Ukraine Country Representative

Position: Ukraine Country Representative

Subsidiary: Blumont Holdings

Reports to: VP, Business Development

Function: Business Development/Operations

Location: Ukraine

Date: ASAP

BLUMONT INTRODUCTION:

Blumont is a global organization working with communities around the world to help people overcome challenges and create a foundation for progress. Our vision is a world where a community’s future is not determined by its circumstances, but by the aspirations of its people.

Whether delivering lifesaving humanitarian assistance, building the critical infrastructure that stabilizes communities, or creating economic opportunities for individuals and businesses, Blumont teams are committed to making a positive difference in peoples’ lives.

ROLE PURPOSE:

Blumont Inc. is seeking a Ukraine-based dynamic, engaged, and passionate individual to represent the organization in Ukraine as we prepare to support the United States and European government efforts to recover and rebuild the country through critical infrastructure restoration projects.

The Country Representative will have experience supporting the implementation of critical infrastructure projects. Experience supporting enhancing the capacity of the workforce to the meet the critical infrastructure demands within Ukraine will also be considered.

The Country Representative will play a pivotal role in registering, preparing for and positioning Blumont for reconstruction efforts, contributing to the development and stability of Ukraine. This position requires a strategic thinker, effective communicator, and experienced business development professional who can navigate complex environments and deliver results.

S/he will strengthen professional relationships with leading Ukrainian and international technical experts, identify subcontractors, relevant private sector companies, partners, vendors, liaise with government officials, ministries, and agencies, and meet regularly with key clients including, but not limited to, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Department of State, and other multilateral and bilateral donors including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), The World Bank’s Ukraine Recovery Trust Fund (URTF), the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) and the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), among others. This role plays a crucial part in ensuring the successful preparation, planning, partnering, coordination, and future implementation of projects that contribute to reconstruction and development efforts in Ukraine. S/he will work closely and take direction from with our Arlington, VA headquarters.

This position reports to the Vice President of Business Development.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

• Complete in-country registration, open bank accounts, develop relationships with chambers of commerce and business councils
• Build and maintain strong relationships with U.S., Ukrainian and European government agencies, as well as regional and local authorities, community and private sector leaders, and international firms and organizations in Ukraine and the region
• Act as a liaison between Blumont and Ukrainian and international construction and engineering firms, equipment suppliers and vendors, essential service providers, veterans associations, and public and private job training centers
• Support the identification and establishment of partnerships between private sector training organizations/initiatives with the formal training systems focused on critical infrastructure such as technical vocational education and training (TVET) centers to utilize the extensive training network of formal/conventional training systems nationwide
• Establish, cultivate, and maintain relationships with the ecosystem of program stakeholders, including public sector entities, civil society organizations, local governments, donors and implementers, program beneficiaries, and others
• Establish and strengthen relationships with relevant private sector entities to support initiatives to recover and rebuild the country through critical infrastructure restoration projects
• Identify U.S. and European government funding opportunities to support Blumont’s expansion and sustainability in Ukraine
• Coordinate capture trips to maximize strategic relationships, partnerships and staffing
• Represent Blumont with Ukrainian government agencies and authorities
• Provide guidance, content, advice, and actively participate in proposal development efforts, as needed
• Identify qualified candidates for technical, administrative and operational roles for proposals and country office
• Prepare and submit regular written updates and financial reports, ensuring transparency and accountability in spending

QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Project Management, International Development, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in business development, country operations and project management of development projects in Ukraine, with a focus on infrastructure development and post-conflict or challenging environments preferred.
• Proven track record of successfully winning new business, managing country operations and delivering results within scope, time, and budget
• Demonstrable work experience in Ukraine and strong knowledge of Ukrainian political, social, and economic dynamics and experience working in similar contexts
• Demonstrated experience working with international-funded (preferably USG) projects with an extensive network with relevant development organizations and/or relevant private sector organizations preferred
• Excellent written, oral and cross-cultural communication, interpersonal, negotiation, and diplomacy skills, with proficiency in English, Ukrainian and Russian. Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team in a dynamic organizational environment
• Ability to assess risk assessment and mitigate issues effectively in challenging environments
• Demonstrated flexibility and creativity in planning and problem solving
• Demonstrated persistence in developing relationships with key stakeholders and ensuring project deliverables are met
• Proven ability to learn quickly, take initiative, and be accountable for results
• Commitment to respect cultural differences and the ability to work effectively with people from a range of diverse backgrounds and experiences

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Up to 25% in country

EEO Statement:

Blumont is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and company’s achievement as well.

We recognize that diversity, equity and inclusion benefit our company, our clients, and the communities in which we work and live. To that end, we strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.