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 DRC employs over 800 staff in Ukraine and implements 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 highly-qualified Programme Officer (Partnership Officer) to join our team in Dnipro.
The employee will report to: Area Programme Manager.
About the job
Under the direct supervision of the Area Programme Manager, and in line with DRC’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and partnership principles, the Programme Officer (Partnership Officer) will support the full project cycle with implementing partners - from civil society organisation (CSO) mapping, capacity assessment and due diligence to project initiation, implementation monitoring and closure.
The role involves close cooperation with partner organisations, DRC programme, technical and support teams, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders. The postholder will help ensure effective coordination, compliance with applicable procedures, quality programme documentation and timely fulfilment of partner commitments.
Your main responsibilities will be:
CSO mapping and assessment:
- Support the mapping of civil society organisations (CSOs) and maintain an up-to-date database of potential and existing partners.
- Conduct Red Lines Assessments through interviews and desk reviews.
- Categorise CSOs in accordance with established criteria.
- Collect and analyse information on potential partners and their operating context to inform programme planning.
Partner risk assessment and due diligence:
- Coordinate the vetting of potential partners in close cooperation with relevant DRC departments.
- Organise and conduct partner due diligence in accordance with DRC procedures.
- Collect, review and analyse the required documentation, identify gaps and ensure timely follow-up on agreed corrective actions.
Partnership project preparation and initiation:
- Prepare Sub-Grant Agreement (SGA) packages, including the main agreement and relevant annexes.
- Ensure that partner focal points are briefed on the key terms of the SGA and its annexes before signature.
- Support partners in developing Partner Implementation Plans (PIPs) and related implementation tools, in coordination with programme, technical, MEAL, Finance and Supply Chain teams.
- Prepare partner narrative reporting templates and define Means of Verification (MoV) requirements.
- Coordinate external Kick-Off Meetings, partner induction and the identification of partner capacity-strengthening needs.
Partner project implementation and monitoring:
- Act as the primary day-to-day contact for assigned partner organisations, maintain regular communication and facilitate the resolution of operational issues.
- Coordinate the work of the Partner Project Working Group (PPWG) during project implementation.
- Organise and actively participate in Project Management Meetings in accordance with the applicable partner tier.
- Coordinate the review and approval of partners’ narrative and financial reports, as well as supporting documentation, in cooperation with MEAL, Finance and programme/technical teams.
- Follow up with the Finance team on the timely disbursement of grant tranches to partners.
- Identify potential risks and implementation challenges, inform relevant managers and specialists, and contribute to the development of mitigation measures.
- Maintain monitoring tools, ensure data accuracy and keep partner documentation properly organised and up to date.
- Contribute to documenting and sharing good practices and lessons learned.
Partner project closure:
- Support partners throughout the project closure process, in coordination with relevant PPWG members.
- Organise and coordinate project close-out meetings with partners.
- Ensure that final reports are reviewed by the relevant teams and that supporting documentation is properly stored.
- Support partners in updating final versions of Project Implementation Plans and other implementation tools.
- Provide the information required for internal project close-out meetings and DRC reporting.
Coordination and stakeholder engagement:
- Support effective coordination between partner organisations and DRC programme, technical and support teams.
- Contribute to external coordination with relevant stakeholders, government authorities and local self-government bodies.
- In coordination with the Area/Base Manager and Area Programme Manager, organise and participate in meetings with key government institutions at oblast and sub-oblast levels.
- Coordinate the preparation and signing of general and activity-based Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and other agreements with relevant authorities, in line with DRC standards.
- Develop and maintain constructive relationships with civil society organisations, partner structures and government institutions in accordance with DRC partnership principles.
- Serve as a communication focal point for local authorities, prepare official correspondence and maintain an up-to-date database of government contacts.
About you
To be successful in this role we expect you to have relevant experience working with civil society or partner organisations at least 2 years and good understanding of the key stages of the project cycle, and the ability to effectively coordinate engagement between different teams and organisations.. Moreover, we also expect the following:
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, social sciences, finance, international development, administration, languages, translation or another relevant field.
- English language proficiency at B1 level or above.
- Experience engaging with local civil society organisations and/or implementing partner organisations.
- Understanding of the key stages of the project cycle and partner project management processes.
- Strong writing, editing and reviewing skills for reports, project proposals and partner documentation.
- Ability to coordinate with multiple teams simultaneously, follow up on deadlines and maintain accurate and up-to-date records and tracking tools.
- Fluency in Ukrainian.
- Confident user of Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.
Desirable
- Experience conducting partner risk assessments or due diligence.
- Understanding of grant documentation, Sub-Grant Agreement administration and project implementation monitoring.
- Experience working with international humanitarian organisations and international donors.
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:
- Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
- Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
- Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
We offer
- Contract length: 3-month probationary period, with the possibility of contract extension subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.
- Band: Н - non-management.
- Designation of Duty Station: Dnipro.
- Start date: December, 2026.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national contract; starting from EUR 2025 gross per month (depending on experience and qualifications).
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: 23th Noveber 2026.
