Crisis Response Coordinator – Ukraine

Job Summary:

The humanitarian needs in Ukraine are quickly escalating due to significant instability and vulnerability of the Ukrainian population. In response to the crisis, FHI 360 will implement an integrated program that provides life-saving and sustainable activities under health and protection that will meet the critical needs of internally displaced persons and affected communities.

Responsible for leading FHI 360’s humanitarian response efforts in Ukraine. The Response Coordinator is responsible for the overall leadership and management of all aspects of the project, including the supervising programs, operations, security, financial and administrative properties to achieve the project’s objectives and ensure timely delivery of the program. The Response Coordinator will establish and maintain relationships with government officials at the federal, Oblast, and local levels. They will also represent FHI 360 to donors, partners, and other local and international stakeholders. Serving as the head of office, the position will lead personnel, build capacity of direct reports, and ensure that the program meets its target on time, budget, and scope.

Based in Vinnytsia or Dnipro, these duty stations are designated as extreme risk and pose a heightened risk or direct threat to personal safety. However, FHI 360 has implemented mitigation measures and policies to ensure staff safety in coordination with FHI 360 Global Security. Applicants should research these locations and the associated risks before applying. The position is envisioned for an initial 11-month period, with the possibility of extension.

For international staff based in Ukraine, FHI 360 provides a competitive salary, danger pay, premium pay allowance, accommodation, relocation, and regular R&R rotations which includes a roundtrip ticket to designated relief point (or equivalent amount to preferred destination), and a 500 USD lump sum payment.

Accountabilities:

• Ultimately responsible for meeting deliverables throughout the lifetime of the project.
• Assume overall responsibility for all aspects of the humanitarian response including management of programs, personnel, logistics, security, fundraising, external representation and transition planning.
• Provide direct technical input in the development and dissemination of tools, protocols and interventions for programmatic activities.
• Lead the refinement of program implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose appropriate technical strategy and guidance.
• Lead all aspects of quality and consistency of programs through on-site monitoring to ensure and enhance program efficiency and quality.
• Design and develop response and/or regional strategy for expansion of programmatic activities. Lead and coordinate the various sectors to ensure achievement of project objectives and the realignment of program activities as needed.
• Represent FHI 360 and the project as the most senior member of the in-country team to external stakeholders.
• Maintain relationships with host country governments, NGO counterparts and other external stakeholders.
• Develop strong working relationships with contacts in the host government and the donor community through both formal and informal channels.
• Advocate with and/or advise peer agencies, local governments, donors and other stakeholders to influence responses to promote delivery of inclusive and high-quality humanitarian services.
• Supervise and ensure compliance with FHI 360 policy, procedures and practices throughout the program; recommend country or emergency specific policy/procedures as required.
• Coordinate with country office (if applicable) and Headquarters (HQ) to troubleshoot any issues; make recommendations for corrective actions.
• Provides leadership and team building.
• Provides problem-solving and overall supervision of partnership management/support for local partner.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge and application of Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) and Sphere standards and Red Cross/NGO Code of Conduct.
• Experience working with Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and other humanitarian donors preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills and display evidence of good leadership and influencing skills.
• Ability to interact professionally with culturally and linguistically diverse staff and clients.
• English fluency required; fluency in the local language a plus.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and be comfortable participating both as an effective contributor and a listener in group settings which include senior staff.
• Well-organized, resourceful, effective and efficient at coordinating multiple resources to get things done and must have consistent track record of successfully working on multiple tasks at once and foresees and plan around obstacles.
• Demonstrated sensitivity in diverse, cross-cultural settings.
• Demonstrated experience in multi-sector project management and implementation.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Works on problems of complex scope that require analysis and in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
• Erroneous decisions or recommendations may cause critical delays or modifications to projects or operations.
• Ability to exercise judgment that contributes to the organization’s business strategies and develops objectives that align with department’s strategic goals.
• Must be able to provide accurate, expert level advice to reach outcomes that will enable achievement of overall department and organization goals.
• Demonstrates a responsive, professional demeanor that is solution oriented.
• Decisions and actions have a serious impact on the overall success of the function.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Regularly interacts with senior management and HQ based staff.
• Leads by “managing managers” or other direct/indirect reports in the region/functional area.
• Ability to motivate, mentor, and empower individuals to achieve expectations and goals set for the functional unit.
• Provide input on country/project staff performance reviews.
• In coordination with senior management, hire/terminates country/project staff.
• Reports to the Associate Director, Programs and Operations.

Education**:

• Bachelor’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Economics, Education, Environment, Health, Human Development, Information Science, International Development, Social Sciences or Related Field.
• Master’s or other advanced degree preferred.
• Certification in project management preferred!

Experience**:

• Typically requires at least 8 years leading complex on-site emergency response projects and/or programs.
• Experience establishing startup operations/projects in new countries preferred.
• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private company of progressive program management experience in humanitarian assistance or related industry experience in a relevant technical area.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift 5 – 50 lbs.
• Ability to travel to remote field site locations that lack basic essentials.
• Candidate must be in good physical condition and understand that medical care is not readily available at duty station.

Technology to be Used:

• Computer, Microsoft Office 365 (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, e-mail), office telephone, cell phone and printer/copier.

Travel Requirements:

• 50% throughout Ukraine

*Or an equivalent combination of relevant education and/or experience sufficient to successfully perform the key responsibilities of the job.