Project Development Manager / Program Development Manager in Chemonics International Inc. / UCBI

Project information

Project "Building Public Trust" (UCBI - 4) of the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is designed to promote a united, democratic and Europe for the recovery of Ukraine from the consequences of the Russian invasion. This goal will be achieved through three initial tasks: 1. Strengthening the transparency and accessibility of recovery processes that reflect local priorities in the most war-affected regions. 2. Strengthening ties between the territories temporarily occupied by Russia and other parts of Ukraine.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Responsible for project development, identification of various partnerships and technical implementation supervision projects within the defined geographical area. Under the leadership of the Deputy Director of the Project, Program (DCOP-P) or Group Leader (TL), SPDM and the Deputy Representative of the OTI in the country (DCR) of the PDM based on the results of the rapid assessment and according to the strategic framework, UCBI will attract partners to develop projects with a high probability of achieving an effect that correspond to the current socio-political situations.
• Critically analyzes and discusses ideas, concepts and partnerships regarding technical excellence, innovation, strategic relevance, consistency, risk and security.
• In coordination with other staff, provides grantees, subcontractors and technical assistance and mentoring support to potential partners during project preparation and implementation.
• Monitors and reports on the situation (new trends, news and events) in context political, social, cultural and economic dynamics affecting the project portfolio.
• Informs the SPDM about the development of the political, legal and economic situation on the ground and the impact of changes on UCBI activities and relationships.
• Actively interacts and coordinates work with other teams and colleagues from the Grants, Procurement, and Operations departments to ensure effective communications, joint planning, and constructive relationships.
• Monitors work, provides mentoring support and training Project Development Assistants (PDAs) to develop ideas and activities at all stages of the project cycle.
• Provides PDA mentoring support on effective management, communications and relationship development strategies.
• li>Provides mentoring support, trains and effectively manages Project Development Assistants (PDAs) to ensure timely and complete completion of required tasks. Provides real-time feedback, regularly discusses professional development needs and makes plans to meet those needs.
• Duty of caring and encouraging team members to use their vacation time, ensuring employees are aware of resources available to them and their families, and promoting their use.
• Responsible for createdfostering an atmosphere of empathy and compassion, in which an important place is given to the balance between work and personal life and the desire for personal and family psychological well-being.
• Contributes to opportunities for learning and gaining knowledge from other team members and departments, as well as relevant experts and partners to improve project innovation and quality and ensure the use of best practices.
• Contributes to learning that drives portfolio innovation projects.
• Communicates and meets deadlines agreed between SPDM and Grants, Procurement and Operations colleagues.
• Participates in the preparation of timely, high-quality, thoughtful contributions to UCBI communication outputs , in particular to Semi-Annual Reports, Success Stories, Situational Analyzes.
• Contributes to the provision of timely and accurate input monitoring data, evaluation and learning (MEL) within a defined geographic area.
• Ensures that all SharePoint (SP) and Web-Based Database (WBDB) inputs (files, reports, deliverables, and project notes) are generated, named and stored according to project guidelines.
• Responsible for ensuring regular updates of project files in SharePoint and WBDB to facilitate the closeout process.
• Uses and maintains WBDB during the UCBI Project Cycle as directed.
• Travels as needed for meetings and visits to program sites to facilitate effective program development and implementation.
• As needed The PDM may perform special tasks and duties assigned to him/her by the SPDM to ensure the overall effective development of program activities.

Qualification

• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Two (2) to three (3) years of experience working on complex field programs preferred.
• Confirmed preferred experience working with USAID grant programs (ideally - OTI).
• At least one (1) year of experience in a managerial position is preferred.
• Ability/willingness to travel to locations, in which UCBI works.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities and understanding of the local, regional and national political context are mandatory, as well as the ability to think creatively when conceptualizing relevant grant projects.
• Developed organizational, managerial skills and communication skills, preferably in terms of report writing, monitoring and evaluation.
• Mandatory confirmed knowledge of local and foreign non-governmental organizations and organizations at the level of communities that implement relevant projects and programs in the country, as well as the main government actors and stakeholders, with an up-to-date understanding and knowledge of the political environment and social conditions in the country.
• Mandatory experience of working with local organizations in the implementation projects with community involvement and consensus-type projects.
• Mandatory ability to demonstrate in practice the successful experience of applying all of the above-mentioned key competencies.
• Willingnessny work experience in the Kimonix company.
• Compulsory fluency in the Ukrainian language - in oral and written form.
• Compulsory mastery of the English language - in oral and written form.< /li>
• For conscripts, the military ticket must contain a note on military service account.

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Program Description

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) Ukraine Confidence Building Initiative 4 (UCBI 4) aims to support advancing Ukraine's unified, democratic, and Europe-oriented recovery from Russia's invasion. This goal will be met through three program objectives: 1. To strengthen transparent, accessible recovery processes in frontline and liberated areas that reflect local priorities; 2. To strengthen nonviolent civic action and connections in Russian-controlled areas with the rest of Ukraine; and 3. To empower civic engagement in frontline and liberated communities to contribute to community resilience and shaping a better future.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing activities, identifying diverse partnerships and overseeing the technical implementation of activities within a designated geographic area. Under the guidance of the Deputy Chief of Party - Programs (DCOP-P) or Team Leader (TL), SPDM and OTI Deputy Country Representative (DCR) the PDM will engage partners to develop activities in line with the UCBI strategic framework and rapid assessment results which have a high likelihood of achieving impact and respond to the current social and political situation.
• Critically analyze and interrogate ideas, concepts, and partnerships for technical excellence, innovation, strategic relevance, coherence, risk and security.
• Provide technical assistance and mentorship to grantees, subcontractors, and potential partners during activity preparation and implementation in coordination with other staff.   
• Monitor and report on atmospherics (emerging trends, news, and developments) that relate to the political, social, cultural, and economic dynamics within the portfolio.
• Advise the SPDM on the evolution of the local political, legal, and economic situation and on how changes impact UCBI activities and relationships.
• Actively engage and coordinate with other teams and grants, procurement and operations colleagues ensuring effective communication, collaborative planning and constructive relationships.
• Supervise, mentor and train PDAs to develop ideas and activities at all stages of the activity cycle.
• Mentor PDAs in effective management, communication and relationship development strategies.
• Mentors, coaches, and influencersvely manages Program Development Assistants (PDAs) to ensure required tasks are completed in a timely and complete manner. Feedback will be provided in real time, and professional development needs regularly discussed, and plans put in place to achieve those needs.  
• Duty of care responsibilities ensuring team members are encouraged to use their leave and are aware of, and supported to use staff care resources available to them and their families.
• Responsible for creating a climate of empathy and compassion that places a high premium on work-life balance and the pursuit of individual and family mental health.
• Seek out knowledge and learning opportunities from other team members and departments as well as subject matter experts and partners to deepen innovation and excellence in activities and ensure best practices are realized.
• Pursue learning that ensures innovation within portfolio.
• Communicate and adhere to deadlines as agreed with the SPDM and grants, procurement and operations colleagues.
• Contribute to timely, high-quality, thoughtful contributions to UCBI communications deliverables including, but not limited to, Semi-Annual Reports, Success Stories, Case Studies.
• Contribute to accurate and timely MEL inputs within given geography.
• Ensure all SharePoint (SP) and Web-Based Database (WBDB) inputs (files, reports, deliverables, and activity notes) are generated, named and stored per project guidelines.
• Responsible for ensuring that activity files on SharePoint and in the WBDB are updated on an iterative basis to ease closeout burden. 
• Use and maintain WBDB per guidelines in the UCBI Activity Cycle.
• Travel as required to program site visits and meetings to facilitate effective program development and implementation.  
• As needs dictate, the PDM may assign ad hoc special tasks and duties to the PDA to ensure the overall efficient development of program activities. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Two (2) to three (3) years professional experience on complex field programs preferred.
• Proven experience working with USAID grants programs, ideally with OTI, preferred.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory experience preferred.
• Ability/willingness to travel to locations where UCBI works.
• Demonstrated analytical ability and understanding of local, regional, and national political context, with the ability to think creatively in conceptualizing relevant grant activities required. 
• Strong organizational, management, and communication skills, preferably with respect to report writing and monitoring and evaluation. 
• Proven knowledge of local and international NGOs and community-based organizations implementing relevant activities and programs in country, as well as key governmental actors and stakeholders, with an up-to-date understanding and knowledge of the political environment and social conditions in the country required. 
• Experience working with local organizations to implement community participation and consensus-type activities required. 
• Ability to practically demonstrate successful experience with all the core competencies listed above required.
• Prior work experience with Chemonics desirable.
• Fluent written and oral Ukrainian required.
• Proficient written and oral English required.
• For conscripts, a note on military registration in the military ticket is required.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: 

 Send electronic submissions to UKR-UCBI4-Recruit@ukrainecbi.com by January 6, 2025. Please insert the position you are applying for “Program Development Manager” in the subject line and include your CV and a cover letter/statement of interest explaining interest in and qualifications for the job. Please specify the region you are applying for (North East, South, National). No telephone inquiries, please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, early applications are encouraged. For more information, please visit www.chemonics.com.  

“Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.”