Economic Recovery Team Leader (Urban and Rural Livelihoods Team Leader)

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a prominent protection agency established to advocate for and promote durable solutions for populations affected by displacement. Since its inception, DRC has been dedicated to providing assistance and support to those in need, particularly in conflict-affected areas. The organization has been operational in Ukraine since 2014, and it currently employs over 800 staff members in the country. DRC is committed to scaling up its operations in 2024 to enhance its emergency response capabilities across various sectors, including Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding. The organization employs direct interventions, supports duty bearers, collaborates with civil society organizations (CSOs), and adapts its durable solutions portfolio to meet the evolving needs of the communities it serves.

Job Overview:
The Economic Recovery Team Leader (Urban and Rural Livelihoods Team Leader) plays a crucial role in the implementation of economic recovery activities under the guidance of the Economic Recovery Project Manager. This position involves managing a team of Economic Recovery Officers and Assistants, overseeing both urban and rural economic recovery initiatives. The responsibilities include providing sectoral cash assistance to subsistence and small-scale farmers, facilitating vocational training support, and offering grant and capacity-building assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and agri-businesses. The role requires close collaboration with communities, CSOs, and local authorities to identify vulnerable individuals, conduct service mapping, and disseminate information about available services. The position is based in the DRC Kharkiv office, with field activities extending across Kharkiv Oblast and Slovyansk.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Economic Recovery Team Leader will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: conducting needs assessments to monitor changing needs in target areas and reporting findings to the Sector Manager; participating in multi-sectoral assessments, managing assessment teams, and supporting analysis and recommendations; providing accurate inputs for project proposals, including activities, budgets, targets, team composition, and partner relevance; assisting in the preparation of implementation plans and forecasts; planning and supervising daily activities to ensure timely and quality delivery within scope and budget; maintaining documentation and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations; supporting recruitment, induction, and performance management of team members; ensuring that Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) is integrated into all activities; archiving documentation and sharing lessons learned during project closure; ensuring compliance with DRC SOPs and donor requirements across all economic recovery activities; revising SOPs, developing training materials, and adapting methodologies based on lessons learned; building the capacity of partners and overseeing basic needs activities when required; line managing Officers and Assistants, including recruitment and performance management; identifying capacity gaps and providing technical support and training; fostering understanding of DRC processes within the team; participating in internal coordination meetings and supporting referrals between sectors; representing DRC in coordination forums when required; and collaborating with local authorities while maintaining a mapping of complementary services.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agri-business, rural development, economics, business administration, vocational education, or a closely related field. Proven experience in supervising field staff and providing on-the-job coaching is essential. Candidates should be comfortable discussing sensitive topics and working with people in distress, demonstrating a strong understanding of confidentiality and humanitarian ethics, including protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA). Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required, along with a proven ability to engage vulnerable individuals and diverse stakeholders. Strong organizational and time-management skills are necessary, as well as the ability to prioritize and manage multiple activities. High personal integrity and accountability, adherence to the code of conduct, and confidentiality are also critical.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as agriculture, agri-business, rural development, economics, business administration, or vocational education. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage economic recovery initiatives and support vulnerable populations.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 3 years of experience in livelihoods, economic recovery, business development, vocational training, employment services, or similar community economic projects, preferably with an international non-governmental organization (INGO) and ideally in emergency settings. Experience working with conflict-affected populations is highly desirable, as is the ability to communicate clearly and empathetically with individuals in distress.

Languages:
Fluency in Ukrainian is mandatory, along with professional working proficiency in English. These language skills are essential for effective communication with local communities, stakeholders, and humanitarian partners, ensuring that the Economic Recovery Team Leader can engage effectively in both written and verbal communication.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position includes a 3-month probation period, with the possibility of extension as a fixed-term contract based on funding availability and performance. The position is classified under Band G – Management, and the designated duty station is Kharkiv. 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 employees on national contracts, and applicants are encouraged to refer to the organization's website for more details. The application process requires all candidates 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 set for 1 March, 2026, and candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as interviews may be conducted on a rolling basis. DRC reserves the right to select a candidate before the vacancy close date once a suitable candidate has been identified.