Economic Recovery Assistant (Agricultural Support Assistant)

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 will continue significant scale-up in 2024 to implement 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 Economic Recovery Assistant (Agricultural Support Assistant) for its activities in Mykolaiv.

This position will be line managed by the Economic Recovery Team Leader.

About the job
Under the supervision of the Economic Recovery Team Leader, the Economic Recovery Assistant (Agricultural Support Assistant) will support the implementation of economic recovery activities in the agricultural (rural) sector, including but not limited to the provision of sectoral cash grants to farmers and small agricultural rural enterprises, grants for business development and capacity building, and training grants. They will closely cooperate with communities, civil society organizations (CSOs), and state institutions to identify vulnerable individuals in need of support, map services, and share information about available resources. The Economic Recovery Assistant (Agricultural Support Assistant) will be based at the DRC office in Mykolaiv and participate in trips across Mykolaiv and Kherson regions.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Implement program activities in the agricultural sector, such as providing sectoral cash grants to farmers and small agricultural enterprises, business development grants, training grants, and other forms of support in the economic sector.
• Enhance the quality of DRC’s community-based approach by effectively identifying and coordinating efforts with stakeholders, key informants, and community members.
• Establish and maintain relationships with relevant government, private, and non-governmental service providers and other stakeholders within project implementation.
• Identify economic recovery needs within designated areas and communicate them to the Economic Recovery Specialist. Collect both quantitative and qualitative data to support program implementation.
• Organize and conduct awareness-raising activities, including disseminating key messages, distributing informational and educational materials, and conducting information sessions based on identified needs.
• Foster strong connections with communities through consistent engagement with community structures, respecting cultural and dignity-sensitive approaches.
• Coordinate efforts with other DRC departments to facilitate referrals and information exchange.
• Engage in cash assistance and non-food item distribution activities, including direct participation in the organization and implementation of aid distribution to those affected by the conflict.
• Support DRC’s partner capacity-building efforts by assessing partner capabilities, advising on capacity development priorities, preparing capacity-building plans, and providing training, consultations, and on-the-job learning for partners.
• Monitors information regarding shelling in the Mykolaiv and Kherson oblasts.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Project Team Leader or Economic Recovery Department Manager to achieve economic recovery objectives.

About you

To be successful in the role of Economic Recovery Assistant (Agricultural Support Assistant), you are expected to actively participate in planning, implementing, and monitoring all economic recovery activities carried out by DRC. You should also develop and maintain strong relationships with individuals in need of assistance, communities, stakeholders, and other humanitarian organizations, ensuring the proper implementation and coordination of DRC’s sectoral activities and guaranteeing the quality and sustainability of economic recovery programs. Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Relevant higher or secondary special education (e.g., agriculture, political science, international development, or economics) or equivalent professional qualifications.
• Interest in business development and agricultural practices.
• Confidence in discussing sensitive topics and working with individuals in distress.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with vulnerable individuals, colleagues, and stakeholders with diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, ability to prioritize tasks and handle multiple responsibilities.
• High integrity and understanding of confidentiality and ethics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Internet Explorer, Outlook/Exchange, and Windows operating systems.
• Fluency in Ukrainian.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a similar role.
• Understanding of the agriculture and small/medium business sectors.
• Knowledge of agricultural value chain development processes.
• Familiarity with business grant schemes.
• Good command of English.

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: open ended contract after 3 month probation period.
Level: I– Non-Management
Designation of Duty Station: Mykolaiv - Full time based

Start date: As soon as possible.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.

Application process:

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

Applications are open until 22nd January 2025
Applications sent by email will not be considered.

We reserve the right to conduct further interviews before the deadline for submission of applications.

Department:

Location: Mykolaiv