Head of Support Services

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a prominent protection agency established to safeguard, advocate for, and promote sustainable solutions for populations affected by displacement. Since its inception, DRC has been dedicated to addressing the needs of vulnerable communities, particularly in conflict zones. The organization has been operational in Ukraine since 2014, employing over 800 staff members who work across various sectors including Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding. DRC's approach involves direct interventions, support to duty bearers, and collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs). The organization is committed to adapting its durable solutions portfolio to meet the evolving challenges faced by displaced populations in Ukraine, ensuring that its operations remain relevant and effective in a complex and high-risk environment.

Job Overview:
As the Head of Support Services, you will play a crucial role in providing strategic leadership and oversight for all support functions within DRC Ukraine. This includes Finance, Supply Chain & Logistics, Human Resources, IT, and Administration. Your primary objective will be to ensure that all programs are delivered efficiently, compliantly, and at scale, particularly in a challenging operational context. The role is designed to enable support services to facilitate rather than hinder program delivery, ensuring that operational support is timely, high-quality, and risk-aware. You will be responsible for safeguarding DRC’s assets, staff, and donor resources in accordance with DRC policies, donor requirements, and national legislation. This position requires a proactive approach to leadership and management, ensuring that support functions align with the strategic priorities of the organization and contribute to the overall mission of DRC in Ukraine.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Your main responsibilities will encompass a wide range of management and operational tasks. You will serve as a core member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), contributing to strategic prioritization and daily decision-making. Leadership and line management of support function managers will be key, including workforce planning, performance management, staff wellbeing, and professional development. You will ensure the delivery, monitoring, and reporting of support services in alignment with program priorities and operational needs. Building and maintaining high-performing support teams that consistently deliver high-quality, compliant, and efficient services will be essential. You will lead the strategic development and continuous improvement of support operations, systems, and compliance frameworks. Additionally, you will oversee support for annual planning, budgeting, and review processes, ensuring compliance with DRC policies, global guidelines, donor requirements, and national legislation. Your role will also involve providing strategic oversight and technical leadership to all country-level operational support functions, ensuring that DRC maintains and strengthens its operational capacity for rapid emergency response, particularly in procurement, logistics, and finance. You will lead the development and implementation of a country-level risk management plan, identifying key financial, legal, and operational risks and corresponding mitigation measures. Furthermore, you will support the director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Country Director and SMT in engaging with donors, auditors, and authorities on compliance matters, ensuring effective supervision, internal controls, audits, and follow-up on corrective actions related to DRC operational standards.

Required Qualifications:
To be considered for this position, you must possess proven operational management experience in one or more thematic areas relevant to conflict settings, such as finance, supply chain, human resources, and/or information management. A university degree in economics, business management, international development, or other relevant fields is required. You should have experience in a similar role within an international NGO, demonstrating strong leadership skills and competence in people management. An understanding of institutional fundraising and the ability to navigate the complexities of the operational environment in Ukraine is essential. Experience working with an ERP system, including supply chain, finance, and HR systems, is also necessary. Additionally, you should have a track record of capacity building for national colleagues and partners, along with full proficiency in spoken and written English.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in a relevant field such as economics, business management, international development, or similar disciplines. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of operational management and support services within the context of humanitarian work and conflict settings.

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of experience in a relevant field, with a minimum of 3 years in a people management role. This experience should ideally be within the context of international NGOs or similar organizations, where you have demonstrated your ability to lead teams and manage complex operational functions effectively.

Languages:
Full proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this role. Knowledge of the Ukrainian language would be considered an asset, enhancing communication and engagement with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is set until January 2028, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and funding, following a successful 3-month probation period. The position is classified under Band E1 - management, and the designated duty station is Kyiv. The expected start date for this role is May 202

• Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for both national and expatriate employees. All applicants are required to upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English, as applications sent via email will not be considered. The closing date for applications is February 9th, 2026.