Humanitarian Mine Action (Explosive Ordnance Victim Assistance) Specialist

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.

Join us for a short-term contract!

DRC is currently looking for a Humanitarian Mine Action (Explosive Ordnance Victim Assistance) Specialist to join our team in Kyiv. This is a great opportunity to contribute your skills in a fast-paced environment while gaining valuable experience. If you're ready for this challenge, read the details below!

About the role

Under the direct supervision of the Protection Technical Lead, you will provide technical leadership and guidance on the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of Victim Assistance (VA) programming in Ukraine.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Technical Guidance, Quality Assurance and Capacity Strengthening

• Provide technical support to field protection teams on VA-related topics, inclusion and the integration of People with Disabilities (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 (AGD), development of training materials for community-based AGD trainings, and support for implementation of AGD 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 DRC’s co-chairing of 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 on the needs of Explosive Ordnance (EO) victims and people with disabilities in Ukraine, including barriers to the realization of their rights, and provide recommendations for DRC programming and VA sector advocacy.
• 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 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.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 3 years of professional experience in Victim Assistance and/or Humanitarian Mine Action programming. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Demonstrated practical experience in facilitating workshops and external meetings.
• Familiarity with IMAS 13.10 standards on Victim Assistance.
• Practical experience in service mapping, referral pathways and coordination with health, rehabilitation, MHPSS, legal aid, social protection and disability service providers.
• Experience engaging with government authorities, organizations of persons with disabilities, civil society actors and humanitarian coordination mechanisms.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with staff members, and partner organisations.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, Windows operating systems.
• Full professional proficiency in English.
• Ukrainian language skills required.
• University degree: advanced university degree in Social Work or related social science discipline

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: Fixed-term employment contract (6 months) for the period of absence of the main employee with a probationary period of 3 months
• Band:G.2 - non-managerial
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv
• Start date: as soon as possible

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national contracts; please refer to our website for more details; starting from EUR 2,574 gross per month (depending on experience and qualifications).

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: July 21st, 2026

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.

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