Shelter and Settlement Technical Specialist (Infrastructure and WASH)

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 Shelter and Settlement Technical Specialist (Infrastructure and WASH). The position may be based in either Kyiv or Mykolaiv, depending on where the successful candidate is based. Regular travel to other areas (Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro) and the Country Office is expected, constituting up to 50% of working time.

About the job

The Shelter, Settlement, WASH & Infrastructure (SWI) Technical Specialist is responsible for providing specialist technical oversight and support across DRC Ukraine’s large-scale Infrastructure, WASH and energy interventions, within the Shelter, WASH & Infrastructure (SWI) sector. The role sits within the SWI sector and is coordinated by the Shelter & Settlements Technical Coordinator. The Specialist will roll out, fine-tune, and continuously improve existing guidance, tools, and SOPs, working alongside area teams to ensure they are fit-for-purpose. The Specialist will identify needs for new guidance and tools, support the training and mentoring of programme staff, and actively seek opportunities to expand infrastructure and WASH programming to other areas of DRC Ukraine’s operations where needs exist. In coordination with the Head of Programme, the Specialist will support business development by contributing to concept notes and proposals, and provide technical input to DRC’s sector, area and country strategies on infrastructure and WASH. The Specialist will ensure that all programming meets relevant international technical standards, Ukrainian building codes, and all applicable national legislation, and will complement the work of the S&S Technical Coordinator by bridging programme development and field implementation.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Technical Support, Field Monitoring, and Capacity Building 

• Roll out, apply, and continuously improve existing technical guidance, tools, SOPs, and templates for infrastructure and WASH programming, working closely with field teams to ensure they are practical, up-to-date, and contextually appropriate for the Ukraine operating environment.
• Identify gaps in existing guidance and tools and lead the development of new materials to address emerging needs across infrastructure and WASH programming, in coordination with the S&S Technical Coordinator and field teams.
• Design and deliver training and mentoring programmes for programme staff on infrastructure and WASH technical standards, including induction of new staff, on-the-job coaching, and structured training sessions, in coordination with shelter managers and the S&S Technical Coordinator.
• Proactively identify opportunities to expand Infrastructure and WASH programming to new geographic areas within DRC Ukraine’s footprint, conducting needs assessments and engaging relevant stakeholders (local authorities, communities, clusters) to build the evidence base for new interventions.
• In coordination with the S&S Technical Coordinator and the HoP, contribute to the development of concept notes, proposals, and donor reports by providing technical input on infrastructure and WASH activities, indicative costs, and implementation modalities to support resource mobilisation.
• Provide engineering technical guidance for the delivery of ongoing programming.
• Provide expert technical guidance to field teams on large-scale and complex Infrastructure, WASH and energy interventions, including technical assessments, feasibility studies, design specifications, system rehabilitation and procurement, in compliance with Ukrainian building codes and relevant national legislation.
• Support programme teams to ensure efficient and effective delivery of Infrastructure, WASH and energy activities in line with work plans, budgets, and donor requirements.
• Work with the Supply Chain team and shelter managers to develop comprehensive procurement packages (Tender, BoQ, and Specifications) for specialist contractors engaged in the reconstruction or rehabilitation of key buildings, WASH infrastructure, public facilities, and other priority infrastructure identified through community assessments.
• Support the harmonization and standardization of shelter team interactions with supply chain and finance teams, outlining common procedures and responsibilities to streamline programme delivery.
• Travel regularly (up to 50% of time) to area offices, country office and field locations to engage with programme teams, provide on-site technical support, monitor ongoing programming, identify opportunities for expansion, and promote learning and cross-fertilisation across teams.
• Engage with MEAL focal points to ensure robust monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance processes are in place for infrastructure and WASH projects, and contribute to learning and documentation of good practice.

Reporting and Quality Assurance 

• Provide technical guidance and inputs into contracts, scopes of work, and programme implementation documents for Infrastructure and WASH activities. 
• Develop and review project technical documents, including engineering assessments, feasibility studies, design reports, and specifications.
• In coordination with MEAL and programme focal points, contribute to project tracking, donor reporting, and lessons learned documentation as relevant.
• Support the S&S Technical Coordinator, HoP and grants team to develop strong, technically sound proposals and concept notes in line with DRC’s country strategy, identified needs, and operational capacities.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have minimum 5 years of practical experience in structural or civil engineering, with demonstrated experience in large-scale infrastructure and/or WASH projects in Ukraine. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Degree in structural or civil engineering (Ukrainian state certification a strong asset).
• Expert knowledge of Ukrainian building codes (DBN), technical regulations, and relevant national legislation governing construction, rehabilitation, and WASH infrastructure.
• Proven skills in structural assessment, project planning and design, technical specification writing, BoQ development, and contract management.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and relevant engineering or design software.
• Experience in managing or overseeing large-scale public infrastructure rehabilitation, including public buildings and WASH systems.
• Experience working with national partners, local/government authorities, and UN organizations or clusters in Ukraine.
• Full professional proficiency in Ukrainian and professional proficiency in English required.

Desirable

• Experience working for an international NGO.
• Experience developing technical guidance, tools, and training materials, and in delivering capacity building to programme staff.

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-month contract following successful completion of 3-month probation period.
• Band: G2 - non management.
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv or Mykolaiv, depending on where the successful candidate is based.
• Start date: 1 August 2026.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national contract.

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: 23 June 2026.

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