Description of the general context:  

The war broke out in Ukraine in February 2022. Shortly after the outbreak of the conflict, VIS, with the support of the Salesians Partner in Ukraine, set up its emergency response from April 2022. Currently, the team in Ukraine is operating across two main operational hubs in Lviv for the West and in Dnipro for the East (Lviv, Kiev, Dnipro, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia). VIS interventions are embedded in a programmatic approach to respond to the multisectoral needs of the conflict-affected population, focusing on the following sectors: Protection, Education in Emergency, MHPSS, Health, Food Security and NFIs response, serving internally displaced persons (IDPs), their host communities in areas of displacement and providing emergency humanitarian assistance in frontline. The project portfolio in Ukraine is supported by different donors. VIS works mainly in collaboration and coordination with the Salesian Congregation and other partners across all oblasts of intervention.  

General purpose of the position:  

The Country Representative is responsible for the proper implementation of the interventions carried out in the country of competence; operational monitoring of activities; keeping relations with the various donors and stakeholders; planning and design of new interventions in the area of interest and local fundraising. S/he will be responsible for the VIS staff in the country. 

Main responsibilities and tasks:  

• Coordinate and ensure the smooth running of VIS activities in Ukraine, through the management of projects, VIS staff, work premises, accommodation and transport, ensuring compliance with security procedures.  

• Improve the effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of the VIS interventions in favor of the target groups and in the areas of interest according to the VIS General Strategic Planning and the Country Strategic Annual Planning. 

• Ensure the maintenance and building of good institutional relationships of VIS Ukraine with the Salesian counterpart, develop new public and private partnerships, keep relationship with donors, humanitarian clusters, and all other international organizations in line with the VIS Country Strategy.  

• Identify new fundraising opportunities to strengthen and further develop VIS mission and programs in Ukraine.  

• Identify, formulate and present new project proposals in agreement with the Programme Coordination Unit and the Planning and Control Unit.  

• Represent VIS legally in the country, in all the appropriate forums, ensuring compliance with the laws in force in Ukraine.  

• Supervise the Program/Project Managers to plan project objectives and priorities in line with VIS strategic direction, identifying humanitarian needs, analyzing contextual and humanitarian issues, risks, constraints, and determining human and financial resource requirements.  

• Supervise the project implementation and ensure the delivery of quality and timely reports to the donor and the program implementation in accordance with the established timetable.  

• Review the formulation of key documents related to project implementation, including periodic implementation plans, dissemination materials and activity briefing notes.  

• Supervise internal staff and coordinate with partners, donors, and stakeholders, ensuring excellent collaboration and results.  

• Supervise the identification of financial commitments necessary for project completion, respecting donor guidelines.  

• Plan and monitor the mission expenditures to ensure they are in line with VIS and donor guidelines for accounting and financial reporting practices.  

• Oversee the collection of supporting documents for expenditure and ensure compliance with donor guidelines.  

• Supervise interim and final narrative and financial reporting, ensuring compliance with donor guidelines.  

• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders and represents VIS in relevant meetings and forums in order to facilitate and maximize the coordination and visibility of the organization’s action.  

• Ensures that staff receive appropriate and adequate training by promoting capacity building of local staff.  

• Monitor, and supervise, in collaboration with the Program/Project Managers and the Security Advisor, the security of the area of operation on a regular basis, liaising as applicable with local authorities, other NGOs, INSO, the UNDSS or other relevant security bodies. Ensure that VIS Country Security Plan and SoPs are disseminated and in place. Report as appropriate to the Program Desk Officer and the Security Advisor. 

Requirements 

• Master’s degree in a relevant subject such as Political Sciences, International Relations, Humanitarian and International Cooperation Management, Development studies or related fields; 

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in management of humanitarian project/program, including financial management and logistics responsibilities. Minimum 3-year experience in complex emergency settings and insecure countries; 

• Knowledge of Humanitarian Essentials, Sphere and Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP) Standards and other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols. Advanced planning, assessment, and analytical skills. Good report and proposal writing skills; 

• Excellent knowledge of English (spoken and written). Good knowledge of Italian (spoken and written) is also an asset; 

• Analytical thinking, analysis capacity. Strong interpersonal skills: communication, diplomatic skills, and problem-solving. 

To apply, fill out the form specifying the role:  3000 Country Representative Ukraine 

CV, motivation letter and References (at least 2 contacts) are required. 

Deadline for sending applications: 19/08/2024 

Only those profiles that meet the requirements will be contacted.