Consultant – Field Operations Specialist – Lviv, Ukraine

Background:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Purpose / Project Description:

The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in over a mass displacement across Ukraine, including more than 3.2 million refugees outside of Ukraine and up to 6.5 million internally displaced. The circumstances and populations are constantly evolving with the conflict. Mercy Corps has reopened its registration and presence in Ukraine as well as offices/activities to support people in neighboring Poland, Moldova and Romania. This includes partnerships, cash, information as protection and other, emergency response activities in a very fluid environment.

Consultant Objectives:

This Field Operations Specialist is essential to facilitating the next step in our Ukraine strategy and moving our work outside of Lviv and expand the footprint of services Mercy Corps is able to provide. S/he is expected to help operationalize our strategy of moving services out of Lviv, our head office in Ukraine to the more rural and remote cities towards the East. The mandate of the Operations specialist is explicitly to support Mercy Corps determine how we can work under these conflict circumstances.

Consultant Activities and Deliverables:

The Consultant will:

• Travel and assess/plan the logistics and resources required for movement between cities in Ukraine.
• Conduct assessments of routes, potential shelter, and offices and market surveys in the determined cities.
• Follow/understand the opportunities and planning with the UN logistics system.
• Establish transport and journey management procedures for staff and commodities within Ukraine. This includes the coordination with the UNDSS and deconfliction systems in conflict. (this will be coordinated closely with Mercy Corps’ Safety & Security Manager)
• Lead on the design of, and deliver, a fleet management strategy for MC activities, which may include the establishment of fuel depots and self-managed service areas, while mapping of external resources for fuel, spare parts, service providers along relevant routes.
• Lead on the design of, and deliver, a satellite office strategy for low-visibility, involving remotely-managed resources and required local security/watchman staffing requirements.
• Support in the development of remote management tools to support and expand MC’s growing footprint in Ukraine, including areas in the North and East; lead on the deliverable of specific operational tools supporting remote management.
• Participate and support in the design of SOPs for distributions (such as the unloading and storage of commodities, assessments) as well as other program activities in areas of conflict from a logistics perspective.
• Ongoing market assessment in Lviv – a city and market which is constantly evolving – for core program materials. Coordinate closely with the Operations Lead and program teams on evaluating procurement/shipping vs other program modalities.

Timeframe / Schedule:

The specialist is expected to be available and on-ground in Ukraine for at least eight (8) weeks, with a possibility of extension up to twelve (12), based on expanded need or the successful delivery of the above objectives.

Location:

This role will be started in Lviv but will spend most time in field areas which may see fluctuations of security risk and service limitations. The specialist will coordinate closely with the Safety & Security Manager for all movements prior to embarkation.

The Consultant will report to:

Operations Lead – Ukraine Response

The Consultant will work closely with:

Security Manager, Team Lead, Finance, MC Legal Representative.

Required Experience & Skills:

• 5-10 years of experience in relevant technical field
• A minimum of 3 years’ field experience in Operations management, with a preference of experience in high risk-profile geographies
• Demonstrated attention to detail, following procedures, meeting deadlines and working and problem solving independently and cooperatively.
• Excellent English and Ukrainian skills required. Russian language skills are strongly desired.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.