Position: Country Head of Programmes Ukraine

Reporting Relationship: Country Representative

Location: Kyiv, with frequent travels to the field

Deadline: 04/07/2024

Starting date: 1° of September 2024

Family Duty Station: NO

R&R: YES

Working context

Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, around 17 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection throughout Ukraine. WeWorld works alongside those who, despite the conflict, have decided to stay, those who have returned after having abandoned their homes under the attacks, displaced from the eastern part of the country and refugees in Moldova.

The main sectors of intervention are WASH, Shelter/NFI, Child Protection, and sectorial CASH assistance (Cash for Shelter, CASH for Health and CASH for Protection) for conflict affected population in newly liberated areas; psycho-social support activities are carried out mainly to women and children through mobile units and setting up child friendly spaces; distribution of non-food items has been provided for the most vulnerable population in the rural areas in the east and south of the country. Moreover, WeWorld is supporting rural communities through the rehabilitation of Health and WASH facilities.

Currently the humanitarian operations of WeWorld are conducted in the Oblasts of Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odessa and Kyiv. The country office is set down in Kyiv and field offices in Kharkiv, Lviv and soon in Mykolaiv.

Job description

The Country Head of Programmes will supervise all ongoing projects in the country in accordance with the strategy, plans and policies of the WeWorld mission in Ukraine. The Country Head of Programs will ensure technical and quality control of ongoing project interventions and contribute to the development of new interventions.

Main tasks and ResponsIbilities

• Ensure quality implementation for 5 projects currently being implemented (in WaSH, WaSH in health, Cash assistance, Winterization, NFI distribution, Shelter etc.)
• Coordinate the work, provide quality control and support to the Project Managers or Area Managers or thematic Experts, in coordination with the Country Representative.
• Directly supervise all colleagues currently working on the projects.
• Play a key role in developing and defining the mission’s country strategy under the supervision and coordination of the Country Representative.
• Coordinate the development of new projects (logical framework design, participation in budget preparation and narrative writing) in collaboration with other stakeholders in the organization (WeWorld headquarters, technical experts, etc.);
• Supervise and coordinate reporting to donors in collaboration with each Project Manager (mainly AICS, UN and Swiss cooperation);
• Represent WeWorld in sector and coordination meetings when necessary.

DUTIES

• Project management, reporting and quality control.
• Oversee and maintain project work plans with input from Project/Area/Sector Managers and relevant team members to ensure proper implementation of activities.
• With the support of the Finance Coordinator, manage budgets in accordance with donor and WeWorld guidelines, supporting Project Managers in budget revisions when necessary.
• Provide support and supervision to Project/Area/Sector Managers through regular field visits and meetings with staff and project team members.
• Ensure that all reports are properly drafted and submitted on time to donors.
• In the absence of the Project/Area/Sector Managers, carry out management tasks relating to the implementation of the project from both a programmatic and financial point of view.

Human resources

• Supervise and build the capacity of the project teams concerned.
• In accordance with WeWorld procedures and in collaboration with the Human Resources Department, support when needed the Project Manager/Area/Sector Managers in the recruitment, training, supervision and evaluation of the project staff team, including the identification of capacity building needs and the implementation of adapted training sessions.
• Ensure that project staff respect WeWorld rules and regulations and adhere to WeWorld values, policies and code of ethics.

Development of strategies and new projects

• Support the Country Representative in the development, implementation and evaluation of the mission strategy and program, providing updates, input and recommendations for new and ongoing interventions in the country.
• In cooperation with the Country Representative, Regional Coordinator, national staff and HQ departments, contribute to the updating of the country strategy for the mission.
• Lead the development and drafting of potential new funding opportunities and project proposals.

Monitoring, evaluation and supervision

• To contribute to the implementation of the MEAL strategy and tools for the mission and its projects.
• In collaboration with the MEAL focal point in Ukraine and in HQ, provide advice and support to the Project/Area Managers and other Experts in the planning of work, budgets and expenditure related to the MEAL components.
• Support the Project Managers in planning and monitoring the implementation of activities and the achievement of results.
• Support the MEAL focal point in Ukraine in setting up and supervising project MEAL plans.

Representation, coordination and advocacy

• In coordination with the Project/Area/Sector Managers and the Country Representative, establish and maintain collaborative relationships with donors, project stakeholders and other organizations working in project intervention areas.
• Participate in meetings (with program managers from other NGOs, donors concerned at central level or in the field, etc.), following the instructions of the Country Representative.
• Participate proactively in various coordination meetings at national level.
• Advanced university degree or equivalent in social or political sciences, development studies, international relations, project management, human rights.

Any other task requested by the Country Representative, for an efficient and quality implementation of WeWorld strategy and projects in Ukraine, according to the needs of the mission.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Strong management skills and good knowledge of the policies and procedures of major international donors (EU, AICS, UN, etc.);
• Good knowledge of MSOffice.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, Ukrainian language would be a plus

Professional experience

• At least four years of professional experience in international cooperation for development
• Proved experience in managing emergency and (transitional) development projects funded by institutional donors in the field of infrastructure rehabilitation/construction, WaSH and Cash assistance
• Experience in economic empowerment programming
• Experience in gender mainstreaming
• Proved experience in successful project proposals writing
• Ability to assess needs, develop and write new project proposals

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to analyze information, evaluate options, think and plan strategically
• High degree of flexibility and ability to adapt behavior to the needs of the situation
• Ability to work independently and prevent/resolve problems
• Proven organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks effectively while promoting quality, team spirit and positive working relationships with colleagues
• Good communication and negotiation skills and sensitivity in dealing with local institutions on critical issues
• Cultural, gender, religious and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Strong commitment to the mission of WeWorld, genuine interest in international cooperation development issues

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

• Previous work experience in Eastern Europe
  • Knowledge of the Italian language. Previous experience in emergency and war context will be a plus

WHAT WE OFFER

Type of contract: a first 6 (six) month collaboration contract subject to verification of the achievement of specific objectives (these objectives will be agreed together with the Country Representative upon arrival on assignment); a second collaboration contract of 6 (six) months renewable, following the positive evaluation of the first three months of contract

Economic conditions to be defined according to WeWorld Expatriates Compensation Policy: Base Salary (seniority/role held) + Contributions (role complex and hardship based on place of work)

Annual leave: 2,5 days/month (working days)

Flight ticket: one return flight every 12 months of contract

Health insurance: covered

R&R Policy: 5 days every 8 weeks, up to 500 euro of travel reimbursement and 500 Euros of per diem

WHO WE ARE

We support people in overcoming emergencies and we strive to guarantee that everyone can have a decent and dignified life as well as opportunities and a better future. We work in 27 countries around the world, including in Italy, with more than 165 emergency, humanitarian aid and development projects. Our activities mainly involve women, girls and young people, actors of change in every community for a fairer and more inclusive world.

We operate in several natural and man-made crisis in various regions of the world. The emergency response, coordinated by the Humanitarian Aid Unit, is composed of multi-sectorial interventions comprising of WASH, EiE, CVA, Food Security, Protection, and others. We operate also in protracted crisis with provision of humanitarian aid through a prevention, emergency relief and rehabilitation approach.

In the last 4 years we have strengthened the regions and the countries where we have been working, we have created new programs, developed new quality and compliance systems and now we need new people who want to join us to build the world we want in the coming years. Join us.