Consultant position as Program Officer, Kyiv At Raoul Wallenberg Institute

About RWI
The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) has worked for nearly forty years to promote respect for human rights through research, education and capacity development. We believe that by supporting practitioners and bringing people together around human rights, on the basis of new knowledge and tools developed, connecting theory and practice, we contribute to lasting human rights change.

If you are passionate about human rights and want to work to achieve this in a dynamic international environment, this position may be for you.

RWI is an independent academic institution established at Lund University in Sweden in 1984. We combine multi-disciplinary human rights research with education, capacity building, and outreach to contribute to a wider understanding of, and respect for, human rights and humanitarian law. We work with multiple thematic areas within human rights: ‘rule of law and access to justice’, ‘international humanitarian law, ‘human rights and the environment’, ‘business and human rights’, and ‘non-discrimination and inclusion’. Since the early 1990s, we have cooperated with a wide range of individuals and institutions in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, to advance the practical application of human rights around the world. Our cooperation is characterised by mutual trust, long-term commitment, and achievement of common objectives. Currently, we have offices in Bangkok, Harare, Jakarta, Lund, Nairobi, Phnom Penh, and Yerevan.

The Role as Programme Officer
The successful candidate will be coordinating a new RWI project that will support Ukraine’s EU accession process through human rights expertise for Chapter 23. The project will engage Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice with the support of multi-stakeholder partnerships, local perspectives and outreach on the national and EU levels.

The consultancy will be based in Kyiv, full-time, estimated 40 hours per week. The position is subject to the availability of funding for the initial period of February – December 2025. The Programme Officer will report to the Regional Director Europe, based in Lund, Sweden.

In this role, you will be responsible for planning and implementing activities as outlined in approved work plans. This includes developing terms of reference and agreements, creating agendas and materials, securing resource persons, making logistical arrangements such as travel and accommodation, and coordinating the completion of deliverables. You will also oversee programme budgets to ensure resources are efficiently allocated to achieve expected results. Regular assessment and monitoring of programme developments and results will be essential, as will preparing narrative reports to analyse outcomes.

Additionally, the Programme Officer will develop methodologies and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) tools to enhance programme effectiveness. You will contribute to external communications, sharing insights and lessons learned, and remain informed about relevant geographic, thematic, and political developments to ensure the success of your responsibilities. Working closely with colleagues in Lund and other stakeholders, you will also support RWI’s global work within the justice sector.

Your role will involve initiating and maintaining regular contact with partners, authorities, organisations, donors, and other relevant stakeholders. You will assess new programme opportunities that align with RWI’s mandate and priorities, and when appropriate, develop proposals and concept notes for new initiatives. A collaborative and proactive approach is critical, as you will actively contribute to a team environment, sharing knowledge, addressing challenges, and supporting a learning organisation.

Your Profile
We are looking for a professional with at least five years of documented experience in programme management and human rights, preferably with a focus on the justice sector and policy in the context of international development cooperation in Ukraine. A strong knowledge of international human rights law, standards, and mechanisms is essential, supported by a relevant university degree, ideally with specialisation in human rights, law, international relations, European studies, or a related field. Prior experience with EU integration processes is an advantage.

The ideal candidate will have excellent organisational and analytical skills and a solid understanding of international development cooperation methods. Fluency in Ukrainian and English, along with exceptional English writing skills, is required. You should demonstrate proven teamwork abilities, effective communication and interpersonal skills, and the capacity to take initiative while prioritising tasks under pressure.

We value flexibility, proactivity, and a solution-oriented mindset, coupled with a desire to improve work performance continuously. A high sense of responsibility, strong attention to detail, cultural sensitivity, and a commitment to sharing knowledge are also critical for this role.