Victim Assistance Working Group Lead

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 will continue significant scale-up in 2024 to implement 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 an Explosive Ordnance Victim Assistance Technical Expert (Victim Assistance Working Group Lead) to join our team in Kyiv. The role is expected to travel to field locations, e.g. Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Mykolaiv.

The overall purpose of the role:

The Victim Assistance Working Group Lead (VA WG Lead) will provide leadership and facilitate processes to ensure a coordinated, strategic, coherent, and effective response. The Lead will be responsible for coordinating the Victim Assistance Working Group, facilitating collaboration among stakeholders, and ensuring the development and implementation of key guidelines, standards, and processes. The role will also focus on researching, analyzing, and advocating for the needs of Explosive Ordnance victims and people with disability (PwD) in Ukraine. The Lead will work closely with the Humanitarian, Disarmament and Peacebuilding Programme Manager and relevant clusters, ministries, and other stakeholders to enhance the delivery of victim assistance services.

Your main responsibilities will be:

Coordination of the Victim Assistance Working Group (VA WG)

• Overall responsibility for the VA WG, including setting priorities and developing both long-term strategic and operational plans in close collaboration with VA WG members, the VA WG co-chair and the HDP Program Manager.
• Co-chair the Victim Assistance Working Group, including organizing VA WG meetings and VA Coordination Roundtables, agenda-setting and producing minutes.
• Ensure cooperation among members and partners to strengthen cooperation, and sharing of experience, expertise, and best practice contributing to a coordinated and comprehensive VA response across Ukraine.
• Collaborate with the co-chair of the VA WG as well as members and other stakeholders (e.g. WG Coordinators, Government etc.) to develop key guidelines (e.g. on cash assistance), SOPs, and standards to facilitate a standardized VA response across Ukraine.
• Provide technical guidance and support to VA WG members in the implementation of standardized processes for VA.
• Help to map and establish relations with Government and VA-relevant stakeholders from civil society to develop and strengthen referral pathways and procedures for cases requiring specialized and other support services for EO survivors.
• Establish and maintain close coordination with other relevant clusters and working groups, including Mine Action AoR, Economic Recovery, Protection, Rehabilitation, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), and Health sectors.
• Map VA service providers across Ukraine and develop efficient mechanisms to track needs, identify gaps, and coordinate efforts among VA providers.Represent DRC and the VA WG in relevant external VA-related meetings and forums.

Research, Analysis and Advocacy

• Develop assessments and studies, such as e.g. on the needs as well as stigmatization of EO victims and PwD in Ukraine and make recommendations for programming to DRC and the VA sector as a whole.
• Based on the results of needs assessments, studies and consultations with stakeholders of the VA WG, work with a media agency to design and launch advocacy and awaress raising mass media campaigns.
• Develop advocacy messages and initiatives in consultation with the DRC Advocacy Coordinator and DRC Legal Assistance Unit.
• Ensure that assessment and analysis findings highlighting key needs of EO victims and gaps in the VA response in Ukraine are utilized in advocacy and external engagement efforts.
• Perform other relevant tasks as requested by and in discussion with the HDP Programme Manager.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 3 years of experience, preferably in explosive ordnance victim assistance, disability inclusion, social work, protection, counselling or related humanitarian fields.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Degree in social work, inclusion, psychology, (special) education or similar professional qualification is required.
• Experience in coordination roles, particularly in leading working groups or clusters, is an asset.
• Knowledge of International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and National Mine Action Standards is an asset.
• Strong coordination, communication, and leadership skills; proven ability to work with a wide range of (natipnal and international) stakeholders, including government bodies, civil society, and international organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to distill key points from extensive information.
• 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.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems.
• Full professional proficiency in English is required; fluency in Ukrainian required.

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: One-year contract depending on performance and funding after successful completion of 3 months’ probation period
• Band: G- non-management 
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv, with frequent travels to field locations.
• Start date: asap

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for 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: 15th November 2024