Head of Programmes - Ukraine

Overview

Provide exceptional leadership and programme direction to our humanitarian health response in Ukraine.

You have:

• Extensive experience in humanitarian health programming.
• Experience in the design and delivery of effective, multi-sector responses in complex and insecure settings.
• Proven ability to manage multi-million-dollar programme portfolios.
• Strong leadership skills and experience in leading cross-functional teams.
• Experience in building relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, UN agencies, and INGOs.
• Ability to report and evaluate programme quality and impact.
• Existing right to enter Schengen Zone countries in order to transit to Ukraine.

Can you provide exceptional leadership and programme direction to our humanitarian health response in Ukraine?

• Hours: Full time, with some weekend and evening working required to support the humanitarian programme delivery

• Pay: Up to £4,500 gross per month (dependent on experience)

• Location: Ukraine/Dnipro with frequent travel to field offices

• Duration: Until 31st of December 2025 (funding pipeline dependent) with potential extension

This role is within our Ukraine Programme and will be carried out in Ukraine.

Preferably applicants need to have an existing right to enter Schengen Zone countries in order to transit to Ukraine e.g. citizenship/residence of a Schengen Zone country, r an ETIAS eligible country (https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-requirements) but this is not essential.

UK-Med is a frontline medical aid charity. Born of the NHS, we’ve been working for over 30 years towards a world where everyone has the healthcare they need when crises or disasters hit.

We are recruiting a Head of Programmes to lead the design, implementation, and quality assurance of our health programming in Ukraine, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and responsiveness to the health needs of conflict-affected populations.

The Head of Programmes will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering a complex portfolio of health interventions, including direct provision of primary and secondary healthcare, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), and specialist clinical training. You will be responsible for ensuring programme quality and impact through robust monitoring and evaluation, and for promoting sustainability through targeted capacity-building of local health systems.

UK-Med has been operational in Ukraine since the outbreak of war in 2022, focusing on delivering high-quality, needs-driven healthcare to communities near the frontline. Our programmes have evolved to remain dynamic, responsive, and grounded in humanitarian principles and best practices.

Our ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in humanitarian health programming, including the design and delivery of effective, multi-sector responses in complex and insecure settings. You will be skilled in developing impactful strategies, managing multi-million-dollar programme portfolios, and leading cross-functional teams to excellence.

You will also be adept at building relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, UN agencies, and INGOs, representing UK-Med’s work with professionalism and integrity.

If you have the vision, leadership, and expertise to drive high-quality humanitarian health programming in one of the world’s most complex emergencies, we want to hear from you.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits along with a friendly working environment and the opportunity to make a real difference

How to apply

We strongly recommend that you read the Candidate Information Pack – Head of Programmes - Ukraine - June 2025 before applying for this role.

To apply, please submit a current CV and a supporting letter (2 pages) through our online jobs portal.

Please apply below, and no later than 16th June 2025. We will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and so encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

The question you will be asked to answer are:

Applicants must have an existing right to enter Schengen Zone countries in order to transit to Ukraine e.g. citizenship/residence of a Schengen Zone country, or an ETIAS eligible country. Do you have an existing right? Please state what right to work you hold in the Ukraine? E.g. Right to work in the Schengen area/ Ukrainian citizen/ specific Visa. Please state details. Not sure what Schengen rights are? Follow this link (https://www.etiasvisa.com/etias-requirements) UK-Med is committed to safeguarding of our personnel and beneficiaries and has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and abuse. We conduct thorough vetting before any appointment is confirmed.

UK-Med is committed to the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive environment where employees feel respected and supported to be able to fulfil their potential.

Potential interview questions