Area Programme Manager (ABA Consortium)

Programme & Policy

Overview

Oversee the implementation of the ABA Consortium programme in Mykolaiv.

You have:

• At least 3 years of experience in managing programs in emergency and early recovery contexts
• At least 3 years of experience in team management position
• Demonstrated experience managing Grants, MEAL and Programme/Sector departments
• Strong understanding of area-based or integrated programming, ideally in conflict-affected contexts
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and representation skills
• Previous experience including hands on support to local partners through capacity development/mentoring
• Previous experience leading Protection, Shelter and/or cash-based programming
• Demonstrated experience with donor compliance, particularly ECHO, USAID or UN-led funding
• Experience working with or coordinating Ukrainian civil society or local actors

Contract

This is a DRC - Expatriate or National contract. More about DRC - Expatriate or National contracts.

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 Area Programme Manager (ABA Consortium) to join our team in Mykolaiv.

About the job

The Area-Based Allocation (ABA) Consortium is designed to support local actors in Ukraine by facilitating access to quality funding and enabling them to scale up their programming without being burdened by excessive bureaucracy. The Consortium operates as a fund mechanism, incorporating a due diligence process, calls for proposals, fund disbursement, and tailored support throughout project implementation.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Party, and in close coordination with Consortium partners and DRC colleagues, the Area Programme Manager (APM) (ABA Consortium) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the programme. This includes both managerial and technical leadership in the delivery of activities, disbursement of grants to civil society organizations (CSOs), provision of technical assistance, reporting, and oversight of monitoring and evaluation processes.

Your main responsibilities will be:

Grant Management and Compliance

• Support the Chief of Party developing the operations procedures for the fund management, vetting process, due diligence, tiers classification and allocation process.
• Ensure vetting and due diligence are implemented in a timely manner and the results inform the capacity building plans.
• Participate in the operational review of the proposals submitted by the CSOs.
• Ensure Sub Grants Agreements packages are prepared in a timely manner following the approval of the proposals.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, including narrative reporting, indicator tracking.

Project implementation oversight

• Ensure that Project Cycle Management (PCM) tools and processes are in place such as kick of meetings, workplans, budget follow up, procurement plans.
• Ensure that key procurements to be performed by DRC are initiated on time to ensure timely delivery to the Partners
• Ensure capacity assessments and capacity strengthening plans are in place within the Program team. Liaise closely with the Support Services Fund Managers to ensure that similar plans are in place for Finance, Supply Chain, HR.
• Ensure technical monitoring and regular follow up meetings happen with CSOs to monitor progress (targets timeline, expenditure) and address challenges.

People man****agement

• Line manages the Program team of the ABA Consortium, including MEAL, Grants and Technical specialists (Shelter and Protection) including recruitment, performance management and oversignt in close coordination with technical supervisors

Representation & External Coordination

• Coordinate with the other consortium members to ensure alignment of practices and processes
• Ensure fluid, open communication between partners at all levels (technical, operational, strategic) and support resolution of disagreements or misalignments in implementation or planning.

About you:

To be successful in this role we expect you to be a strong and strategic leader with a solid background in programme oversight, and stakeholder engagement, ideally in complex humanitarian or early recovery contexts; a proven ability to manage diverse teams, foster collaboration among partners, and ensure compliance with donor requirements. We expect you to bring a deep commitment to locally led responses and have demonstrated experience in supporting and strengthening the capacity of local actors — through mentoring, technical support, or tailored accompaniment — to enable sustainable and impactful programming.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required:

• At least 3 years of experience in managing programs in emergency and early recovery contexts
• At least 3 years of experience in team management position.
• Demonstrated experience managing Grants, MEAL and Programme/Sector departments
• Strong understanding of area-based or integrated programming, ideally in conflict-affected contexts.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and representation skills.

Desirable:

• Previous experience including hands on support to local partners through capacity development/ mentoring
• Previous experience leading Protection, Shelter and/or cash based programming
• Demonstrated experience with donor compliance, particularly ECHO, USAID or UN-led funding.
• Experience working with or coordinating Ukrainian civil society or local actors

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: 12 months with the possibility of extension depending on performance and funding
• Band: F2 – Managerial
• Designation of Duty Station: Mykolaiv, non-family duty station
• Start date: September/October

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national and interantional contracts; please refer to our website for more details.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English.

A****pplications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: August 20th, 2025

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and DRC reserves the right to proceed with the recruitment before the deadline if a suitable candidate is identified.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 10 months ago - Updated 9 months ago - Source: drc.ngo