Country Director, Ukraine

Job title: Country Director, Ukraine
Reporting to: Regional Director
Contract type: Fixed Term Contract

Note: This role is contingent on confirmation of new funding

ABOUT IWPR

Founded in 1991 and operating currently in three dozen countries around the world, the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) is an independent non-profit organisation that supports journalists and civil society to help drive change in countries experiencing conflict, crisis, and transition. Our work includes:

Training and mentoring: IWPR trains and mentors journalists and rights activists to improve their ability to identify and present factual information.
Providing platforms: IWPR helps local talent establish and strengthen media outlets and civic groups.
Removing barriers: IWPR works with partners to remove barriers to free expression and citizen engagement
Strengthening media and civil society: IWPR helps strengthen the ability of media and civil society to speak out.
Empowering societies: IWPR helps societies find their own solutions.
IWPR’s reporting has exposed violations, led to political and legal reform, and improved people’s lives.

PROJECT SUMMARY

IWPR has been active in Ukraine since the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, initially responding to the need for more balanced conflict reporting and improvements in journalists' safety and security skills.  Programming later expanded to include support to a range of anti-corruption and government accountability initiatives fostering collaboration between civil society and the media, supported by both the Norwegian and Netherlands Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, IWPR has expanded its existing programming, prioritising a range of work providing essential support to media and civil society organisations in areas including counter disinformation, documenting war crimes, frontline reporting, as well as our ongoing accountability-focused programming.

IWPR’s recent programming was supported by its long-time partners the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Commission, alongside newer donors and partners such as the FCDO, MATRA and UNESCO. Currently, the Country Director position is contingent to expected US Government funding of the anticorruption program and capacity building of civil society watchdogs and investigative media in Ukraine.

The Country Director position is to provide overall oversight, direction and implementation of IWPR’s  new range of programming, including direct management of specific programmes of work, as well as assist with new business development and growth efforts in Ukraine.

The successful candidate is expected to have strong experience managing and securing large-scale development programmes in Ukraine, an in-depth understanding of media and civil society development activities, and excellent communication skills in English and Ukrainian. The role will be based in Kyiv, Ukraine. The Country Director will report to a Regional Director, while working closely with Ukraine staff.

JOB SUMMARY

The Country Director will provide leadership, management, representational and operational oversight for IWPR’s programmes in-country.  

Responsible for the overall direction and oversight of IWPR’s Ukraine programming, including programmatic and financial management of multiple programmes, ensuring targets are met through timely delivery of activities and services.

Providing oversight and management of programmatic and/or field teams, local staff and international consultants, including partner organisations as required. Leading and coordinating business development activities related to Ukraine alongside IWPR’s central Business Development function. Contributing to strategy development and design.

DAY TO DAY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Facilitate registration and launch of the IWPR’s representative office in Ukraine;
• Support the programmatic and financial management of programmes in Ukraine;
• Manage programmes, sub-grants and sub-contracts;
• Ensure standard operational activities occur on schedule and accurately, with a focus on maintaining data integrity and improving efficiency;
• Define key workflows, detailed procedures, and standard quality controls;
• Lead and support project and management reviews, identifying deficiencies in policies, systems and/or procedures, and developing appropriate solutions;
• Plan, organise, distribute, and coordinate the flow of work;
• Facilitate private sector and public sector cooperation in programmes activities;
• Ensure appropriate evaluation and assessment mechanisms are in place and that M&E is undertaken within programmes according to grant commitments and IWPR strategy, including assessment against IWPR standards, grant requirements and key performance indicators;
• Produce reports, presentations, and other relevant documents;
• Strong financial management and control of programmatic activities, ensuring projects are in compliance with all funder rules, requirements and regulations as well as with IWPR’s internal policies and procedures.

PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT AND REPRESENTATION

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for IWPR’s programmes in Ukraine;
• Lead, support and participate in field assessments for potential new business opportunities. Follow up on self-initiated new business leads at the field level;
• Develop programme needs assessments and support development of funding proposals;
• Represent IWPR with relevant government, donor, NGO and other agencies and personnel and cultivate and strengthen relationships with local partner organisations;
• Promote IWPR programmes, facilitating successful coordination of activities and ensuring transparency.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage assigned operation(s), activities, and staff including local staff;
• Hire, manage, train, lead and advise staff according to IWPR policy and employment regulations, making recommendations concerning employment, performance and other personnel actions;
• Motivate and manage staff according to project targets and their own management style as representatives of IWPR in the field, and provide guidance, support and training as appropriate;
• Provide mentoring to staff in the areas of programmes intervention, methodologies and best practices;
• Recommend, approve and implement operations policies, procedures, and schedules within limits of authority, ensuring all corporate and applicable policies, procedures, and schedules are adhered to and that protocols are followed to assist with the safety of staff and property.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• In-depth knowledge and management of programmatic, compliance and reporting requirements;
• Effective written and verbal communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills to negotiate and work with foreign experts, managers, government and non-government officials, local staff, and target populations;
• Proven innovative programme development and effective donor engagement;
• Effective leadership and management coupled with strong financial management skills;
• Solid computer skills to meet job specific reporting and communication needs;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment both virtually and in person, including with colleagues in different time zones;
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian, written and spoken.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• University level qualification;
• Minimum of five years of progressively greater responsibility in international development programme management, managing programmes in complex environments;
• Experience of working within media and/or civil society and working with foreign donors;
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.