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 highly-qualified Area Manager to lead its operations in Mykolaiv (Kherson and Mykolaiv oblasts).
About the job
The Area Manager leads DRCโs operations in Mykolaiv and Kherson oblasts, ensuring the effective delivery of programmes and the sound management of Program, Support, and Safety teams. The role is accountable for achieving strategic objectives, fostering strong relationships with beneficiaries, authorities, and humanitarian partners, and ensuring a safe and inclusive operational environment. As DRCโs lead representative in the area, the Area Manager provides strategic leadership, drives operational excellence, and contributes to coordination and decision-making at both area and country levels.
Your main duties and responsibilities will be:
Representation and stakeholder engagement
Primary DRC representative in the area of operation, ensuring active participation in all relevant humanitarian and government forums/meetings to strengthen DRCโs visibility and collaboration with key actors. Build and maintain positive relationships with humanitarian organizations, government authorities and other relevant stakeholders in the area of operation. Identify and communicate advocacy needs to the Advocacy Coordinator to ensure they are addressed. Country Officeโs Focal point regarding external engagement in the area (e.g. donor visit)Supervision of safety and security
Manage and ensure that DRC operations are aligned with DRC risk appetite and conducted in accordance with DRC safety and security standards. Ensure a safe and secure environment for DRC staff, beneficiaries, and assets by keeping local security procedures up to date and ensuring that SOPs are followed in line with Security Management Plans and DRC policies. Together with Safety and IMT members, lead the management and decision making around critical incidents in the area. Ensure security analysis supports timely strategic decision-making specific to the area of operation.Supervision of program departments
Ensure the DRC strategy in Ukraine is adapted to the local context, needs, and capacities. Support the feasibility & relevance of expanding DRC hard-to-reach (populations and areas) presence and activities, synergies with Partners, Partner led implementation, integrated programming, bridges between emergency response and early recovery interventions. Ensure projects are implemented on time, with high quality, and in alignment with DRCโs global and country programme strategy, PCM standards, processes, and tools. Conduct regular spot checks of the tools used and updates at area level to ensure accuracy and that quality standards are met. Conduct field visits as an independent eye to monitor for quality, efficiency and effectiveness of DRCs activities and help overcome challenges as needed.Supervision of support departments
Oversee the financial, HR and supply chain management of the Area, ensure appropriate and cost-efficient planning, forecast and use of DRC funding and in line with DRC global and in country standards, processes and tools. Conduct regular spot checks of the tools used and updates at area level to ensure accuracy and that quality standards are met. Ensure that the area structures are appropriately designed, sized, equipped and trained to facilitate smooth operations, anticipating changes and ensuring cost efficiency.Team management and capacity building
Ensure overall provision of and adherence to DRC policies, procedures, guidelines, systems and standard practices Manage direct reports, including recruitment, development, people planning, performance management, and performance appraisals. Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement by setting clear objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) for staff management. Foster staff development through mentoring, coaching and capacity building to strengthen both technical and soft skills. Encourage continuous learning and professional growth within the team and in line with DRC capacities and mandate.Internal coordination
As a member of the E-SMT, ensure the effective implementation and roll-out of SMT decisions across the area. Foster a deep understanding of DRCโs mandate, ways of working, processes, and tools within the team to align with organizational goals and practices. Actively contribute to a positive, caring, and constructive communication culture. Address challenges collaboratively, manage staff frustrations by balancing operational constraints with flexibility, and ensure timely resolution of issues. Promote a clear and shared vision within the team, ensuring that initiatives and ideas are well-structured to maintain operational coherence and focus. This includes troubleshooting and providing advice, recommendations and guidance as needed.About you
To be successful in this role, you will have proven area management experience in complex and volatile environments, with a minimum of 5 years overseeing humanitarian and early recovery, multi-sector, and multi-donor programmes. You will bring strong leadership skills, a track record in people management, and the ability to coordinate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including partners, donors, and authorities.
Moreover, we also expect the following:
Required
Minimum of 5 years of experience in project, programme, base, or area management roles. Minimum of 5 years of experience in people management, including identifying capacity gaps and providing mentoring, training, and support to ensure effective performance and professional development. Proven ability to coordinate with multiple actors, manage relationships with partners, donors, and local stakeholders, and represent the organisation in coordination forums to advocate for organisational priorities. Strong analytical skills with the ability to quickly identify issues, develop solutions, and implement corrective actions in dynamic and challenging environments. Demonstrated capacity to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines without compromising quality, maintaining focus and professionalism in high-pressure and fast-paced settings. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, convey complex information clearly, and maintain effective relationships. Full professional proficiency in EnglishDesirable
Experience managing multiple bases or offices. Previous experience in the Protection, Humanitarian Mine Action, Economic Recovery, Basic Needs, and Shelter sectors. Previous experience in Support Services or Programmes.In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRCโ 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 the possibility of extension based on funding and satisfactory performance. Level: E2- Managerial Duty Station: Mykolaiv, non-family duty station Start date: November 2025Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Councilโs Terms of Employment for employees on national and interantional contracts; 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: 27th August 2025
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and DRC reserves the right to proceed with the recruitment before the deadline if a suitable candidate is identified.