General purpose of the position:  

The Country Representative (CR) provides strategic leadership, security oversight, and operational management for VIS in Ukraine. S/he represents VIS with all key stakeholders, ensures the delivery of high-quality, impactful programs, leads the in-country team, oversees financial and operational accountability, and ensures safety and duty of care for all staff.

Main responsibilities and tasks:  

• Coordinate and ensure the smooth running of VIS activities in Ukraine, through the management of projects, VIS staff, work premises, accommodation and transport, ensuring compliance with security procedures.  

• Improve the effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of the VIS interventions in favor of the target groups and in the areas of interest according to the VIS General Strategic Planning and the Country Strategic Annual Planning. 

• Play a key role in building and maintaining strong relationships—with the Salesian counterpart, donors, humanitarian clusters, and other international partners—ensuring VIS remains well-connected and aligned with the country strategy. At the same time, S/he will actively promote the localization agenda by supporting local partners through capacity assessments and tailored training, helping them grow and take on a bigger role in delivering impactful and sustainable programs. Identify new fundraising opportunities to strengthen and further develop VIS mission and programs in Ukraine.  

• Identify, formulate and present new project proposals in collaboration with the Programme Coordination Unit and the Planning and Control Unit.  

• Represent VIS in all the appropriate forums, ensuring compliance with the laws in force in Ukraine.  

• Supervise the Program/Project Managers to plan project objectives and priorities in line with VIS strategic direction, identifying humanitarian needs, analyzing contextual and humanitarian issues, risks, constraints, and determining human and financial resource requirements.  

• Supervise the project implementation, review the formulation of key documents,  and ensure the delivery of quality and timely reports to the donor and the program implementation in accordance with the established timetable.  

• Supervise internal staff and coordinate with partners, donors, and stakeholders, ensuring excellent collaboration and results.  

• Supervise the identification of financial commitments necessary for project completion, respecting donor guidelines.  

• Plan and monitor the mission expenditures to ensure they are in line with VIS and donor guidelines for accounting and financial reporting practices.  

• Oversee the collection of supporting documents for expenditure and ensure compliance with donor guidelines.  

• Supervise interim and final narrative and financial reporting, ensuring compliance with donor guidelines.  

• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders and represent VIS in relevant meetings and forums in order to facilitate and maximize the coordination and visibility of the organization’s action.  

• Ensures that staff receive appropriate and adequate training by promoting capacity building for local staff.  

• Act as the primary Security Focal Point for VIS in Ukraine, accountable for staff safety and mission continuity and develop, implement, and update the VIS Ukraine Security Plan, SOPs, and Contingency Plans, in close coordination with the Security Officer and the HQ Security Advisor.
• Ensure staff receive regular security briefings and training tailored to operational contexts and lead incident management, emergency response, and staff evacuation procedures as needed.
• Maintain regular liaison with INSO, UNDSS, local authorities, and relevant security platforms.

Requirements 

• Master’s degree in a relevant subject such as Political Sciences, International Relations, Humanitarian and International Cooperation Management, Development studies or related fields; 

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in management of humanitarian project/program, including financial management and logistics responsibilities. Minimum 3-year experience in complex emergency settings and insecure countries; 

• Knowledge of Humanitarian Essentials, Sphere and Humanitarian Accountability Partnership (HAP) Standards and other international humanitarian guidelines and protocols. Advanced planning, assessment, and analytical skills. Good report and proposal writing skills; 

• Excellent knowledge of English (spoken and written). Good knowledge of Italian (spoken and written) is also an asset; 

• Analytical thinking, analysis capacity. Strong interpersonal skills: communication, diplomatic skills, and problem-solving. 

To apply, fill out the form specifying the role: 3418 _Country Representative Ukraine 

CV, motivation letter and References (at least 2 contacts) are required. 

Deadline for sending applications: 06/08/2025

Only those profiles that meet the requirements will be contacted. 

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Il processo di selezione si basa su criteri non discriminatori, per cui i candidati vengono selezionati senza alcuna distinzione di etnia, genere, orientamento politico e sessuale, religione, opinioni personali.

Il VIS applica il principio di tolleranza zero per qualsiasi tipo di abuso, sfruttamento o violenza contro bambini e bambine, adolescenti, giovani adulti e adulti e/o altri comportamenti non rispettosi della dignità umana, da parte del proprio personale, del personale partner o di altro personale associato alla ONG.