Head of Support Services (Interim)
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a prominent protection agency established with the mission to protect, advocate for, and promote durable solutions for populations affected by displacement. Since its inception, DRC has been dedicated to addressing the needs of displaced individuals and communities. The organization has been operational in Ukraine since 2014, employing over 800 staff members who work across various sectors including emergency response, protection, livelihoods, shelter/NFIs, and humanitarian disarmament and peacebuilding. DRC's approach involves direct interventions, support to duty bearers, and partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs). The organization is committed to adapting its durable solutions portfolio to meet the evolving context of the humanitarian landscape in Ukraine.
Job Overview:
The Head of Support Services is a critical leadership role within DRC Ukraine, responsible for providing strategic oversight and leadership across all support functions, including Finance, Supply Chain & Logistics, Human Resources, IT, and Administration. This interim position is designed to cover the absence of the current position holder for a duration of six months. The successful candidate will ensure that support services are aligned with program delivery, enabling efficient and compliant operations in a complex and high-risk environment. The role requires a proactive approach to operational support, ensuring that DRC's assets, staff, and donor resources are safeguarded in accordance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and national legislation. The Head of Support Services will also play a vital role in strategic planning, risk management, and compliance, ensuring that all operational functions are effectively managed and continuously improved to meet the needs of the organization and its beneficiaries.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Head of Support Services will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: serving as a core member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and contributing to strategic prioritization and decision-making; providing leadership and line management to support function managers; ensuring the delivery, monitoring, and reporting of support services in alignment with program priorities; building and maintaining high-performing support teams; leading the strategic development and continuous improvement of support operations; overseeing compliance with DRC policies and donor requirements; managing operational capacity for emergency response; developing and implementing risk management plans; ensuring accurate and up-to-date administrative and compliance systems; and contributing to the development of DRC global initiatives. The role also involves maintaining oversight of project budgets and expenditures, ensuring alignment with donor compliance requirements, and leading engagement with donors and auditors regarding compliance and audits.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Head of Support Services position must possess a range of qualifications, including proven operational management experience in finance, supply chain, human resources, or information management within conflict settings. A university degree in economics, business management, international development, or a related field is required. Additionally, candidates should have experience in a similar role within an international NGO, demonstrating strong leadership skills and competence in people management. Understanding of institutional fundraising and sensitivity to cultural dynamics is essential, along with experience working with ERP systems related to supply chain, finance, and HR. Candidates should also have a track record of capacity building for national colleagues and partners, and full proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in relevant fields such as economics, business management, international development, or similar disciplines. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of operational management within the context of humanitarian work and ensuring effective leadership in support services.
Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant experience, with a minimum of three years in a people management role. This experience should encompass operational management in conflict settings, demonstrating the ability to lead teams effectively and manage complex support functions.
Languages:
Full proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this role. Knowledge of the Ukrainian language is considered an asset, enhancing communication and engagement within the local context.
Additional Notes:
This position is offered as a six-month interim contract to cover the absence of the current position holder. The designated duty station is Kyiv, classified as a non-family duty station. The start date for this role is as soon as possible. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for both national and expatriate employees. Applicants are required to submit a cover letter and an updated CV in English, with a maximum length of four pages. Applications sent via email will not be considered. The closing date for applications is October 5th, 2026, and candidates are encouraged to apply promptly as interviews may be conducted on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to select a candidate before the vacancy closes if a suitable candidate is identified.
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a prominent protection agency established with the mission to protect, advocate for, and promote durable solutions for populations affected by displacement. Since its inception, DRC has been dedicated to addressing the needs of displaced individuals and communities. The organization has been operational in Ukraine since 2014, employing over 800 staff members who work across various sectors including emergency response, protection, livelihoods, shelter/NFIs, and humanitarian disarmament and peacebuilding. DRC's approach involves direct interventions, support to duty bearers, and partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs). The organization is committed to adapting its durable solutions portfolio to meet the evolving context of the humanitarian landscape in Ukraine.
Job Overview:
The Head of Support Services is a critical leadership role within DRC Ukraine, responsible for providing strategic oversight and leadership across all support functions, including Finance, Supply Chain & Logistics, Human Resources, IT, and Administration. This interim position is designed to cover the absence of the current position holder for a duration of six months. The successful candidate will ensure that support services are aligned with program delivery, enabling efficient and compliant operations in a complex and high-risk environment. The role requires a proactive approach to operational support, ensuring that DRC's assets, staff, and donor resources are safeguarded in accordance with organizational policies, donor requirements, and national legislation. The Head of Support Services will also play a vital role in strategic planning, risk management, and compliance, ensuring that all operational functions are effectively managed and continuously improved to meet the needs of the organization and its beneficiaries.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Head of Support Services will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: serving as a core member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) and contributing to strategic prioritization and decision-making; providing leadership and line management to support function managers; ensuring the delivery, monitoring, and reporting of support services in alignment with program priorities; building and maintaining high-performing support teams; leading the strategic development and continuous improvement of support operations; overseeing compliance with DRC policies and donor requirements; managing operational capacity for emergency response; developing and implementing risk management plans; ensuring accurate and up-to-date administrative and compliance systems; and contributing to the development of DRC global initiatives. The role also involves maintaining oversight of project budgets and expenditures, ensuring alignment with donor compliance requirements, and leading engagement with donors and auditors regarding compliance and audits.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Head of Support Services position must possess a range of qualifications, including proven operational management experience in finance, supply chain, human resources, or information management within conflict settings. A university degree in economics, business management, international development, or a related field is required. Additionally, candidates should have experience in a similar role within an international NGO, demonstrating strong leadership skills and competence in people management. Understanding of institutional fundraising and sensitivity to cultural dynamics is essential, along with experience working with ERP systems related to supply chain, finance, and HR. Candidates should also have a track record of capacity building for national colleagues and partners, and full proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in relevant fields such as economics, business management, international development, or similar disciplines. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of operational management within the context of humanitarian work and ensuring effective leadership in support services.
Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant experience, with a minimum of three years in a people management role. This experience should encompass operational management in conflict settings, demonstrating the ability to lead teams effectively and manage complex support functions.
Languages:
Full proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this role. Knowledge of the Ukrainian language is considered an asset, enhancing communication and engagement within the local context.
Additional Notes:
This position is offered as a six-month interim contract to cover the absence of the current position holder. The designated duty station is Kyiv, classified as a non-family duty station. The start date for this role is as soon as possible. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for both national and expatriate employees. Applicants are required to submit a cover letter and an updated CV in English, with a maximum length of four pages. Applications sent via email will not be considered. The closing date for applications is October 5th, 2026, and candidates are encouraged to apply promptly as interviews may be conducted on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to select a candidate before the vacancy closes if a suitable candidate is identified.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.