Programme Specialist (Partnership)

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 highly qualified Programme Specialist (Partnership) to join our team in Kyiv. Travel throughout Ukraine is expected as part of the role.

About the job

DRC is in the process of expanding and developing its capacity development support to partners and is seeking a Partnerships Specialist to support the coordination and facilitation of capacity development in close coordination with DRC sectoral and support staff and partners. The Partnership Specialist supports the capacity development of DRC Partners, in line with the guidelines in DRC`s Partnership Manual and SoPs. He/ she plays an important role in ensuring high quality capacity development support to partners via supporting capacity assessments, preparing capacity development plans, coordinating of capacity development between different DRC Units, and ensuring support is aligned to partners needs and objectives. The Partnership Specialist will also organize and deliver non-technical trainings.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Maintain the awareness of DRC’s commitment in terms of capacity development

• Read project proposals, annexes and budgets to identify and track available budget and commitments to donors in terms of capacity development. Update and maintain internal dashboards to track commitments. Communicate with the Partnership Manager and the localization and Partnership Coordinator regarding these commitments. Based on lessons learned, advise the Localization and Partnership Coordinator and the Partnership Manager during the design of new projects in Partnership, in terms of capacity development activities and budgets for Partners identified.

Map, develop and design capacity development modalities

• In coordination with the head of departments, ensure up to date overviews of DRC`s in-house capacity development interventions (trainings, coaching, technical advice, etc.)
• Support technical capacity development focal points across departments to design toolboxes for capacity development interventions
• Be the primary focal point to receive “training of trainers” and become a trainer for “non-technical in-house training”.
• Identify and maintain an up-to-date overview of capacity development interventions available externally
• As needed, support the Localization and Partnership Coordinator and Partnerships Manager in capacity development focal points to develop tools and approaches to capacity development.

Identify CSO and Partners’ needs in terms of capacity development

• Maintain an overview of partners eligible for capacity development support within DRC Portfolio
• Ensure a strong understanding of partners` organizational and capacity development objectives and priorities across multiple topics. Communicate this to relevant focal points across DRC and ensure partners objectives are prioritized throughout the capacity development support provided.
• Support capacity development focal points across departments to design methodologies and tools to assess the needs and interest of partners for capacity development.
• Coordinate the capacity assessments for partners to ensure clear communication across all capacity development focal points in DRC and that the scope and timeframes of the assessments are in line with relevant capacity development objectives.

Organisational/Capacities development planning, implementation and monitoring

• Based on capacity assessments and partner objectives, and in close coordination with relevant colleagues and partners, prepare capacity development plans.
• Ensure the needs identified via capacity assessments are formulated as objectives for the development process and will allow measurement of the improvement at mid and final stage (post development).
• Maintain oversight and closely follow up on the progress and implementation of capacity development plans and ensure challenges and necessary changes are identified and addressed via PPWGs.
• Support the organization and implementation of training delivered by capacity development focal points and service providers.
• Organize and roll out non-technical trainings and capacity development interventions as assigned.
• Support and coordinate the roll out of other capacity development modalities in coordination with DRC colleagues and service providers
• Organize appropriate monitoring and evaluation activities to assess the development of Partners as per the agreed plan signed with the Partner.
• Participate in partnership coordination forums at DRC (PPWG, partner meetings, partnership reviews) and facilitate and/or give input during agenda points related to capacity development.

Accountability and Reporting

• Identify, synthesise, and disseminate best practices and lessons learned in partnership-building.
• Support the reporting and proposal development processes for topics related to organisational/ capacities development.

About You

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 3 years of experience within initiative or programmes focusing the sectors of capacity development, good governance and/or policy analysis - preferably within a national or International NGO, the UN or Government agencies.

Moreover, we also expect the following:                                                                

• Extensive knowledge and experience in capacity exchange concepts and practices in Ukraine.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of CSO/CBO work and their organization trends in Ukraine.
• A demonstrated high-level facilitation expertise – well versed in delivering trainings and/or presentations on the capacity development domain.
• Strong coordination and communication skills in a multi-cultural context.
• A high-level of adaptability and flexibility.
• Full professional proficiency in English.
• Fluency in Ukrainian.
• Master’s degree (e.g., political science, international development, economics) or equivalent professional qualification.

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: One-year contract after successful completion of three months’ probation period.
• Band: G-nm.
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv with 30% travel across the country.
• Start date: 15th December, 2024.

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

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: 27th November, 2024.

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.