Country Director, Ukraine At Polish Humanitarian Action – Polska Akcja Humanitarna

Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) is currently looking for a Country Director to ensure responsive programme development, implementation and strategical direction in Ukraine.

General information:

Position: Country Director

Reporting to: Field Operation Manager

Location: Ukraine, Kiev

Job terms: Full-time, 12 months employment contract

Starting date: ASAP

About PAH:

Polish Humanitarian Action is a non-governmental organization providing humanitarian and development relief worldwide since 1992. So far, we have carried out interventions in 52 different countries, implementing projects in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Shelter, Education, Food Security and Livelihood and Psychological support. Our head office is located in Warsaw, and we have also 6 national office in such locations as: South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Yemen, Madagascar and Ukraine, where we employ mainly local employees.

Learn more about values and principles that guide us in our daily work, you can find them in the PAH Culture Book. It is not only a guide to our activities, but also a document presenting the foundations on which our organization is based: humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.

PAH has been present in Ukraine since August 2014 delivering humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable of the conflict-affected population. PAH provides assistance to internally displaced people, elderly and single mothers, working in the sectors of Protection, WASH, MPCA, Food Security and Livelihoods.

For more information, please refer to www.pah.org.pl

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Leadership and Representation

• Provide strategic leadership, fostering a professional and collaborative team environment.
• Maintain open and professional relationships with colleagues, promoting a strong team spirit and ensuring staff have the guidance and resources to succeed.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with donors, local authorities, INGOs, LNGOs, CSOs, authorities and relevant stakeholders.
• Ensure comprehensive knowledge of donor priorities and funding streams to align strategic planning.
• Represent the organization in discussions with international bodies and donors to secure necessary resources and influence policy decisions affecting humanitarian operations.
• Strengthen partnerships with relevant, partners and stakeholders to coordinate efforts and maximize the impact of humanitarian assistance.

Strategic Leadership and Program Development

• Define and implement the strategic vision and direction of the country program to ensure responsive, high-quality, and accountable programming.
• Align programming with the strategic action plan, sectoral expertise, and technical standards.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for program growth and expansion to serve more beneficiaries.
• Continuously assess and respond to the dynamic humanitarian landscape in Ukraine, ensuring programs are flexible and responsive to emerging crises.

Operational and Financial Management

• Drive operational excellence, ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness in all country program functions.
• Oversee the development and implementation of financial and operational policies, procedures, and systems to ensure compliance with organizational and donor requirements.
• Monitor financial performance and ensure appropriate resource allocation and utilization.
• Uphold the organization’s commitment to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) by ensuring all operations respect and promote these principles.
• Utilize digital tools and platforms to streamline operations, enhance communication, and improve data management in challenging environments.

Staff Performance Management and Development

• Oversee the performance management process, including setting clear expectations, regular feedback, and conducting semi-annual performance reviews for direct reports.
• Provide constructive feedback and career development guidance for staff.
• Manage and develop national and international staff, fostering a motivated and skilled workforce.
• Promote staff care and well-being, modelling healthy work-life balance practices and addressing staff care needs when necessary.
• Provide access to mental health resources and training for staff to address the psychological impacts of working in high-stress conflict environments.
• Ensure all staff receive comprehensive requisite training tailored to the specific roles, responsibilities and tasks in Ukraine. P
• Promote and support a culture of safety, security and preparedness through the collaborative efforts with the Country Head of Security.

The successful candidate will be selected based on the qualification requirements described below:

• Multiple international humanitarian mission experience (outside of your home country).
• A university degree or equivalent demonstrable experience in international development, sociology, public administration, or other relevant fields.
• Demonstrable experience and exposure living and working in dynamic, complex environments including conflict affected and/or post conflict affected contexts.
• Minimum eight (8) years’ demonstrable management experience leading increasingly large complex multi-department, multi-disciplinary, multi-level teams (>75 people).
• Proven ability to create, delegate, implement and monitor assignments, and tasks.
• A clear understanding of and the ability to coach, mentor build capacity of staff.
• Solution oriented problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Ability & willingness to focus on and maintain positive team dynamics and provide individual team member support and development.
• High functioning communication skills focusing on clear, concise, direct and timely messaging, including an ability to analyse data & synthesize into a concise report.
• Experience and ability to represent, develop and expand relevant professional networks with partners, stakeholders, and other agencies across all applicable sectors.
• Ability to quickly absorb and understand local context and understand the humanitarian & social needs in Ukraine.
• English language (C1/C2) fluency.
• Ability to communicate in Ukrainian or Russian language is a distinct advantage.
• Experience working in Ukraine, Eastern or Central Europe a plus.
• Visa obtention for Ukraine is required. Schengen zone visa obtention is an asset.
• strategic mindset, strong analytical and problem solving skills
• languages: Full proficiency (C1) in spoken and written English required,
• Proficiency in MS Office package

What PAH offers:

• Work experience with professional and flexible international NGO, which is one of the largest NGOs in the Central-Eastern Europe,
• Opportunity to work in a dynamic and motivated team,
• Professional development within the INGO context
• Free accommodation
• Flights home covered at the beginning and at the end of the deployment
• R&R benefit
• Annual leave of 26 working days and 5 additional days of leave
• Medical insurance (including Emergency Evacuation)
• Psychological support package