Humanitarian Mine Action Specialist (Victim Assistance)

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 highly qualified Humanitarina Mine Action Specialist (Victim Assistance) 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:

Within its Explosive Ordnance Victim Assistance (VA) programme, DRC has been supporting survivors of explosive ordnance (EO) accidents and incidents involving explosive weapons (EW) with cash assistance and has been conducting inclusion trainings for communities. DRC also founded the Victim Assistance Technical Working Group (VA WG) and has been co-chairing this working group. The overall objective of the VA WG is to contribute to a comprehensive and standardized response, and coordinating respective activities through collaboration with other relevant ministries and actors, including survivor organizations and organizations for PwD.

The VA Specialist will be responsible for quality assurance, technical guidance and support to area Protection teams that are supporting EO/EW victims through cash assistance, deliver inclusion training and other Protection activities. The role will develop SOPs, relevant materials, and conduct capacity strengthening for area Protection teams and develop VA-relevant assessments, studies and advocacy as well as awareness raising campaigns. The Specialist will also coordinate the VA WG in close consultation with the HDP Program Manager.

Your main responsibilities will be:

Technical Guidance, Quality Assurance and Capacity Strengthening

• Under the guidance of the HDP Programme Manager, provide technical support to field protection teams on VA-related topics, inclusion and the integration of PwD into Protection programming to ensure quality implementation of the VA deliverables according to global standards/guides and country specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Identify technical gaps in relation to overall project implementation/VA service delivery and provide recommendations to improve program quality, and support to implement recommendations.
• Contribute to the development and adaptation of necessary tools, forms, technical guides and SOPs for DRC VA-related activities.
• Respond to ad hoc requests for technical support from area Protection teams, provide clear guidance and mentoring, especially where gaps are identified.
• Ensure mainstreaming of inclusion principles and age, gender, and diversity aspects into all of DRC’s work including through provision of trainings to DRC staff and partner organizations on Age, Gender and Diversity, development of training materials for community-based AGD trainings, and support for implementation of PAGD mainstreaming action plans.
• Collaborate with other sectors to ensure integration, synergy, and identify opportunities for collaboration/better coordination between teams.

Coordination of the Victim Assistance Working Group (VA WG)

• Support the HDP Programme Manager to 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 in Ukraine.
• Collaborative with the co-chair of the VA WG as well as members and other stakeholders (e.g. WG Coordinators, Government etc.) to support in the development of key guidelines (e.g. on cash assistance), SOPs, and standards to facilitate a standardized VA response across Ukraine.
• 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.
• Represent DRC at relevant external VA-related meetings.

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 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 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.
• Fluency in Ukrainian required, full professional proficiency in English.
• Strong 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.
• Excellent training and capacity-building skills.
• 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.

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: Open ended contract after successful completion of three months’ probation period.
• Band: G – non-management
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv
• Start date: September 2024

Salary and conditions will be 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: 14th of August 2024