Country Director – Ukraine (International)

Mission

In situations of armed conflict, Geneva Call, as a neutral, impartial and independent international humanitarian organization, endeavours to strengthen the respect of humanitarian norms and principles by armed groups and de facto authorities, in order to improve the protection of civilians, while supporting local communities in their efforts to enhance their own protection. Appel de Genève/Geneva Call is a private, not-for-profit, humanitarian organization foundation under Swiss law, founded in 1998.

Geneva Call consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. Geneva Call is an inclusive working environment for all its staff. Applications are particularly encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on the grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

Role

To provide leadership, vision and strategic direction to country program in Ukraine. This includes the qualitative implementation of Geneva Call’s humanitarian response (humanitarian dialogue, research, community-based approach), advocacy, fundraising and representation.

Core responsibilities

Strategy and program implementation

• Leads on development of country strategy;
• Analyses the humanitarian and security situation in country and identifies areas of interest for Geneva Call;
• Ensures fulfilment of Geneva Call’s core mission of promotion of IHL with armed groups and de facto authorities;
• Provides leadership, quality delivery, management, monitoring, evaluation and learning of the country program, against Geneva Call’s tri annual strategy;
• Manages, supervises and coordinates all the activities related to the implementation of Geneva Call`s projects in Ukraine according to the proposal guidelines and indicators, budget and work plans;
• Promotes sharing of learning with others and drawing on learning from across Geneva Call and externally, utilizes the results to inform program decisions and enhance institutional knowledge.

Safety and Security Management

• Overall responsible for Safety and Security;
• Ensures the development of updated context analysis and risks analysis based on reliable networks;
• Responsible for anticipating and managing risks that could threaten the safety of the staff, operational viability and the organization’s reputation;
• Responsible for managing security in line with Geneva Call’s Policy.

Mission Management & Coordination

• Leads the Senior Management Team of the country office
• Overall responsible for all resources and implementation of programs and activities within Country;
• Builds partnerships and represents Geneva Call;
• Manages staff, budget, assets and funding as per procedures and national requirements;
• Ensures transparent and timely financial management respecting deadline and procedures;
• Ensures the mobilization of necessary resources (financial, logistics, HR) to implement the country programs and contribute to the growth of the mission;
• Identifies human resources needs, recruits, and ensures induction;
• Overall development and supervision of country teams (including coaching and evaluation) in accordance with internal policies and procedures and national labour laws;
• Promotes and creates a culture to ensure knowledge sharing, innovation and capacity building and further professional development opportunities for all staff in appropriate fields;
• Communicates regularly with staff and promotes positive conflict resolution;
• Ensures that information is properly circulated between Headquarters and the field and ensures that due dates are respected.

Fundraising

• Represents Geneva Call in Ukraine;
• Ensures that all formalities required by government and other official agencies are properly prepared and presented in a timely manner;
• Actively participates in meetings and fora organised by the IO/NGO/UN, sectors as relevant to Geneva Call’s work in Ukraine Liaises strategically with Government representatives as well as with potential donors in country.

Main qualifications

Education and experience

• A relevant master is required.
• Knowledge of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) or International Human Rights Law is an asset.
• Minimum 8 years relevant work experience in managing multi donor humanitarian programs, including in managing teams of at least 20 people including expatriate staff.
• Experience of capacity building and mentoring, team leadership and management.
• Demonstrated skills and experience in security management.

Technical skills

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values.

Languages

• Full professional proficiency in English.

Personal skills

• Outstanding interpersonal skills with experience of negotiations with high-level stakeholders.
• Ability to work under pressure, travel frequently in conflict-affected areas and to handle numerous tasks simultaneously.

Performance management

The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the GC Performance Management process. The following documents will be used for performance reviews:

• The Job Description
• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

Conflict of interest

Any candidate affiliated to, or openly supporting, one or more interest groups opposed to the Foundation’s principles and values, or whose previous position could engender safety issues for co-workers at Appel de Genève / Geneva Call, will be excluded from this selection process. The employee will be accountable for the responsibilities and the competencies, in accordance with the Geneva Call Performance Management guidelines.

Conditions

• Position: Country Director
• Workplace: Kyiv, Ukraine
• Activity Rate: 100%
• Type of Contract: International contract
• Preferred start date: June, 2025

Application

No later than 10 April 2025

All applications will be kept confidential. Please note only shortlisted candidate will be contacted for further process. Geneva Call is the equal opportunity employer.

Important Note: Our HR team will meticulously evaluate your profile in line with the requirements of the post you have applied for. Since, we receive a good number of applications for all the positions Geneva Call advertises, it is not possible to communicate the results of our decisions with every candidate individually. Therefore, only the short-listed candidates will be contacted by the HR team.