Junior project specialist on the economic development of rural and urban areas in Danish Refugee Council / Danska Rada u spravah bizhenciv v Ukrayini

Danish Refugee Council (RCC) is an international non-governmental organization that promotes and supports long-term solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide.

DRB is currently looking for a Junior Rural and Urban Development Project Specialist in Kharkiv.

About this position

The Junior Rural and Urban Development Project Specialist is guided by the job description and standard operating procedures. (hereinafter - SOP) and current legal acts of the Representation of the Danish Council for Refugees in Ukraine (hereinafter - DRB).

Under the leadership of the head of the project group on economic rural and urban areas, the junior specialist of the project on economic development of rural and urban areas will contribute to the implementation of economic recovery measures in both urban and rural areas. This includes sectoral cash assistance to subsistence and smallholder farmers, support for vocational training, and grants and capacity building assistance for MSMEs and agribusinesses. The work involves close cooperation with communities, CSOs and local authorities in order to identify vulnerable people, carry out service mapping and exchange information about available services. 

The position is based in the DRB office in Kharkiv, and field activities are carried out throughout Kharkiv Oblast and Sloviansk.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Assessment of needs

• Regularly inform the line manager about changes in needs in communities/districts based on field visits.
• As requested, participate in multi-sectoral needs assessments with MEAL and promptly report any issues.

 Design and proposal development

• As requested, provide accurate and up-to-date technical information to support the development of project proposals and ensure compliance with identified needs.

 Project initiation

• Brothers participate in operational meetings to ensure a clear understanding of activities and objectives.
• Participate in informing stakeholders in coordination with relevant industry teams to maintain consistent external communication.

 Project Implementation

• Execute daily activities in accordance with the operational plan, report on work progress, communicate issues and propose solutions.
• Lead the necessary documentation/MoV, ensure data protection and provide timely information for reporting and PMM-BFU meetings.
• Collaborate with MEAL to support the principles of AAP: informing communities, ensuring participation, gathering feedback and ensuring responses.

 Project closure

• Ensure availability and archiving of all MoVs for completed activities and facilitate experience building in accordance with MEAL guidelines.

 Sector knowledge / technical expectations

• Support economic recovery tasks: registration of beneficiaries and distribution of assistance according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
• Communicate with beneficiaries, provide information, gather feedback and support CFM.
• As needed, assist emergency/basic needs teams and perform other tasks assigned by ER leadership

 Internal coordination and collaboration

•  Participate in internal coordination meetings, ensure cross-departmental collaboration and maintain constructive communication.
• Participate in MEAL feedback sessions and, as requested, participate in meetings with partnership staff and implementing partners.

 External coordination

• Coordinate with local authorities during the implementation of activities, report updates to line manager and support mapping of additional services for safe referral.

About the candidate

To be a successful candidate for this position, you must have at least 1 year of work experience in livelihoods, economic recovery, business development, vocational training, employment services or similar economic projects at the community level, preferably in an international non-governmental organization. You should also have a strong interest or experience working with conflict-affected populations and be able to communicate clearly and empathetically with people in distress. Strong organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills as well as integrity, confidentiality and high ethical standards are required. You must be able to build and maintain positive relationships with communities, stakeholders and humanitarian partners to ensure effective implementation, coordination and long-term quality of DRB economic recovery activities.

In addition, we also expect the following:

Necessary requirements:

Desirable:

• Deep understanding of the state of development of the country and the general social context
• Strong sense of personal integrity and understanding of privacy and etics
  

In this position, we expect you to demonstrate the five core competencies of a DRB:

Aspiration to excellence:focus on achieving results while ensuring efficient processes.

Collaboration: engage stakeholders and encourage feedback.

Initiative: take responsibility and initiative, while showing a desire to innovate.

Communication: listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity:upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRB's values and Code of Conduct, including the prevention of sexual exploitation, abusive behavior and harassment.

We offer:

• Duration of the contract: 3-month trial period, after which the extension of the contract is possible depending on funding and quality of work
• Position level: I
• Place of work: Kharkiv
• Start of work: January 2026 r.

Salary and working conditions will correspond to the terms of employment of the national staff of the Danish Refugee Council in Ukraine.

Application process

All candidates must upload a cover letter and an up-to-date resume (no more than four pages) in English.

Applications sent by e-mail will not be considered.

Deadline application deadline: December 14, 2025 DRB reserves the right to select a candidate before the application deadline, if an acceptable candidate is determined earlier