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 Economic Recovery Assistant – Urban Livelihoods in Kharkiv.

About the job

Under the supervision of the Economic Recovery Team Leader, the Economic Recovery Assistant will implement support in the implementation of urban economic recovery activities, including but not limited to the provision of grants and capacity building to micro and small businesses and supporting access to dignified employment. They will work closely with communities, civil society organizations (CSOs), and government services to identify vulnerable individuals in need of support, conduct service mapping, and share information about services available. They will be based in Kharkiv DRC office, with field activities in Kharkiv oblast.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Under the supervision of the Economic Recovery Team Leader, the Economic Recovery Assistant will:

• Implement urban economic recovery programme activities, including but not limited to the provision the provision of grants and capacity building to micro and small businesses and supporting access to dignified employment.
• Build and maintain relationships with relevant governmental, private and non-governmental service providers and other actors in the area of implementation.
• Identify and communicate with Economic Recovery Team Leader on economic recovery needs in designated areas. Ensure to collect both quantitative and qualitative information and data to inform programming.
• Organize and conduct outreach activities, including dissemination of key messages, distribution of IEC materials, and conduction of information sessions, tailored to needs identified.
• Contribute to the quality of DRC’s community-based approach by effectively identifying and coordinating with community stakeholders, key informants and community members.
• Mobilize and build strong rapport with communities through consistent engagement with community-based structures and adhering to dignified, culturally sensitive approaches.
• Coordinate frequently with the Rural Economic Recovery team to share information, lessons learned and ensure the coherence of economic recovery programming.
• Coordinate with other departments in DRC to facilitate referrals and information sharing.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Economic Recovery Team Leader and/or Economic Recovery Manager, relevant to the achievement of Economic Recovery objectives.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to support the planning, implementation and follow-up of all urban economic recovery activities being implemented by DRC, as well as to develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern, communities, relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of DRC’s sector activities and support the quality and sustainability of economic recovery programming.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Relevant certificate or degree (e.g. international development, or economics) or equivalent professional qualification.
• Interest in business development and creating employment opportunities for vulnerable populations.
• Comfortable in speaking about sensitive topics and working with people in distress.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with vulnerable individuals, 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.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems.
• Fluent Ukrainian language skills.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in a similar role.
• Understanding of business development and market linkage creation.
• Familiarity with business grants.
• Good English language skills.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s 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: I
Duty Station: Kharkiv
Start date: As soon as possible.

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: recruitment will be on rolling basis.