Programmes Implementation Director

Location: Kyiv, with frequent field trips and visiting/working in the field offices

Starting date: asap

Contract duration: 1 year with possible extension

Country: Ukraine

Line Manager: Country Director

Background:

People in Need (PIN) is a Czech Republic-based NGO globally working in the relief and development sectors. PIN has been active in Ukraine since early August 2014 and the humanitarian program has been rapidly expanding since then.

Responsibilities:

The Programmes Implementation Director (PID) supervises the implementation of entire programme portfolio. To do so, the PID is responsible for defining programmes implementation strategies and planning on the basis of the overall Country Strategy, in close cooperation with Deputy Country Director for Programmes Quality (DCDPQ), including formulation of new project proposals and continuous improvement of programmes implementation. he PID supports Country Director and DCDPQ in donors’ and partners’ representation, ensuring that PIN is recognized for its field experience and models of action. The PID cooperates closely with Deputy Country Director for Systems and Operations to contribute to continues improvement of support processes, and with Head of Communication and Advocacy Department to generate evidence and formulate key messages to influence the positive changes. Internally, the PID contributes to a positive working environment for programme staff and ensures that Safeguarding is integrated in programming.

Internal relations:

The PID reports directly to the Country Director who provides direction and general supervision. The PID serves as the line manager for Region Director – East, Region Director – West, and works closely with the DCPQ, DCDSO, Grants Manager, Security and Access Manager, Head of Communication and Advocacy Department, and HQ Desk Officers.

External relations:

In coordination with the Country Director, PID supports DCDPQ with donors’ engagements, participates in the meetings with government partners, international organisations, local and national partners, regional and local authorities, other agencies, clusters, coordination bodies, etc.

Specific duties and responsibilities:

Strategic planning and Senior Management:

• Assist the Country Director in the management of the Country programme and participate in senior management meetings and strategic decision making;
• Lead the programme implementation side of the development and roll-out of the Country Strategy;
• Contributes to long-term country programme strategies for recovery phase, utilizing evidence to promote sustainable post-conflict recovery programming
• Ensure that the overall programme is designed, managed and implemented in conformity to People in Need’s policies, strategy and guidelines and appropriate to programme needs;
• Support the development of an organizational culture that reflects PIN’s values, promotes accountability, safeguarding, and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up people to deliver outstanding.

Portfolio management:

• Ensure effective and quality management of PIN’s programme implementation through line management of East and West Region Directors, oversight of key processes and indicators, and internal reporting;
• Ensure that all programmes have sound implementation strategies and work plans;
• Ensure that projects meet high standards in terms of implementation, and support DCD for Programme Quality and Technical Leads in ensuring that minimum technical standards are in place;
• Ensure humanitarian principles, conflict sensitivity, gender, protection and inclusion, environmental sustainability other cross-cutting themes as relevant are followed, and mainstreamed in all programmes, as well as the programme strategic plans;
• In cooperation with Region Directors, anticipate and mitigate risks and implementation delays and provide ad-hoc support through trouble shooting and addressing identified bottlenecks;
• In cooperation with DCD for Programme Quality, timely identify and determine the need for Technical Leads and/or HQ Knowledge and Learning Department Advisors’ support and involve new expertise as required to support Region Directors, Area Managers, and other line managed teams in various phases of the Project Cycle Management;
• Cooperate closely with the Grants and Reporting unit to ensure timely and adequate information exchange for grants’ tracking, proposal development, donor liaison, and for contributions to audits;
• Ensure timely and high-quality contribution to reporting to donors and HQ from implementation teams;
• Ensure effective cooperation with the MEAL Unit to support an adequate monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning system, and good practices, as well as supports timely implementation of recommendations developed;
• Coordinate with Communication and Advocacy team for the identification of issues for evidence building to contribute to comms-advocacy strategy;

Programme Development:

• Network with a range of existing and potential partners and stakeholders in view of PIN programme strategy, in close coordination with the CD, DCDPQ and Comms& Advocacy Department;
• Identify strategic entry points and approaches, and work with others to develop relevant models of action to rapidly scale-up and respond to the current crisis; participate in relevant working groups, networks and internal and external initiatives on the matter;
• Initiate or contribute to new partnership development through strategic guidance and oversight of the process of partnership development, with due guidance on INGO approaches to supporting local civil society as well as humanitarian principles;
• Contribute to strategic guidance and provide inputs for developing funding strategies in line with the programme goals;
• Contribute to the principled and streamlined process of proposal development, through early identification of needs and possible response strategies, participation in Go-No Go decision-making with management team, proposal development support;
• Within the framework of the proposal development process coordinated by the Grants & Reporting Manager, actively contribute content into new proposals, collaboratively working with the Region Director -West and Region Director – East, Area Managers, partners, and other team members involved, within existing PIN programme and in line with PIN strategy and Lessons Learned, and PIN Relief and Development Department strategy, and with due guidance on Conflict Sensitivity, Gender and Protection mainstreaming (and other cross-cutting issues as appropriate).

Learning and information sharing:

• Contribute to sharing of experiences, lessons learned, and good practice across sites and from other PIN country programs and promotion of learning from relevant best practices internally and externally;
• Ensure that all official program documentation is properly stored and available for the future.
• Ensure a smooth coordination and communication among the program staff and between the program and support staff
• Ensure a collaborative work between the different program’s units

Team management:

• In cooperation with the Country Director and Senior Management Team as appropriate, ensure the sound development of the Programme implementation team’s structure and staffing in view of the programme strategy and portfolio development, including scaling – up the capacity as appropriate for the emergency response;
• Directly manage a diversified pool of national and international staff; ensure solid Performance Management and recommendations for capacity building;
• Lead the recruitment of key programme implementation staff as line manager, and validate other recruitments of programme staff with due respect of high-quality standards and fair and unbiased procedures;
• Ensure team collaborative work and exchange of experience across the Programme structure; directly facilitate team work among line-managed staff and units, and recommend and ensure that team work and integrated approaches are streamlined in different levels and with other units such as Comms & Advocacy.

Representation, communications & networking:

• Support the Country Director and coordinates with DCDPQ to ensure that PIN is well represented in all key coordination fora, the donor community, among key stakeholders and partners, delegating as appropriate to programme implementation staff;
• Help establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with local authorities, donors, partner agencies including major institutional donors, international NGO, and the local civil society actors.

Security situation in Ukraine

• Humanitarian workers continue to operate throughout Ukraine, despite the occasional shelling, which has intensified since 10 October 2022. However, PIN security SOPs require PIN staff to proceed to shelter each time during an air raid siren and remain there until the air raid siren is cancelled, which cumulatively can be several times a week for several hours a day. Air strikes have mostly targeted energy-related infrastructure, resulting in frequent power outages and occasionally water supply disruptions throughout Kyiv, affecting the living conditions of PIN staff in the city. However, most services such as medical care, shops, public transportation as well as restaurants or leisure facilities remain operational.
• The employee is expected to be able to travel to other PIN offices and other locations where PIN is conducting activities, however all travel must first be pre-approved by PIN security department. The employee must comply with all PIN security department SOPs and other relevant instructions.
• This position is an unaccompanied position and team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and PIN’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Requirements:

• Solid leadership and staff management skills, with a record of managing large, diverse teams and contributing to the capacity building to national and international staff
• Experience in early recovery and development and humanitarian programming, preferably in the region
• University degree in relevant field
• Understanding of the nexus and experience in its implementation
• Proven track in leading the organization through change/ transition
• Excellent networking, partnership building and representation skills
• Experience in management, fundraising, project development, donor liaison
• Knowledge of institutional donor environment and experience with donor relations, proposal development, strategic programme planning and external communications
• Experience with strategic program planning, project cycle management, knowledge of the institutional donor environment, including the EC, ECHO, DFID, USAID, UNICEF etc.
• Familiarity with the conflicts’ settings
• Technical expertise within one of the strategic sectors will be an advantage (locally-led development, civil society strengthening, social protection and inclusion).
• Excellent communication skills, excellent spoken and written English
• Knowledge of Russian or Ukrainian is a preference
• Dynamic and result-oriented with ability to organize and plan effectively, responsible and systematic
• Reliable and self-reliant personality with responsible and systematic approach to work
• Critical analysis and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in difficult conditions and under pressure
• Cultural sensitivity
• Strong ability and willingness to transfer knowledge
• Willing to travel within the country
• Reliable and self-reliant

What we Offer:

• Work experience with professional and largest NGO in Central-Eastern Europe;
• Flexible and challenging working environment with room for personal growth;
• Starting salary defined by PIN salary scale ( 2800 – 3350 EUR super gross);
• 1350 EUR subsistence allowance;
• 400 EUR hardship allowance
• Accommodation allowance;
• RnR policy
• Robust and thorough online induction training (2 weeks);
• 25 days of paid leave annually;
• Reimbursement of travel expenses with travel to the country of residence once per every 6 months of completed work;
• Reimbursement of costs of visas and vaccinations; assistance with visa application procedure;
• Free medical helpdesk and psychological consultation available online;
• Travel health insurance provided;
• E-learning courses, webinars, training possibilities