Ukraine Country Director

The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) works in countries around the world on an array of rule of law and legal reform programs. The Country Director (CD) for ABA ROLI’s Ukraine office is responsible for overseeing the effective design and implementation of program activities in Ukraine and ensuring such programs are aligned with the overall mission, vision, and values of ABA ROLI. The CD represents ABA ROLI with the United States Government (USG) and international donors located in Ukraine and provides updates on relevant political and legal developments in the countries, major progress for awarded programs, and impact through tangible monitoring and evaluation data. The CD serves as the primary source of quality assurance for ABA ROLI programming and new business development. Reports to Washington, DC-based Senior Program Manager. Supervises all in-country staff. This position will eventually be based in Kyiv but for the foreseeable future it may be based remotely.

Principal Duties/Job Responsibilities:

Activity Oversight:

·Develops, implements, and enhances program priorities and ensures such programs are aligned with the overall mission, vision, and values of the ABA and ROLI and that they are responsive to local needs.

·Develops realistic monitoring and evaluation plans for the Ukraine portfolio and oversees their use as a tool for tracking and communicating program progress and impact, and for adjusting program strategy based on the data.

Relationship Management:

·Liaises with potential donors, embassies, and private foundations.

·Creates, fosters, nurtures, and expands working relationships with Ukrainian legal leaders and relevant subject matter experts, including representatives of government bodies, civil society, and other stakeholder groups.

·Identifies new funding opportunities from USG and non-USG donors.

·Drafts proposals responsive to the unique legal and political climate of Ukraine.

Operational:

·Participates in or leads the recruiting of short- and long-term experts.

·Mentors and trains staff in the strategic implementation of programs, overall program management, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting.

·Ensures all approved targets and components are effectively resourced to optimize attainment of the objectives.

·Provides leadership, coaching, counseling, development, and, where appropriate, applies discipline, to and through assigned employees.

·Hires and terminates local staff.

Representational:

·Serves as the Power of Attorney holder for ABA ROLI in Ukraine, and performs all acts, makes all declarations, and signs all documents that may be required for the full exercise of the powers granted to him/her as the attorney/representative of ABA ROLI.

·Represents ABA ROLI before all government or municipal authorities, administrative agencies or departments, and courts.

·Files registration documents on behalf of ABA ROLI before any relevant public entity or agency in Ukraine for the purpose of legally carrying out programmatic activities.

·Ensures compliance with ABA and donor policies, practices, procedures, and regulations.

·Accounts for adherence to and compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act [FCPA] and all other relevant business conduct standards.

·Maintains currency of the operational, political, and legal environment within Ukraine and keeps senior management informed of environmental shifts that might positively/negatively impact operations.

Financial/Budgetary:

·Has financial responsibility in his/her home office (functions as approver of all expenditures and serves as signatory on bank accounts), responsibility for financial controls, and contracts/subawards for submission to final signatory.

·Performs quality oversight of financial management, conducting periodic reviews of expenditures for accuracy and reasonableness.

·Creates and recommends operating and capital budget requirements for Ukraine; manages and is accountable for adhering to the ultimately approved budget without degradation of service or mission accountabilities.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Basic Qualifications & Interests (BQIs):

·Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university and at least ten years’ experience in program and/or development activities, one year of which must have been overseas; OR,

·Possession of a Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school or foreign equivalent and at least seven years’ experience in program and/or development activities, one year of which must have been overseas.

·At least three years’ experience supervising a team which must have included providing performance feedback to direct reports.

·Demonstrated experience in engaging with key donor agencies including (USAID, U.S. State Department, UK FCO, DFID, World Bank, UN and others), particularly in managing U.S. Government, USAID, NGO, or other similarly funded international contracts and grants.

·Strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate fluently in English and effectively in either Ukrainian or Russian.

·Previous work experience in an international not-for-profit, association, and/or NGO setting.

·Team player and ability to mentor other staff in developing skills.

·Integrity and adherence to high ethical standards.

·Ability to operate efficiently while juggling multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications & Interests (PQIs)

·Demonstrated field experience in the Europe and Eurasia region, coupled with 10 years of experience delivering international development, rule of law, and human rights promotion projects.

·Experience or knowledge of legal reform and political issues in Ukraine and the region.

·Demonstrated experience in managing international development projects focused on advancing internet freedom, promoting data security, and strengthening online freedom of expression.

·Familiarity with the socio-political context of Ukraine, including an understanding of the challenges to national unity and civic identity. Well-established contacts with youth organizations, vulnerable population associations, minorities groups and local governments would be an asset.

·Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with Ukrainian government entities, academic institutions and other relevant stakeholders.