COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE – UKRAINE

Founded in 2007 in France, Libraries Without Borders / Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (LWB/BSF) is one of the leading NGOs working in knowledge and culture-based development in the world and supporting libraries in developing countries. We believe that access to information and the dissemination of culture are two key – yet under-invested – components of human and economic development, and the enforcement of human rights.

BSF achieves this through its 3-pillar approach:

· Innovative tools, to reduce material barriers in access to information & education

· Tailor-made and curated content, to respond to the identified needs of the targeted populations

· Facilitation and training, to maximize impact of the programs and tools

Implementing programs and developing partnerships in over 20 countries, BSF supports local initiatives of libraries creation to promote education, access to information and culture and the conservation of cultural heritage. Through creating and reinforcing libraries, training librarians, donating books when relevant, supporting the local publishing industry, developing library networks and creating innovative programs for the promotion of access to education and information, LWB/BSF actively promotes access to knowledge throughout the world. For more information visit www.bibliosansfrontieres.org

To join us means becoming part of a human-sized, young, dynamic and growing structure and above all, to participate in innovative projects with social impact. Our Human Resources management policy focuses on the career development of our employees (training, collaborative work environment, etc.).

UKRAINE RESPONSE PROGRAM

The Russian invasion of Ukraine led to massive population displacements within the country and in neighbouring countries. The issues of protection, orientation, information and psychosocial support for displaced populations – mainly women and children – are a priority alongside primary needs.

Since March 2022, the Bibliothèques Sans Frontières network in Europe – BSF France, BSF Belgium, BSF Italy and BSF Switzerland – have been mobilized to deploy emergency, reception and integration solutions for Ukrainian refugees in countries bordering Ukraine and since September, in Ukraine.

BSF created Ideas Box Hubs for emergency information, protection and psychosocial support in partnership with local, international, and public organizations. The Ideas Box allowed to quickly deploy safe spaces for children that include psychosocial, educational, cultural and recreational activities. In each Ideas Box, books in Ukrainian, games and applications were selected, as well as digital resources (educational, information, cultural, entertainment videos, websites, applications, etc.) via the offline server.

As part of this response, BSF currently operates 10 Ideas Box through its local partners: 3 in Poland, 2 in Moldova and 5 in Ukraine. In Ukraine, BSF also implements digital learning centers to support displaced children in the continuity of their education as well as adults in their access to learning and information. Moreover, BSF will shortly launch a project on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) through its partnership with the UN office of the Special Representative of Secretary-General on CRSV.

BSF is now looking for a Country Representative in Ukraine to support the development of the organization in this country and to oversee the implementation of ongoing and new programs.

POSITION IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

Under the authority of the Deputy Director of Operations for International Programs, the Country Representative is responsible for the development of BSF in the country. He/she establishes local partnerships and supervises the implementation of operations in country.

MISSIONS

1. Context and stakeholders’ analysis and prospecting

• Analyze the context, issues, and needs in relation to BSF’s mandate and global strategy; analyze the humanitarian response and public educational and social policies in the region and map the actors involved;
• Prioritize contacts with stakeholders: public authorities, companies, foundations, and potential donors for BSF, and respond to incoming requests.

2. Represent BSF in Ukraine

• Is BSF’s legal representative in Ukraine with relevant administrative implications
• Coordinate with local and national authorities to secure humanitarian access and build acceptance
• Represent BSF in relevant coordination spaces and clusters with local authorities, other NGOs and relevant actors
• Contribute actively to BSF’s reach in Ukraine with regards to local and international actors

3. Design of the development strategy, fundraising and partnership follow-up

• Develop and/or validate thematic, geographic, and partnership intervention strategies consistent with the organization’s mandate, vision, and financial capacities, in consultation with the Operations Department and General Management;
• Build relationships with potential financial and operational partners to strengthen existing relations and further develop BSF’s strategy and programs for scale-up and future funding;
• Identify funding opportunities;
• Oversee or develop the response to calls for proposals from donors with the support of the program teams;
• Develop BSF’s network in Ukraine, building links with organizations and institutions and bringing together prominent personalities, friends and supporters of the NGO.

4. Operations management

• Guarantee the quality of operations in the country of intervention;
• Ensure sound budgetary management of projects implemented;
• Ensure budget planning and monitoring of the budget;
• Ensure the feedback and dissemination of information on operations to headquarters and vice versa from headquarters to the field;
• Participate in cross-functional projects led by the Operations Department, aiming to reinforce and model the expected quality standards according to the needs identified.
• Validate reports from financial partners;
• Inform desk at HQ through regular updates and request approvals from HQ whenever necessary;
• Actively contribute to the strengthening of procedures/processes both for programs and in conjunction with other departments (logistics, finance, etc.) in order to comply with donor requirements and ensure compliance with this regulatory and contractual framework in operations;
• Support the updating of compliance and accountability procedures and ensure that these procedures are respected;
• Ensure compliance with local regulations including regular reports to authorities, compliance with tax and labor laws as well as any other regulations applying to NGOs.
• Carry out diagnostic and monitoring missions in the country, as needed.

5. Structuring the BSF Ukraine office

• Ensure, with the support of HQ, the development and implementation of internal procedures and the optimal functioning of the office in the country: set up the HR, administrative, security, logistical and financial procedures of the mission.

6. Security management

• Oversee risk analysis and monitoring of the security environment;
• Oversee the development, review and implementation of mission security plans in coordination with the Director of Logistics & Security and the Deputy Director of International Operations;
• Is responsible for the implementation of the Security Plan & Measures in Ukraine;
• Participate in the crisis management team in the event of a security incident;
• Brief new staff on security context of the country and the mission.

7. Management

• Manage the coordinators and other staff in Ukraine;
• Recruit, onboard, train and supervise new staff;
• Ensure the respect of local labor laws and support the elaboration of HR policies for national staff (including but not limited to salary scale and contract templates).

PROFILE

Education and experience:

You have a higher education degree and significant professional experience in an international position involving high-level representation to international networks, institutional donors and private funders. You have a good understanding of the humanitarian environment, and of international cooperation.

Endowed with great leadership, you have a proven ability to raise funds, drive change, and build support around innovative projects. Recognized for your skills in organizational, transformation and internal structuring, you have experience in mobilizing human, financial, logistical and technical resources.

Agile and with a great workload capacity, you master English at a professional level as well as the office pack and digital tools. Your relational, communication and writing skills are recognized, as well as your team spirit and good humor. You have a great sense of responsibility, are reliable and rigorous with an ability to organize and manage stress and priorities.

Specific Skills and Qualifications:

• Excellent writing and synthesis skills
• In-depth knowledge of public institutions, the private sector and institutional donors and their financing mechanisms
• Mastery of the project cycle
• Administrative and financial management/monitoring of projects and contract management
• Ability to work in sensitive and complex political and security contexts and in a multicultural environment
• Excellent listening, negotiation and communication skills
• Respect for BSF’s values and principles
• Mobility in the field is essential
• Fluency in English. Ukrainian and/or Russian is an asset.

CONDITIONS OF THE POSITION

• Type of contract: Expatriate fixed-term contract (Contrat à Durée Déterminée d’Usage)
• Duration of the contract: 6 months
• Starting date : July 1st, 2023
• Remuneration : According to BSF expatriate salary scale and experience
• Benefits of expatriate contract:
  • Allowance for living expenses
  • Housing allowance
  • Social protection system adapted to expatriation (CFE, complementary health, providence, repatriation assistance and civil liability)

Workplace: Lviv with frequent travel within Ukraine