Country Director over Ukraine

Lifting Hands International (LHI) is a young, dynamic, and resourceful nonprofit focused on providing humanitarian aid to refugees around the globe, with permanent projects in the United States, Greece, Jordan, Moldova, and Ukraine and active partnerships in a dozen other countries.

In Ukraine, LHI has been providing humanitarian aid through close collaboration with local partners since the early days of the war. Our quick response, generous supporters, and selfless partners have resulted in several dozen projects, evacuating thousands from war zones, distributing 2,500+ tons of aid, and providing tens of thousands of hot meals to those in need.

In recent months, our focus in Ukraine has been three-fold: 1) Getting critical aid to frontline areas, 2) extending capacity building support to local, Ukrainian NGOs and leveraging these partnerships to build a coalition of operating centers throughout Ukraine, and 3) supporting shelter, integration, and psychosocial support services for refugees in Western Ukraine and in surrounding countries (e.g. Poland, Hungary, Moldova).

A new position for LHI, the Country Director over Ukraine will be the main point person helping to shepherd and structure LHI activities in Ukraine for the coming 6-12 months. The Country Director will work closely with LHI’s Senior Operations team to supervise our operations in Ukraine; build and manage relationships with stakeholders throughout the country; triage and assess LHI funding opportunities; and ensure proper oversight and support is in place for LHI-funded projects.

This position presents a golden opportunity for a humanitarian professional to make a large impact at a young and growing nonprofit, specifically in the context of providing urgent aid and support to those affected by the current war in Ukraine.

Core Responsibilities

Operations and Program Management (40%)

• Providing operational support to ongoing LHI programs in Ukraine and the surrounding region.
• Overseeing the funding of projects implemented by local partners.
• Helping determine how we balance our portfolio of projects and partners. Also, helping to assess, triage, and prioritize new opportunities.
• Meeting (virtually) weekly or every other week with LHI operating centers to monitor program activities, oversee use of funds, and facilitate collaboration within our coalition of partners.
• Encouraging and coordinating the provision of capacity-building services for our coalition of operating centers, including assistance with data collection, grant writing, and reporting.
• Periodically visiting LHI operating centers and LHI-funded activities throughout Ukraine and the surrounding region.
• Empowering our partners and grant recipients to innovate and improve programs while staying within the bounds of our strategic plan.

Monitoring and Reporting (40%)

• Assisting LHI senior management in planning, implementing, and regularly reviewing a comprehensive strategic plan and monitoring and evaluation strategy for LHI in Ukraine.
• Collecting and compiling regular reports from LHI partners and grant recipients, including impact metrics, financial reports, and media documenting LHI-sponsored activities.
• Helping with the grant application process, including strategy, budgeting, tracking, and reporting.
• Organizing records relevant to LHI activities in Ukraine; implementing data hygiene measures to guarantee proper storage and organization of digital materials.
• Regularly meeting (virtually) with LHI senior management in the United States to work through operational challenges, to improve services, and to identify opportunities to increase impact.

Relationship Management (20%)

• Continuing and deepening relationships with external partners, such as peer organizations, initiative groups, and humanitarian networks.
• Developing new relationships with potential partners or grant recipients, local service providers, and other actors engaged in humanitarian efforts within Ukraine.
• Collaborating with LHI senior management to help frame periodic fundraising campaigns focused on the most pressing needs and priorities facing Ukrainians.
• Exploring new opportunities for LHI in Ukraine, such as the formation of long-term psychosocial support programs, efforts to assist with IDP integration, vocational training, or income-generating activities.

Essential Qualifications:

• Minimum 6 month commitment (ideal would be 12+ months), must be able to live in Ukraine or a neighboring country (e.g. Poland or Moldova) for the full period.
• Fluent English speaker
• Fluent speaker of either Ukrainian or Russian (ideally both)
• At least 3 years experience in a leadership or management role
• At least 1 year of experience working in Ukraine or surrounding area
• University degree(s) in a field related to the position
• International drivers license
• Strong interpersonal and management skills; comfortable engaging a broad range of stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills; capable of staying on task and meeting deadlines
• Strong report writing skills (a writing sample may be requested)
• Proactive and able to work independently without close supervision
• Passionate about LHI’s mission to help refugees achieve stability and self-sufficiency

Desired Qualifications:

• Prior experience in refugee services or similar context
• Relevant graduate degree(s) in a related field
• Experience living and working in Ukraine
• Experience in project development, aid logistics, psycho-social support, informal education programming, strategic planning, impact monitoring and evaluation, or budget tracking

Further Details:

The position will start at a mutually agreed upon date, ideally in October, with a two-month probationary period. The starting pay will be 3000 EUR per month. The Country Director will arrange their own housing in Ukraine or a neighboring country.