Shelter and Settlement Officer

About the Position

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 employing over 800 staff in Ukraine and implementing emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, Shelter/NFIs, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors.

DRC is currently looking for a highly qualified Shelter and Settlement Officer to join our team in Dnipro.

About the Job

As part of DRC’s Shelter and Settlements response, the Shelter and Settlement Officer will support the technical implementation of repair and insulation activities for substandard houses. The role ensures that DRC teams receive appropriate technical guidance and that projects have continuous technical oversight throughout the project cycle.

The Officer will serve as the key technical focal point for communication with beneficiaries and contractors and will travel extensively to Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia oblasts to oversee field implementation of repair and insulation interventions.

Responsibilities

Technical Oversight and Implementation

• Oversee and regularly evaluate construction and maintenance of facilities and infrastructure.
• Identify infrastructure needs with a focus on accessibility and inclusion of vulnerable groups, including persons with reduced mobility.
• Implement due diligence processes for housing, land, and property (HLP) prior to construction or repair activities.
• Provide technical inputs to housing recovery and energy-efficiency activities to ensure quality and compliance with DRC and national standards.
• Ensure timely and efficient implementation of the program in line with approved budgets and work plans.

Community Engagement and Protection Mainstreaming

• Consult with residents and local authorities prior to facility improvements to ensure transparency and participation.
• Engage community members in repair and maintenance activities with due consideration for the needs of vulnerable groups.
• Address community feedback and complaints related to construction, protection, and facility management.
• Integrate gender, protection, and accountability principles into all shelter and infrastructure activities.
• Promote adherence to DRC’s policies on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).

Coordination and Representation

• Collaborate with relevant internal and external technical experts to ensure alignment with sector standards and best practices.
• Represent DRC at Shelter Cluster and other technical coordination meetings.
• Ensure strong collaboration and integration with other DRC sectors, including Protection, Economic Recovery, and Logistics.
• Maintain coordination with local authorities to ensure inclusive planning and implementation.

Program Management and Operations

• Monitor financial commitments and expenditures against project budgets, providing timely feedback on budget performance.
• Support preparation of technical reports, documentation, and updates for management and donors.
• Proactively plan logistics and staff movements to and from operational areas.
• Initiate procurement requests and ensure timely execution in coordination with the Supply Chain department.

Partnership

• Act as the Shelter programme focal point for assigned partners, ensuring that partner activities are aligned with project objectives, indicators, and technical standards. Support partner identification and onboarding.
• Monitor partner implementation against agreed indicators, targets, and workplans; identify delays or deviations and support partners in adjusting activities to ensure delivery in line with project objectives.
• Review and verify partner narrative reports, ensuring that all reported activities, outputs, and results align with agreed indicators, targets, and workplans.

Requirements

Required

• University degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related technical field.
• At least 5 years of experience in construction, housing repair, or energy-efficiency projects.
• Experience coordinating with contractors, local authorities, and communities.
• Familiarity with Ukrainian construction norms, building codes, and technical documentation.
• Strong understanding of protection mainstreaming and inclusion principles in humanitarian programming.
• Excellent organizational, coordination, and communication skills.
• Willingness to travel frequently to field locations in Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

Desirable

• Previous experience with international NGOs or donor-funded projects.
• Knowledge of energy-efficient construction methods and insulation materials.
• Fluency in Ukrainian and working knowledge of English.

We Offer

• Contract length: 6-months, including a 3-month probation period, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
• Band: H - non-managerial
• Designation of Duty Station: Dnipro
• Start date: July 2026

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

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: June 21, 2026

We encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible, interviews might 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.

About the Company

Founded in 1956, Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is Denmark’s largest, and a leading international NGO. We have continuously been ranked as one of the best NGOs in the world and are one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In over 30 countries, we protect, advocate, and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.

By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of over 6,000 employees. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s, and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote 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. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants based on individual merit and qualifications, regardless of personal characteristics or attributes. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce, aiming for a 50% balance of men and women in management roles and ensuring that at least 50% of management roles are filled by national staff. We recognize that a diverse and inclusive team is crucial for achieving our organizational goals and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.