Country Director H/F Ukraine

Handicap International/Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial international solidarity organization, which intervenes in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflicts and disasters. Working alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, it acts and speaks out to meet their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. More info: www.hi.org 

HI is committed to an employment policy in favour of disabled workers. Let us know if you need any adaptation. 

JOB CONTEXT:  

Since the beginning of the war, HI has set up a two-country program covering Ukraine and Moldova.  

Aligning itself with the priorities of the Ukraine Flash Appeal and Regional Refugee Response Plan, HI pillars of interventions are : 

• Health: HI aims to improve access to quality physical rehabilitation and mental health and psychosocial support services (MHPSS) for conflict-affected vulnerable population.  
• Protection: Given the scale of humanitarian and protection needs, HI intervenes at various levels to ensure that vulnerable conflict-affected populations have access to multi-sectoral services tailored to their needs. In addition, HI aims to foster a disability-inclusive humanitarian response. 
• Armed Violence Reduction: Recent and ongoing attacks dangerously exacerbated Explosive Ordnance (EO) contamination in Ukraine. In light of this, HI is conducting a multi-pronged approach to EO Risk Education and Conflict Preparedness and Protection (CPP), adaptable to the evolution of the conflict and is looking at extending the AVR scope 
• Basic needs: to respond to the most acute needs for displaced households hosted by the local population or living in collective settings, HI is providing hygiene and non-food item kits, with various modalities of intervention including in-kind and/or cash-based transfers.   
• Humanitarian-to-humanitarian logistics (ATLAS Logistique): To facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance as close as possible to the most affected populations, HI proposes mutualized storage and transportation services to other humanitarian actors – with a specific focus on “last-mile transportation”.  

GENERAL INFORMATION  

With a 16M€/year budget and 300staff, the Ukraine’s program is only 2-years old and one of the current goal is to stabilize the structure and operational strategy while increasing our capacity to implement activities in the country. A priority will be given to the East and South East parts of Ukraine which are the most affected by the conflict.  

The security situation remains relatively stable, although there are frequent days and nights of air alerts. However, markets, restaurants and cafes are open and life continues as normal. There is a strict curfew, the hours depend on the region. More recently, the majority of attacks have targeted energy structures, mainly power grid and power plants, which reduces the supply of electricity, water, heating system, and communication networks. 

HI has 3 hubs and the coordination is in Kyiv. HI staff is accommodated in guesthouses, usually near HI offices, restaurants, cafes, shopping centers within walking distance and near a shelter (the shelter is either in the building or easy to reach). 

Movements between sites can be made by car (Hi drivers) or by train, depending of the region and time.  

YOUR MISSION: Under the supervision of the HQ Emergency Manager, you contribute within Ukraine to the implementation of the mandate and the strategy of Humanity & Inclusion. You main responsibilities are:  

• You are the legal representative in the country of the overall HI organization internally and externally, and promotes a high reputation and positive image of HI. You Develop external influence of HI (forums, operational & strategic alliances, etc.) and the external representation of the organization (events, media) in the Programme’s geographical scope 
• By being the top manager of the Programme organization you set up a team spirit and team functioning guaranteeing synergies and exchange of good practices between the different actors in the Programme and with head office colleagues.  
• You deploy HI’s full mandate and 2025 Strategy, with operational partners, institutions and/or donors, and steers organisational transformation in line with Lean, Shared Services and transformation projects.  
• You are responsible for fundraising and resource planning: The Operational Strategy includes a fundraising strategy aligned with HI’s ethical principles and the Institutional Funding Development Plan. 
• With regard to the safeguarding of beneficiaries of HI’s Programmes: respects and ensures respect of institutional policies by the HQ and field staff that you manage 
• With regard to security management: you ensure compliance with institutional safety & security policy and the application of normative frameworks and standard operating procedures  
• You ensure compliance with the budget framework (including unrestricted funds) and HI policies and frameworks (safeguarding, commitment thresholds, security, human resources, risk management, etc.) 
• You actively monitor and analyze context developments, in order to identify risks and opportunities. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION: 

Road conditions sometimes degraded, weather conditions (ice, snow, rain), important traffic jams due to the movement of populations towards the western borders, and other road use behavior (stress, speed, military convoys). Checkpoints on the main roads, and roadblocks at the entrance to villages by soldiers or defense volunteers. 

– Criminality: Degraded economic situation. Conflict: Front line relatively well identifiable geographically; Lack of mapping (constantly changing situation), possible presence of IEDs/landmines difficult to identify/recognize. 

– Health & living conditions: Particularly anxiety-provoking context due to the volatility of the security situation, weapons used, nuclear risks, illegibility of future scenarios, very regular sirens day and night, significant international media coverage involving high demands (personal and professional) on the team. Heavy workload, lack of sleep. Difficult living conditions – base being set-up (housing, food, privacy).

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