Area Programme Manager

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 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 Programme Manager to join our team in Mykolaiv. 

About the job:

As the Area Programme Manager, you will lead the implementation of DRC’s area programming, focusing on strengthening protection and resilience for displaced and conflict-affected populations. You will train and support DRC teams and partners to provide timely, high-quality, and accountable assistance while ensuring adherence to DRC’s Project Cycle Management (PCM) standards at all program stages. You will represent DRC in key humanitarian forums, engage with stakeholders, and help shape agendas aligned with DRC’s strategic priorities. Additionally, as a member of the Area Senior Management Team, you will contribute to internal coordination and communication across area and country teams.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Needs assessments: Take the lead on multi-sectoral geographical needs assessments, in collaboration with Technical Coordinators (TC) and the MEAL unit, to maintain awareness of sectoral and geographical needs and capacities in DRC’s operational rayons, ensuring that assessment practices meet required quality standards, including PCM, while regularly updating the Area Manager and Senior Management Team (SMT) on the evolving needs, assessment results, and engagement with external stakeholders to inform project design and improve proposal quality.
• Project design and proposal development: In close coordination with the Program Unit (Head of Programme and Technical Coordinators) and the Grants team, contribute to project proposals, ensuring integration across sectors, operational feasibility, alignment with the area-based strategy, and consideration of hard-to-reach locations and partnerships. Review budgets for coherence and adequate staff coverage, provide capacity building to sectoral managers for project and budget design.
• Project initiation: Coordinate project preparation at the area level by ensuring Sector Managers/Team Leaders (TLs) update the project management tools with clear and realistic implementation plans and forecasting, liaising with relevant colleagues to address any challenges or gaps in SOPs/templates. Organize and facilitate Area-level project kick-off meetings to ensure alignment among stakeholders, with minutes shared and action plans followed up.
• Project implementation:Support Sector Managers in ensuring timely, high-quality project implementation within scope, indicators, and budget. Assist in updating project monitoring tools and forecasting plans to mitigate delays or budget issues. Ensure project review meetings follow SOP standards and facilitate effective preparation and escalation of challenges. Aid in planning, documentation, and Means of Verification (MoVs), collaborating with support services on procurements and involving sector representatives in the tender process. Help with recruitment, performance reviews, and daily management of Sector Managers, while supporting high-quality report preparation and issue resolution throughout the project.
• Project closure: Support the Sector Manager in preparing for project closure according to the Project Cycle Management (PCM) guide and internal SOP requirements, while anticipating staff contract endings, overseeing staff movements and allocations, and flagging any issues to the Area Manager and Support Services team.
• Team management and capacity building: Line manage Sector Managers/TLs and Partnership Team Leader, including recruitment, induction, daily management, and performance management in line with DRC processes. Oversee staff allocations, team plans, and workloads in alignment with project workplans and deliverables. Focus on capacity building and the promotion of nationalization by identifying gaps, preparing national staff for managerial roles, and providing technical support to achieve project objectives, while extending capacity-building efforts to non-reporting teams to ensure consistent application of PCM practices.
• Internal coordination and collaboration: As a member of the Area Senior Management Team (SMT), ensure the effective implementation of decisions, fostering a deep understanding of DRC’s mandate, processes, and tools within the team to align with organizational goals. Lead the roll-out and mentoring of PCM tools and phases to Sector Managers. Promote strong communication and coordination across all sectors and ensure constructive collaboration between staff at the area and country office levels, addressing issues as needed. Participate in internal coordination meetings and build the capacity of Sector Managers/TLs to engage meaningfully in these forums.
• External coordination: Ensure the Area maintains an updated mapping of DRC’s partners and humanitarian and state actors’ activities, supporting coordination initiatives and area-based models. Assist Sector Managers in engaging with these actors to identify collaboration opportunities and advocacy needs while consolidating inputs for the Advocacy Coordinators. Represent DRC in area coordination forums to enhance the organization’s reputation and opportunities, sharing key advocacy points and action items with relevant colleagues. Promote a coordinated humanitarian response across sectors and geographies, facilitating information sharing and referrals with other actors.

About you:

To be successful in this role we expect you to have experience overseeing large-scale multisectoral programming and people management, along with a strong understanding of Project Cycle Management tools and standards throughout all phases, ensuring timely, high-quality project delivery. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, convey complex information clearly, and maintain effective relationships. Moreover, we expect the following:

Required: 

• At least 3 years' experience in a project/ programme or base/ area management role (preferably in the sectors of Humanitarian response / Livelihoods / Economic Recovery and/or Protection)
• At least 2 years' experience with people management. Experience in identifying capacity gaps and providing mentoring, training, and support to ensure effective performance and professional development.
• Expertise in one or more sectors such as protection, livelihoods, shelter, or education, with the ability to lead sectoral assessments, design, and implementation strategies in complex operational environments.
• Strong analytical skills to identify issues quickly, develop solutions, and implement corrective actions in dynamic and challenging environments.
• Demonstrates a high capacity to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines without compromising quality, maintaining focus and professionalism in challenging and fast-paced environments.
• Full professional proficiency in English. 

Desirable:

• Skilled in coordinating with various actors, managing relationships with partners, donors, and local stakeholders, and representing the organization in relevant coordination forums to advocate for the organization’s priorities.
• Professional proficiency in Ukrainian is an asset for the position. 

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: 1 year contract after successful comepletion of 3  months probation period, with the possibility of extension based on funding and satisfactory performance
• Band: F.2 - managerial
• Duty station: Mykolaiv
• Start date: July 2025

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national and international employees; please refer to our website. 

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: 30th April 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.