Shelter and Settlement Assistant

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 significant scale-up in 2024 to implement 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 Assistant to be based in Sumy with frequent field travels within Sumy oblasts.

This position will report to the Shelter & Settlement Team Leader.

Main responsibilities:

Community liaison and accountability 

• In collaboration with other team members, consult with residents and local authorities before carrying out improvements to buildings and facilities. 
• Preparation of letters of inquiry/response (or any correspondence) to State Authorities, Local Government bodies/representatives and other NGOs.

Key areas of protection 

• Focus on accessibility and special needs of vulnerable populations.

 Program and operational activities 

• Ensure effective and efficient implementation of the program in accordance with the budget and work plan. 
• To provide comprehensive support and contribute to all activities related to the implementation of housing reconstruction projects.
• Communication with beneficiaries - make preliminary arrangements for any meetings with them for evaluation, execution of works, signing of any documents provided for by the program. Provide beneficiaries with all necessary information on the activities of the DRB, conduct explanatory work on the procedure and scope of work, receive feedback and report on the status of the project to the engineer and the head of the department, and respond to complaints and feedback through the complaint and feedback mechanism.
• Participate in the expert assessment of damage (photo fixation). Register beneficiaries, request and submit copies of all necessary documents by filling in the database (KOBO tool).
• Process, supplement, analyze and upload the data entered into database for further generation of various types of reports at the request of the team leader.
• Preparation and signing of consent to the processing of personal data, conclusion of contracts with beneficiaries.
• Visiting HHs with engineer for the final check of the work performed and volumes. Take part in the preparation of Acts of completed works and their signing with the beneficiaries. Monitoring the performance of work, collecting feedback from the beneficiaries.

Coordination and representation 

• Represent the Shelter Team at any coordination meetings at various levels.

Safety and Logistics

• Adhere to the approved office work schedule and the rules of the Code of Conduct organization.
• Follow safety rules at the facilities.
• Participate in planning site visits.

Required experience and competencies:

• University degree: higher degree.
• Work experience: 2+ years professional experience.
• Languages: fluency in the Ukrainian language, a sufficient level of English is preferred.
• Computer literacy: confident user in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Familiarity with social work is preferred. Comfortable in speaking about sensitive topics and working with people in distress.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with vulnerable individuals and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Strong sense of personal integrity and understanding of confidentiality and ethics.
• Personal discipline, punctuality, responsibility in decision-making, honesty, sociability.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer:

• Contract length: 12 months, with a 3-month probation period. Renewable depending on performance and funding.
• Start date: As soon as possible.
• Closing date for applications: 27.10.2024.
• Medical and Health Insurance.

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

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.
• Applications are open until 27.10.2024*

*We reserve the right to conduct further interviews before the deadline for submission of applications.