Country Representative (Director) in Solidar Suisse Ukraine

Country Representative Ukraine

Start date:                   May 2025 (negotiable)

Place of work:              Kyiv, Ukraine

Reporting to:                   Desk Officer Ukraine at HQ in Switzerland

1. Solidar Suisse

Solidar Suisse's humanitarian aid programs aim to save lives and alleviate the suffering of people affected by natural disasters, armed conflicts, and wars. Our interventions include short-term emergency relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction, restoration of livelihoods and disaster risk reduction. To ensure that aid reaches the most vulnerable and meets priority needs, our teams consult carefully with those affected and work closely with local authorities and local partner organizations. As a signatory to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief, Solidar Suisse is committed to principled humanitarian action, which means that we provide humanitarian assistance in an impartial and independent manner. We coordinate our aid with the relevant actors on the ground.

1. Background

Solidar Suisse has been present in Ukraine since 2022, providing protection, shelter, multipurpose cash, and winterization assistance to conflict-affected people in Ukraine in Vinnytsia, Kharkiv, Donetsk and Dnipropetrowsk Oblasts. Currently, our program in Ukraine works with three local partner organizations. We support conflict affected populations, especially people with disabilities, women and children as well as war veterans to cope with consequences of war, ensuring access to mental health and psychosocial support, protection and social protection services. 

Our team is currently consisting of eight staff members. 

1. Objective

The Country Representative for Ukraine is responsible for the strategic and overall management of the program in Ukraine based on Solidar Suisse guidelines and policies, including ensuring the smooth functioning of the coordination office in Kiev and transparent administration. The Country Representative is responsible for proactively identifying and utilizing fundraising opportunities. S/he represents Solidar Suisse in Ukraine and works closely with Solidar Suisse headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. 

The workplace is the office in Kiev with travel to project sites in Ukraine.

1. Main Tasks & Responsibilities

• General management of the program, its implementation and development 
• Official representation of Solidar Suisse in Ukraine
• Establish and maintain good inter-institutional relations with partner organizations, international NGOs, local government, the UN, the Swiss Embassy in Ukraine, and other donors
• Financial management and internal control in accordance with Solidar Suisse policies and donor requirements
• Manage the office of currently 8 staff members, ensuring a collaborative and participative working environment, providing regular and constructive feedback
• Provide narrative and financial reporting that meets Solidar Suisse and donor requirements
• Monitor and identify funding opportunities through local and international calls for proposals in line with Solidar Suisse's thematic approaches
• Build inter-institutional relationships with potential donors 
• Take the initiative to establish networks, alliances, and consortia with other institutions for joint fund management
• Ensure the development of project proposals that meet donor requirements, in coordination with Solidar Suisse headquarters

1. Job requirements

• Master’s degree or equivalent, preferably in social sciences, development/international relations, or related fields
• Relevant experience in managing teams
• Proven financial management experience 
• Strong knowledge of humanitarian and development cooperation and context in Ukraine. Experience or interest in transitioning from humanitarian programming to recovery/sustainable programming is an added value
• At least 5 years of working experience in impact and quality driven program and project management and development (including developing proposals)
• Solid experience in planning, monitoring and implementation of projects and programmes (PCM-experience) and in cooperation with local partner organizations. 
• Good skills and interest in inter-agency relations, representation, and negotiation
• Proven fundraising capacity and knowledge of the donor landscape in Ukraine
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing emergency response project, knowledge in other Solidar Suisse's thematic areas is an advantage (Economy and Labor, Democracy and Civil Society)
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships internally and externally
• Proven experience in security and safety management
• Proactive attitude and interest in design and innovation
• Good conceptual, analytical and writing skills
• Identification with Solidar's vision, mission and values
• Good level of spoken and written Ukrainian and English
• Interest and orientation towards teamwork and solution finding

We offer an interesting and varied job in a dedicated professional team and in a dynamic organization with opportunities for innovation. We offer good working conditions and benefit packages. The contract is full-time, and the starting date is April/May 2025 (negotiable). 

If you are interested and meet the requirements, we look forward to receiving your application with CV (max. 3 pages) and cover letter by March 31, 2025, via the Solidar Suisse application

 platform Jobalino

PLEASE APPLY HERE:  Country Representative Ukraine

Please note that our gender policy requires equal representation of men and women within the organization. Therefore, we encourage applications from female candidates.

Job interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis online in April 2025. For shortlisted candidates, a second interview will take place in April/May online/in-person. 

If you have any questions, please contact Katri Hoch, Desk Officer Ukraine ([email protected])