HMA Officer (Explosive Ordnance Victim Assistance Officer)

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 700 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 a HMA Officer (Explosive Ordnance Victim Assistance Officer) in Kyiv.  The role is expected to travel to field locations, e.g. Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Mykolaiv.

About the job

You will be responsible for supporting the organization of VA WG meetings and Victim Assistance Coordination Roundtables. The role will also contribute to the development of SOPs, and other relevant (outreach) materials, VA-relevant assessments, studies and advocacy as well as awareness raising campaigns. Your responsibilities will also provide Targeted Individual Assistance (i.e. cash grants) to explosive ordnance victims in cases when support from DRC area teams is requested.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Support to the Victim Assistance Working Group (VA WG)

• Support the organization of VA WG meetings, VA Coordination Roundtables (VA RT) and other public events on the rights and needs of explosive ordnance victims and people with disabilities (PwD);
• Contribute to the follow up of discussion results of the VA WG and other events;
• Assist in the development of guidance notes, assessments, advocacy messages and other products based on the results of VA WG’s and VA RTs’ work;
• Ensure cooperation among VA WG members and partners to strengthen cooperation, and sharing of experience, expertise, and best practice contributing to a coordinated and comprehensive VA response in Ukraine.

Research, Analysis and Advocacy

• Contribute to the development of assessments and studies, such as e.g. on the needs as well as stigmatization of EO victims and PwD in Ukraine;
• Based on the results of needs assessments, studies and consultations with stakeholders of the VA WG, assist the VA Specialist in their work with a media agency to design and launch advocacy mass media campaigns;
• Support developing 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;
• Help to map 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.

Support to Explosive Ordnance Victims, Capacity Strengthening, and Other

• In case support from area teams is requested, provide Targeted Individual Assistance (i.e. conditional cash grants) to direct and indirect victims of EO/EW accidents contributing to the improvement of their socio-economic situation;
• Contribute to the development and adaptation of necessary tools, forms, technical guides and SOPs for DRC VA-related activities as well as support the VA Specialist to develop capacity strengthening materials for DRC staff and partners;
• Support collaboration with other sectors to ensure integration, synergy, and identify opportunities for collaboration/better coordination between teams;
• Liaise with DRC support departments and initiate procurements and ensure their execution;
• Perform other relevant tasks as requested by and in discussion with the HDP Programme Manager and VA Specialist.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to at least 2 years of experience, preferably in mine victim assistance, disability inclusion, social work, case management, 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;
• Technical knowledge of VA and inclusion practices;
• Knowledge of International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) and National Mine Action Standards is an asset;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with vulnerable individuals, staff members, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• 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: 12 months, with a 3-month probation period.
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv (30% travel).
• Start date: October.
• Salary and conditions are in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment.

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 September 2024.

CVs will be reviewed on a rolling basis, we encouage qualified candidates to apply as soon as possible.