Country Director Emergency UKRAINE At Handicap International – Humanity & Inclusion

“Outraged by the injustice experienced by people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, we aspire to a world of solidarity and inclusion, where all differences enrich us and where everyone can live upright.”

Handicap International is an independent and impartial international solidarity organization, which intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflicts and disasters. Working alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, it acts and speaks out to meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

HI is committed to an employment policy in favour of disabled workers.

JOB CONTEXT:

Situation Overview

In March 2014, anti-government protests in Ukraine led to the removal of a Kremlin-friendly leader from power, and Russia invaded and annexed the Crimean Peninsula. A month later, pro-Russian separatists backed by Russia began capturing territory from the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts (the Donbass region). In 2015, the peace Minsk agreement was signed, however never fully implemented and the fighting has transformed into a trench war over the past eight years. After having built up significant military forces on Ukraine’s borders in 2021, and after having recognized the independence of Russian-backed self-declared republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, Russia launched on the 24 February a large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine by air, land and sea targeting several regions and key cities including Kyiv.

Humanitarian situation

Heavy fighting and shelling continue across several towns and cities in Ukraine, with increasing human cost and humanitarian consequence. Most of these casualties were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area. Reports of civilians trapped in towns and cities under shelling continue. Inside Ukraine, severe essential health supplies, fuel and cash shortages are reported, with heightened insecurity affecting access to basic services. Population movement remains fluid and according to latest figures by UNHCR, close to 900,000 people have now fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, while over 100,000 have so far been internally displaced. Real figures are considerably higher as corroboration is ongoing, albeit with delays and security challenges.

The UN Flash Appeal was released on 01/03 for the Ukraine Crisis, requiring 1.7 billion USD : 1.1 billion USD to assist 6M people in need of humanitarian and protection assistance, including 2.4M IDPs amongst an estimated 12M people in need. The Regional Refugee Response Plan requires 550.6 million USD to assist 2.4M individuals of an estimated 4M affected people in support of host countries including Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

Priorities of the Ukraine Flash Appeal include:

o Multi-sectoral life-saving assistance to displaced and non-displaced populations:

Protection, shelter, health, NFIs, food security and livelihoods, water, sanitation, hygiene, and education (Multipurpose cash)

o Logistics & communication

o Protection of conflict affected populations (including VBG, AVR)

o Provision of basic services in areas impacted by the escalation of hostilities.

Priorities of the Regional Refugee Response Plan include:

o Critical life-saving assistance at border points

o Strengthening and supporting access to mental health and psychosocial support; provision of basic and domestic items including food, unrestricted cash assistance, and core relief items; and WASH, education and health services, including sexual and reproductive health services

o Protection interventions

Both call for specific attention to the needs of most vulnerable populations.

HI response to the conflict and its regional impact

HI has deployed two teams in the region, with one team deploying to Ukraine and a second team leading an assessment in neighbouring countries receiving refugees. The main objectives will be to assess more deeply the current context & environment, identify potential operational partners, meet with key relevant stakeholders on the ground and asses the overall needs of the population, and requirement to start operations. HI is therefore preparing to be able to deploy quickly a large-scale multi sectoral humanitarian response.

YOUR MISSION:

As a Country Director you contribute within Ukraine to the implementation of the mandate and the strategy of Humanity & Inclusion. You ensure optimal quality and impact of the activities in the Programme, through a delegation system with appropriate control mechanisms.

· You are the legal representative in the country of the overall HI organization internally and externally, and promotes a high reputation and positive image of HI. You Develop external influence of HI (forums, operational & strategic alliances, etc.) and the external representation of the organization (events, media) in the Programme’s geographical scope

· By being the top manager of the Programme organization you set up a team spirit and team functioning guaranteeing synergies and exchange of good practices between the different actors in the Programme and with head office colleagues.

· You deploy HI’s full mandate and 2025 Strategy, with operational partners, institutions and/or donors, and steers organisational transformation in line with Lean, Shared Services and transformation projects. This is done through the development and implementation of the Programme’s Operational Strategy.

· In case of emergency, you take responsibilities in accordance with the response framework defined.

· Be responsible for fundraising and resource planning: The Operational Strategy includes a fundraising strategy aligned with HI’s ethical principles and the Institutional Funding Development Plan.

· With regard to the safeguarding of beneficiaries of HI’s Programmes: respects and ensures respect of institutional policies by the HQ and field staff that you manage**

· With regard to security management: **

• You Ensure compliance with institutional safety & security policy and the application of normative frameworks and standard operating procedures (context classification chart, security plans, etc.)**
• May be delegated authority for management of crisis cells/ exceptional cells; **

· You ensure compliance with the budget framework (including unrestricted funds) and HI policies and frameworks (safeguarding, commitment thresholds, security, human resources, risk management, etc.)

· You actively monitor and analyse context developments, in order to identify risks and opportunities.**

YOUR PROFILE:

· Degree in social science or international relations

· At least 5 years’ experience at key management position within international organizations

· Management experience in humanitarian and emergency programs

· Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills;

· Ability to work under high pressure and without constant supervision;

· Motivated by constant program adaptation to an evolving context and set up of partnerships with local and international partners;

· Excellent organisational skills, co-ordination and transfer of knowledge;

· Excellent communication skills and commitment to team work;

· Ability to work in a tensed and volatile context with strict security measures;

· Proven experience in negotiations with institutional donors, project writing and reporting.

· English mandatory (oral and written)

CONDITIONS:

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. https://hi.org/en/join-the-team

· The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:**

o Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals**

o Pension scheme adapted to the situation of our employees: If you already have a personal pension scheme HI will contribute at the same level of your personal monthly contribution with a maximum of 272.53€/month ; If you do not have a personal pension scheme, we will open a private pension account with your contribution of 272.53€/month and a contribution of HI of the same amount**

o Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution **

o Repatriation insurance paid by HI**

· Salary upon experience