Consultant – Operations Startup Specialist – 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 Operations Startup Specialist Consultancy is the first step at moving from an emergency team to reliable systems inside Ukraine. The capital city of Kyiv is currently inaccessible and non-functioning due to the conflict. Therefore, the infrastructure of humanitarian, development and diplomacy have moved to the (safer) city of Lviv – the location of the Mercy Corps main office and most coordination mechanisms. Mercy Corps is setting up our office and essential operational activities quickly so that program operations can move. To do this, an ability to speak the Ukrainian or Russian language as well as a familiarity of Mercy Corps procedures is essential for a quick and efficient start. S/he must expect a market and normal government services that are shuttered or only partially functioning. This role must anticipate limited supply chains and resources that are focused on a swell of internally displaced. S/he must expect they will navigate bureaucracies and other hurdles.

This role is expected to jump-start core activities so that an office in Lviv is functional and on a path towards efficiency to meet our program support needs.

Consultant Activities & Deliverables:

The Consultant will:

• Support in the identification of office and guesthouse space, negotiated secured and paid for – for up to 6-12 months.
• Office is equipped with the basic amenities and functional.
• A process for hiring drivers / rental cars, translators and enumerators is established. A small, core team is in place with the appropriate paperwork, Scopes of work and filing / payment system.
• Support in the Russian/Ukrainian language recruitment of Operations and/or Programmatic staff to be based in Lviv. Supporting Human Resources for screening of candidates and making relevant calls.
• Supporting in the account creation and management for local position advertisements on job-recruiting boards in Ukraine.
• Preferred suppliers are explored and managed in a database, with contracts and agreements to the extent possible (office and staffing related agreements).
  • This should include a hotel for visitors and surges in staffing.
• Establish SOPs for border crossings from Poland, Romania and to Lviv (in coordination with the Security Manager).
• A cashier is hired and trained on the basics of petty cash management. A safe and cash box is procured. Coordination with International Finance to establish a basic process of handling cash in country for office purposes.
• An Admin Officer in Lviv is hired and basic orientation done. S/he will receive follow-up support to MC systems by the Operations Lead.
• This role must navigate MC’s Field Procurement Policies & Procedures (FP3) and other internal MC Finance, Logistics, and Human Resources processes to achieve these goals.

Timeframe / Schedule:

The specialist is expected to be available and on-ground in Ukraine for at least four (4) weeks, with a possibility of extension up to six (6), based on expanded need or the successful delivery of the above objectives.

Location:

This role will be started in Lviv, western Ukraine. Lviv presently affords a relatively safe security profile in comparison to other locations in Ukraine, however the security situation remains fluid.

The Consultant will report to:

The consultant will be managed by the 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 (required)
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in Operations management, with a preference of experience in the CIS region.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, following procedures, meeting deadlines and working and problem solving independently and cooperatively.
• Excellent English and Russian skills required. Ukrainian 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.