Project Officer

Position Summary and Purpose: Under the supervision of the Program Manager, the Project Officer supports the implementation of IOCC’s program activities in Ukraine. The Project Officer serves as the day-to-day focal point for IOCC’s activities, including liaising with IOCC office staff, beneficiaries, and local partners. This position is responsible for the execution of project activities, analysis of data collected, reporting, and working with IOCC local partners to ensure field operations are consistent with IOCC procedures and regulations.

Country Overview: In Ukraine, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and its local partners are implementing several projects under the “Ukraine Response Program”, assisting the IDPs. IOCC’s current key sectors of focus are Health & Nutrition, Water-Sanitation-Hygiene (WASH), shelter and Protection and will be addressing needs in other sectors as appropriate. By pursuing these program areas, IOCC supports both refugees and local populations, and helps to tackle the problems and to improve lives long term.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

1. Project and Budget Implementation: leads the day-to-day execution and monitoring of field projects in accordance with IOCC and donor regulations, grant agreements and modifications. Ensure that project activities operate within approved budget(s) and carefully monitor expenditures in coordination with project timelines.
2. Program Reporting and Improvements: prepares accurate and timely reports for donors and IOCC HQ. Assesses needs and suggest areas of intervention and shares innovative methods with partners.
3. Meeting and Task Force Participation: attends relevant meetings as well as forums to foster and enhance collaboration. Identifies new and improved program approaches, methods and ideas. Plays an active role in task forces. Works closely with partners and key stakeholders on program initiatives. Participates in technical working groups as appropriate to provide strategic and technical support for the implementation plan of action.
4. Project Documentation: support Program Manager in maintaining and verifying project files, both programmatic and financial, ensuring proper documentation and compliance with donor and HQ reporting requirements and taking steps to address problems with data quality, if identified.
5. Procurement Support: works closely with Program Manager, and other relevant staff on implementation of project-related procurements, including selection of appropriate suppliers and contractors, ensuring good procurement practices are followed, and alignment of actions with IOCC and donor requirements.
6. Representation: under the direction of Program Manager, represents IOCC in assigned coordination/working groups, forums, and meetings with external stakeholders and organizes visits with donors, IOCC staff, and other guests and visitors to project sites.
7. Business Development: supports the Program Manager in the preparation of concept notes and the proposal development process from concept inception through submission, including writing and budgeting and coordination with IOCC HQ Operations team, as outlined in IOCC Business Development Policy.
8. Financial Management: in coordination with the Accountant and Regional Finance Manager, attends regular budget vs. actual (expenditure) review meetings with appropriate project staff.
9. IOCC Employee Expectations: maintains familiarity with IOCC policies and procedures, and positively encourages staff to abide and comply.
10. Security Expectations: ensures that all project activities are aligned with IOCC Safety & Security Plan and donor safety and security procedures.

Minimally Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Country Specific Technical Sectors Areas: Understanding of the assigned country’s technical sectors: Health & Nutrition, Water-Sanitation-Hygiene (WASH), Shelter and Protection.
• Negotiation and Influencing: Ability to negotiate and influence others at all levels within the organization.
• Languages: Advanced writing and speaking skills using local language (Ukrainian) and advanced for English language, especially in training and report writing.
• Software Applications: Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, database and internet applications.
• Communication: Advanced oral and written communication skills using different forms of media. Ability to translate complex concepts to individuals at all levels.
• Organization, Planning and Multi-tasking: Advanced organizational and planning skills. Proven ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and multi-task with minimal supervision. Proven ability to coordinate activities.
• Self-Management and Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as a member of the team, ability to be detailed-oriented and consistently accurate, ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-paced environment, and ability to quickly learn new systems, processes and procedures.
• Matrix Management: Ability to thrive in a matrixed organization.
• Confidentiality: Proven ability to maintain confidentiality on work-related issues.

Minimally Required Education, Experience, and Training:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in international development or affairs, political science, or a related field; or a combination of education and work experience that yields the minimally required knowledge, skills and abilities
• 2 years of experience working in international relief and development programs

Physical Requirements and Working Environment:

• Travel required: 60% or more within the country
• Sits talking on the phone for long periods of time
• This position may require bending, kneeling, crawling, standing, sitting, lifting up to 20 lbs and walking for extended periods of time.
• Standard office environment; mostly sedentary position.
• Frequently works in an office environment and sits at a desk for extended periods of time, and requires dexterity to operate general office equipment
• Infrequent weekend and evening work may be required.