and ensure compliance with DRC and donor financial procedures.
- Ensure alignment of HMA operations with national mine action standards and DRC SOPs.
- Coordinate with internal departments (MEAL, Supply Chain, Finance, Grants) to ensure effective support and reporting mechanisms.
- Represent DRC with national mine action authorities, UN coordination platforms, and relevant stakeholders.
- Contribute to the development of HMA strategy and ensure strong integration with broader DRC programme objectives.
- Support nationalization and capacity-building efforts for key national staff positions within the HMA team.
- Ensure timely and high-quality internal and external reporting, including to the National Mine Action Authority and donors.
About you
To be successful in this role, we expect you to be a strong and proactive leader with a proven track record in programme and people management, ideally in the HMA or a related humanitarian sector. You are confident navigating complex coordination environments and thrive in multicultural, politically sensitive contexts.
Moreover, we also expect the following:
Required
- At least 5 years of experience in Humanitarian Mine Action, development, or humanitarian programming, including 2 years in a programme/project management role and 2 years in a management role.
- Bachelors or Masters degree in conflict management, conflict prevention, development studies, and social sciences or other relevant field from a recognized institution, or relevant working experience.
- Strong experience in managing large donor-funded programmes, including budget monitoring and donor liaison.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams across multiple locations.
- Proven experience working with national authorities and UN coordination systems.
- Excellent communication and coordination skills.
- Full professional proficiency in English (written and spoken).
Desirable
- Recognised EOD qualifications or other technical mine action credentials (not mandatory).
- Previous experience working in Ukraine or similar complex, politically sensitive environments.
- Proficiency in Ukrainian and/or Russian.
- Experience leading nationalisation and capacity-building efforts in humanitarian programmes.
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, with the possibility of extension based on funding and satisfactory performance
- Band: E2 – Management
- Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv,non-family duty station
- Start date: June/July 2025
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national/international 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: 30th May 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.