Head of Operations

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 and currently employs over 800 staff implementing a multi sectoral  emergency response in the Protection, economic recovery, 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 Head of Operations to join our team in Kyiv, Ukraine.

About the job

The Head of Operations is overall responsible for timely and quality implementation of DRC’s operations thourgh the line management of five Area Managers and the Partnership Management Unit.

The Head of Operations is a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), responsible for cross cutting programmatic delivery and financial management in accordance with contractual obligations and country strategy. The post holder is part of the senior management team (SMT) and supports the Country Director in representing the country operations to government, donors and other stakeholders, working collaboratively with the Head of Programmes (HoP), the Head of Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (HoHDP), Head of Safety (HoS) and the Head of Support Services (HoSS).

Your main responsibilities will be:

Area Staff Management and Capacity Building

• Effectively manage the Area Managers with an emphasis on excellence, promoting a culture of cooperation, learning, creativity, and innovation.
• Development of overall staff competence through leadership, training and coaching of technical and management key field staff.
• Ensure area structures are appropriately designed and sized to ensure operations smooth running, anticipating positioning and context changes

Operations Implementation & Coordination

• Provide oversight, guidance and leadership to all aspects of project delivery and implementation in Ukraine, including ensuring timely reporting, compliance and quality utilizing routine monitoring and feedback into programme implementation.
• Ensure effective and transparent budget follow up, planning and use of financial resources in compliance with DRC and donor policies and priorities and ensure use of program management tools and real time BFU.
• Develop a close and productive working relationship with the technical team in coordination with the HoP to ensure that all aspects of programs are implemented to maximum affect and compliant with DRC and donor regulations.

Safety

• Work with Head of Safety and Area Managers to ensure oversight of implementation of Safety Risk Management System in the Area Offices and project areas.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to be a principled humanitarian with working experience in a range of conflict and post conflict settings  with a strive for  programmatic excellence. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Master’s degree in International Development and/or Humanitarian Assistance, Project Management, or any other related field
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in program management, leadership, and design in countries of conflict or post-conflict,
• Minimum 4 years of experience in managing complex emergency operations, including 2 years at country senior management level

Desirable

• Previous experience working for DRC is a distinct advantage;
• Knowledge of Ukrainian is a distinct advantage;

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: 2 years

Band: E

Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv, Non Family Duty Station

Start date: 02.09.2024

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for International or National Employees.

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: 15 May 2024

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.