Area 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 in Ukraine and will continue to implement humanitarian 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 Eastern Ukraine.About the job:As the Area Manager, you will lead DRC’s operations in Kharkiv and Donetsk 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 DRC’s lead representative in the area, you will provide 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 DRC’s 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 to support effective collaboration, coordination and referrals. * Identify and communicate advocacy needs to the Advocacy Coordinator to ensure they are addressed. * Country Office’s 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 DRC’s global and country programme strategy, Project Cycle Management standards, processes, and tools. * Conduct field visits as an independent eye to monitor for quality, efficiency and effectiveness of DRC`s activities and help overcome challenges as needed. * Conduct regular spot checks of the tools used and updates at area level to ensure accuracy and that quality standards are met.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 Extended Senior Management Team (SMT), ensure the effective implementation and roll-out of SMT decisions across the area. Foster a deep understanding of DRC’s 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.