Programme Officer (Partnership Officer (Civil Society and Authorities 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 800 staff in Ukraine and implements 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 Programme Officer (Partnership Officer (Civil Society and Authorities Officer)) in Kharkiv.

About the job
Under the supervision of the Area Programme Manager, the Partnership Officer contributes to the development of potential partnership opportunities with civil society organizations (CSOs) and the implementation of projects strengthening the systems of CSOs that support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable population in Ukraine through the development and facilitation of trainings, assessment of CSO needs, field visits and close collaboration with context-relevant stakeholders.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Liaising, mapping, and engaging with focal points:
  • In close coordination with the Area Manager, Area Programme Manager, and the Government Liaison Coordinator, identify, coordinate and organize meetings with key government agencies of area levels; attend meetings and share minutes from meetings with relevant stakeholders at oblast and below level.
  • Lead and coordinate the preparation and signing of general and activity-based Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and other agreements with local authorities, ensuring alignment with DRC national standards.
  • Closely monitor and stay up to date on sub-national and local developments related to governance and civil society operating in areas and sectors relevant to DRC. Share relevant updates and strategic documents with relevant DRC internal focal points.
  • Develop and/or contribute to updates and maintenance of DRC`s stakeholder mappings for government and civil society actors, based on guidance from national colleagues.
  • Ensure regular updates of trackers, sharing of minutes, and communication with national-level colleagues in line with DRC engagement tools and policies.
  • Ensure and maintain strong relationships with DRC Ukraine’s government and civil society partners in alignment with DRC`s partnership principles.

• Design, implementation, and follow-up of projects implemented in partnership with duty bearers and civil society actors:
  • Act as the focal point for communication with duty bearers and CS Partners, facilitating day-to-day interactions, and addressing immediate concerns or queries. Ensure expectations regarding joint projects, documentation, budgets, and timelines are clearly shared and communicated with partner focal points.
  • Prepare MoUs and sub-grant agreements for joint projects with Partners, including any relevant annexes and templates to be used during the partnership. Ensure clear communication with partner focal points regarding the terms of the agreements.
  • Active member of the Project Partnership Working Group as Partner’s (PPWG) focal point.
  • Support the Partner in the preparation of their project implementation tools (e.g. workplans, derogation requests etc.)
  • In close coordination with the Partnership Unit and Program/Technical focal points of projects, support the planning, oversight, and follow-up of projects implemented with Partners. Lead internal and external project management meetings (inductions, kick-off meetings, project management meetings and close out meetings etc.) and coordinate monitoring and spot-checks as agreed in the Project Implementation Plan and with the members of the PPWG.
  • Coordinate internally with DRC colleagues to ensure clear roles and responsibilities and timely, high quality engagement with and support to partners, in line with DRC practices for equitable partnerships.
  • Support in the preparation (drafting) and update of internal project management tools (Project Implementation Plan) to track and monitor progress of partner programming, and other tasks according to Partnership Manual.
  • Prepare templates, receive and coordinate the review and processing of any relevant project documentation or reporting related to the joint project implementation.
  • Ensure documentation and tracking of the partnership and partner projects is updated and stored in line with DRC procedures.
  • Identify potential challenges, risks, or unclarities for joint programming and raise these to both the Partnerships Team and Area Program Manager.

• Capacity exchange and development
  • Coordinate and/or conduct capacity needs assessment with Partners.
  • When required, support the Partnerships Specialist (Capacity Development) and relevant support teams in developing and implementing organizational capacity development support for partners on topics such as accountability, procurement, financial management, HR processes etc.

• Organizational risk assessments and compliance
  • Conduct relevant risk assessments with Partners such as red line assessments, vetting and due diligence.
  • Coordinate and conduct high quality and timely due diligence assessments with Partners, including review and consolidation of previously completed assessments.

About you
To be successful in this role we expect you to a calm, diplomatic, and solutions-oriented professional with strong experience in good governance, partnership management, and humanitarian project implementation. You are known for your excellent interpersonal skills, ethical integrity, and ability to build lasting relationships with diverse stakeholders. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experiece in NGOs working with CSOs/local partners and/or implementing humanitarian or development programs.
• Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, social sciences, finance, international development, or any other relevant field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems.
• Fluent Ukrainian language skills.
• Professional working proficiency in English language skills (writing, reading, and speaking).
• Strong writing and editing skills for reports, proposals, and documentation for various audiences.
• Highly organized with efficient time management with attention to deadline.
• Strong understanding of government and civil society actors in Ukraine and their roles and structures, particularly for local and regional actors. Understanding and knowledge of partners in the area is an asset.

Desired

• Desired experience in good governance and capacity development for local/regional governments and/or civil society actors.
• Desired experience in partnership management and support.
• Desired experience in humanitarian project implementation and management.
• 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.
• Strong understanding of Ukrainian legal system with regard to corporate governance.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to promote collaboration as well as build and maintain relationships with partners.
• Effective problem solving skills.
• Calm and diplomatic in nature.

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: 3 months probation period, with the possibility of extension based on funding and satisfactory performance.
• Band: H
• Designation of Duty Station: Kharkiv
• Start date: June, 2025

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff, please refer to our website for more details.

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: May 5th, 2025.
We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible, interviews might be conducted on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to select candidate before the vacancy close date once a suitable candidate has been identified.

Department:

Location: Kharkiv

Application deadline: 05 May 2025