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 Team Leader in Kharkiv.
About the job
Shelter and Settlement Team Leader will manage 8 staff and ensure the effective and efficient implementation of the programme, including technical support and coordination of rehabilitation activities. He/she will be responsible for managing and leading the housing rehabilitation team, providing technical support and guidance on all issues raised by the team. He/she will ensure the quality of planning, implementation and control of all technical aspects of the sector's activities
This position is open for Ukrainian nationals only; international applicants will not be considered.
Your main responsibilities
Supervise members of the Shelter team:
- Deliver technical support and guidance to team.
- Ensure the quality of the planning, implementation and follow up of all technical aspects of the sectoractivities being implemented by DRC.
- Develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern, relevant stakeholders and otherhumanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of DRC’s sectoractivities.
Management:
- Lead and manage the team (including people planning, performance, well-being and development).
- Ensure effective planning and quality implementation of the sector/support activities civi.
- Follow and ensure the quality of the team’s daily activities and timely execution of all fieldwork aswell as field teams.
- Examine various local construction materials/methods and determine the best to be used.
- Develop and initiate new ideas to maximize assistance to beneficiaries, liaise with localGovernmental bodies in charge of housing and infrastructure activities in the area of operation.
Programming and Operations:
- Ensure efficient and effective program implementation while following the budget and work plan.
- Provide technical support and inputs on all shelter activities.
- Liaise with selected construction companies to coordinate the rehabilitation activities and ensuringthat DRC quality standards are met.
Collaborate with relevant internal and external technical experts on sector relevant issues.
- Represent DRC at meetings and other relevant technical coordination meetings.
- Ensure integration with other DRC sectors.
Project development:
- Develop project tools, plans, and budgets for funding.
- Project implementation, reporting and evaluation.
Logistics/Finance:
- Support the monitoring of financial commitments and expenditures against budgets and providetimely feedback on budget follow-up.
- Ensure that all the assistance related documentation is prepared in compliance with the Ukrainianlegislation and DRC requirements
- Plan and coordinate proactively logistics and movements of staff from and to different operationalareas.
- Initiating purchases and ensuring their fulfillment.
As Team Leader the post-holder is responsible for the following:
- Accountable for people management of employees, usually working in the same area of work.
- Accountable for ensuring that agreed work plans and tasks set by the next-level up Manager areimplemented on time.
- Hiring and termination of employees and conducting performance appraisals (closely overseen bythe next-level manager).
About you
To be successful in this role we expect you to have 2 years of management experience and 3 years of professional experience as an engineer in charge of construction projects or similar
Moreover, we also expect the following:
Required:
- Minimum 2 years of management experience at a mid to senior level, preferably with experience inthe field of humanitarian response for an international NGO, UN agency, relevant ministry, or localauthority.
- Minimum of 3 years of professional experience, as an engineer in charge of construction projects or similar.
- Professional proficiency in English (at least B2 Level) and Ukrainian lenguage - Level Fluent (C1).
- Computer literacy: Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Skills in GIS software and AutoCAD are an asset.
- Higher education, Master's degree in construction and architecture, civil engineering or a related field.
We offer:
- Contract: Three-month probationary period, extendable pending available funding.
- Designation of Duty Station: Kharkiv
- Start date: January, 2026
- Salary: Band G m
- Medical and Health Insurance.
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 and CV:
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: 24th December 2025.
We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible, interviews might be conducted on a rollingbasis. DRC reserves the right to select candidate before the vacancy close date.
For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.
Working at DRC
Help applying
DRC as an employer
Founded in 1956, DRC Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world - and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 30 countries, we protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of over 6,000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:
- Professionalism, impact & expertise
- Humanitarian approach & the work we do
- Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
- Culture, values & strong leadership
- Fair compensation & continuous development
DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.
Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.