Country Director, Ukraine

Job Description

SCOPE OF WORK

IRC Ukraine was established following the eruption of conflict in 2022. The program currently has field offices in Kharkiv, Dnipro and Odesa and a head office in Kyiv to support programming inside Ukraine.

The Country Director for Ukraine is responsible for overall leadership and management of IRC operations in the country, including stewardship of resources, staff safety and security, program quality and accountability, and performance management. The Country Director is likewise IRC’s principal representative to the government of Ukraine, donors, international organizations, other NGOs, and the media. In this role, you will be responsible for responding effectively to a constantly evolving environment with effective humanitarian and early recovery programs, implemented directly and alongside partner organizations. Finally, the Country Director leads country program staff in pursuing the outcomes identified in the Strategy Action Plan (SAP), bringing them together to deliver high-quality, cost-effective programming results.

Success in this position will require you to show exemplary leadership abilities with strong communications and interpersonal skills. The successful candidate will enjoy developing networks to build partnerships and diversify program resources, and will have prior experience with programming and systems in complex insecure environments. Given the operating environment, the Country Director will need to be attentive to risk management and have proven skills in leading strategy development.

Reporting to the Senior Director for the Ukraine Crisis, this position receives support from regional and headquarters staff in the areas of program quality, new business development, safety and security management, finance, operations management, and external affairs. The Country Director is expected to actively participate in defining the IRC’s public advocacy positions.

The overall security situation in Ukraine is dynamic and varies from one IRC operating area to another. Security is volatile in IRC areas of operation, and this role requires someone with strong context analysis and security and access experience. This position should expect frequent travel within the country.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Representation

• Lead the country program by maintaining open and professional relations with colleagues, promoting a strong team spirit, and providing guidance, oversight, and resources to enable staff to perform successfully.

• Develop and carry out strategies that result in strong representation with: Ukraine Government authorities at various levels; donors (including institutional, non-institutional and private), European Union; UN and other international organizations; international and local NGOs; and networks such as INGO coordination mechanisms and appropriate working groups.

• Ensure that the IRC becomes a leading agency for quality programming within the response.

• Initiate and sustain strong, mutually beneficial, and authentic partnerships with Ukrainian organizations.

• Seek out and pursue respectful and safe opportunities to raise the profile of the work of the IRC and its partners in Ukraine, as well as the lives and the needs of the people the IRC seeks to serve.

Strategic Direction, Program Quality and Growth

• Set the strategic vision and direction of the country program to serve more people with the most responsive and highest quality programming possible and secure the resources necessary to do so.

• Ensure the strategic vision and direction of the country program is aligned with IRC’s Strategy 100.

• Align programming to the country’s program strategy, sectoral expertise, and technical standards.

• Develop a deep understanding of the geopolitical landscape and remain current on context analysis and develop responsive strategies to ensure the IRC mission can be carried out appropriately in case of contextual changes.

• Seek opportunities for appropriate expansion and growth of programs.

Safety and Security Management

• Take primary responsibility for overall management of safety and security for the country program.

• Oversee the management of all security issues, including appropriate response to emergency situations as they arise.

• Build and maintain a culture of safety and security throughout the country program, including training and briefings that prepare all country program staff for security incident prevention and response.

• Keep security, evacuation, and contingency plans current and accessible to country program staff.

• Maintain close coordination and communication with the Regional Safety and Security Director on safety and security concerns and evolving issues that could adversely affect IRC staff or operations.

Staff Performance Management and Development

• Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely performance feedback, and leading documented semi-annual performance reviews.

• Provide constructive feedback and counsel on appropriate career paths and professional development for IRC staff.

• Be responsible for the management, coaching and development of national and international staff to build a cadre of skilled, committed, and motivated personnel.

• Pursue nationalization of senior management positions, especially as the country program stabilizes.

• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.

• Offer leadership support for successful adherence by all staff to IRC’s Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures.

• Work with regional HR staff to identify and implement recruitment and retention strategies.

• Undertake regular reviews of labor and salary markets in Ukraine for the purpose of enhancing the competitiveness of the IRC’s overall compensation package for national staff.

Stewardship and Operational Management

• Drive operational excellence to achieve optimal efficiency and cost-effectiveness in all functions and operations of the country program.

• Supervise the development, deployment and utilization of financial and operational policies, procedures, and systems to deliver compliance with IRC and donor requirements.

• Ensure responsiveness and appropriate levels of in-person and remote support to all offices, especially in the areas of HR, finance, and supply chain.

• Provide timely and effective oversight of the Ukraine country program’s financial position.

• Manage effective and coordinated budget monitoring processes for grant funds and discretionary funds.

Communications

• Model and encourage active practice of the principles of the “IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct” throughout the Ukraine country program.

• Maintain a healthy and empowering office environment that encourages open, honest, and productive communication among IRC staff and with partner organizations.

• Maintain open communications with regional management staff, regional technical advisors, and HQ departmental staff.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Direct reports include the Deputy Director for Programs, Deputy Director for Finance, the Deputy Director for Operations, Human Resources Coordinator, Safety & Security Coordinator, and other support leadership positions.

Key Working Relationships

Internal: Senior Director for Ukraine Crisis, Deputy Director, Human Resources, Regional Safety & Security Director, Senior Program & Business Development Advisor.

External: Partner organizations, host country government officials, public and private donor agencies, international and national NGOs, UN agencies

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• At least ten years of progressively responsible international work experience, including at least three years in a leadership role at the Country Director level of multi-site, multi-sectoral operations in a complex operating environment.

• Experience working on program and country office start up.

• Demonstrated successful leadership and management experience with a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting, including active mentoring and coaching.

• Proven experience delivering appropriate levels of oversight for a portfolio consisting of a variety of complex, high-value donor-funded projects.

• Experience of managing security in a fluid environment.

• Ability to work, live and thrive in a complex environment.

• Skilled at building trusting effective relationships with government officials, donor representatives, staff, NGO partners, community leaders and clients.

• Strong budget and fiscal oversight capacities

• Established capacity to deal with ambiguity in stressful situations.

• Ability to respond to multiple priorities in a timely manner, producing high-quality outcomes.

• Previous experience working in region and/or with IRC preferred.

• Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Ukrainian an asset.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity:

IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Gender Equality:

IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Professional Standards:

The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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