Shelter & Settlements Officer (Partnership 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, 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 Shelter & Settlements Officer (Partnership Officer) in Kharkiv.

Responsibilities

Partnership Management and Coordination

• Support the identification, assessment, and selection of local partners (NGOs, local authorities, and private sector actors).
• Facilitate engagement of new partners, including due diligence and capacity assessments.
• Act as the primary focal point for assigned partners at the regional level.
• Ensure regular communication, coordination, and follow-up with partners.
• Support the development, review, and monitoring of partnership agreements (sub-grants, MoUs, etc.).

Programme Implementation and Operational Support

• Support partners in the implementation of Shelter & Settlements activities (emergency shelter, light and medium housing repairs, rehabilitation of social infrastructure).
• Ensure activities are implemented in line with approved project proposals, workplans, and budgets.
• Monitor implementation progress against agreed indicators and targets.
• Support partners in addressing operational challenges and adapting implementation approaches when required.
• Provide technical support in procurement planning and processes.
• Ensure procurement compliance with donor regulations and organizational standards.
• Coordinate with Logistics and Finance teams as required.

Technical Oversight and Quality Assurance

• Ensure partner compliance with: Shelter Cluster guidelines; organizational technical standards; national building codes and regulations.
• Liaise with Shelter technical teams to: review Bills of Quantities (BoQs), technical designs, and methodologies; validate technical approaches and ensure quality standards.
• Conduct field visits and participate in technical monitoring and quality control of works.

Partner Capacity Strengthening

• Identify capacity gaps of partners (technical, operational, compliance).
• Develop and implement capacity strengthening plans.
• Provide on-the-job support and mentoring to partners.
• Promote equitable partnership approaches and strengthen local ownership in programme delivery.

MEAL, Compliance, and Reporting

• Ensure partners use MEAL systems and tools (KoboToolbox, Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM), Complaint and Feedback Mechanisms (CFM), etc.).
• Support partners in data collection, reporting, and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, organizational SOPs, and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) principles.
• Contribute to internal and donor reporting processes.

Requirements

Required

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction, or a related field (or equivalent humanitarian/recovery programming experience with a strong technical background in shelter).
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of relevant experience, including: partnership management or working with local NGOs in the humanitarian sector; implementation of shelter/housing recovery programmes (repairs, reconstruction, or infrastructure rehabilitation); Minimum 2 years of experience working with an international NGO is required.
• Languages: Full professional proficiency in Ukrainian. Professional proficiency in English (B2).
• Technical Skills:
  • Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Understanding of Shelter & Settlements approaches (ESK, ECM, Light & Medium Repairs), construction processes, and cost estimation.
  • Knowledge of procurement processes and MEAL systems.
  • Strong command of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), KoboToolbox, and Outlook.

Desirable

• Experience with GIS software and AutoCAD is an asset.
• Experience with donor-funded projects (e.g., ECHO, UHF) is an advantage.

We Offer

• Contract length: 3-month probation period, with the possibility of extension based on performance and available funding.
• Band: H (non-management).
• Designation of Duty Station: Kharkiv.
• Start date: July 2026.

This position is open to national applicants. Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment; please refer to www.drc.ngo under Vacancies.

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: 14 June 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.