Job Description

Save the Children International

Save the Children International is a leading global humanitarian organization that has been protecting children's rights worldwide for over 100 years. We operate in more than 100 countries, responding to emergencies, implementing innovative development programs, and advocating for children's rights on a global scale.

Our work in Ukraine began in 2014. Since then, we have significantly expanded our presence, providing support to children and families affected by war. Our key areas of focus include education, child protection, food security, social support, and advocacy to drive lasting change in children's lives.

ROLE PURPOSE:

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Deputy Country Program Operations (DCD-PO) shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office. The DCD-PO in his/her capacity is responsible for implementation of all programming in country, including the management of all sub offices, emergency preparedness and response. The DCD-PO will deputise for the Country Director as needed.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

• Reports to: Country Director
• Technical Report: Senior Operations Advisor
• Dimensions: Overall responsibility for programme implementation for the Ukraine Country Office’s portfolio.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Deputy Country Director – Program Operations takes a significant share in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office. The DCD in his/her capacity is primarily accountable for the successful implementation of quality programs in country on time, to budget and in compliance with donor requirements. Furthermore, s/he will be expected to undertake related engagement with members and donors, as well as the management of all sub offices, humanitarian preparedness and response.

The role leads delivery of the Country Office Localization strategy , progressively reducing the proportion of direct service delivery and increasing partnerships with state institutions, private service providers and local and national NGOs. In a protracted crisis, the post-holder connects emergency response with recovery, systems strengthening and longer-term engagement.

The role supports safe humanitarian access and adaptive delivery through area and field teams and partners, working closely with the Safety and Security Director and other relevant functions.

• Main donors: ECHO, Danida, Sida, NORAD through the Nansen programme, and the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund (UHF).
• Staff directly reporting to this post: Area Directors, Head of Awards and Partnerships, Head of Supply Chain, Operations Manager, Multisectoral PM (UOH)

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, contribute to:

• Leadership of the Ukraine Country Office and implementation of the country strategy and annual plans
• An organisational culture that reflects Save the Children’s values, promotes accountability and high performance, and encourages learning, collaboration and innovation.
• A coherent, financially sustainable operating model, aligning programme ambitions, staffing, field presence and funding
• Effective relationships with government authorities, donors, Save the Children Members, national and international NGOs and other partners.

Oversight and Management of Program Operations

• Lead programme implementation through Area Directors and operational managers, , ensuring delivery meets country strategy objectives, technical standards, award requirements and agreed budgets.
• Working with Program Development team, ensure that proposals are operationally feasible, fully costed and supported by realistic implementation, staffing, procurement and monitoring plans.
• Serve as overall budget holder for delegated programming; support individual budget holders and review expenditure, commitments, forecasts and funding gaps with Finance.
• Lead regular award and portfolio reviews and follow up on corrective actions.
• Lead the operational implementation of localisation with the Awards and Partnerships function. Agree practical milestones for increasing partner-led delivery, shared decision-making and capacity sharing with Ukrainian NGOs, state institutions and suitable private providers.
• Ensure fair and effective partnership management, including proportionate due diligence, timely agreements and payments, appropriate support costs, joint risk management and partner participation in design, monitoring and review.
• Ensure programmes respond to children and communities, with safe participation, accessible feedback and complaints mechanisms, inclusion and consistent safeguarding and accountability standards.
• Ensure accurate and timely programme and donor reporting, compliance with award conditions and effective award start-up, amendment and close-out.
• Oversee area and field operations through the approved management structure. Review shared costs, staffing, funding coverage and delivery risks, and plan responsible transitions, handovers or changes in footprint.

Supply Chain, Inventory and Procurement

• Oversee the Supply Chain function and ensure that country and field systems meet Minimum Operating Standards, donor requirements and programme needs.
• Integrate procurement and logistics plans with programme work plans, budgets and cash forecasts, including emergency readiness, winter constraints and rapid scale-up arrangements.
• Ensure transparent procurement, segregation of duties, supplier due diligence, value for money and appropriate quality assurance for goods and services.
• Ensure effective inventory, warehousing, fleet, distribution and fixed asset controls, including accurate records, maintenance and authorised transfers or disposal.
• Ensure proportionate supply chain support to partners, with agreed procurement roles and capacity support.

Emergency Response Management

• Lead country, area and field emergency preparedness and response planning, with clear triggers, responsibilities, contingency resources, assessments and partner mobilisation arrangements.
• Coordinate timely and appropriate responses to displacement, evacuations, attacks on infrastructure, winter disruption and changing access, consistent with humanitarian principles and SCI response standards.
• Maintain and exercise business continuity plans for critical functions, staffing, delegation, communications, utilities and payment continuity. Identify alternative capacity and residual risks affecting staff and partners.
• With the Safety and Security Director, ensure access and delivery plans reflect current risks, duty of care, movement procedures and staff communication requirements
• Ensure staff and partners understand their emergency roles. Coordinate emergency surge support and learning, and plan transitions from emergency assistance towards recovery and sustainable local services.

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development – Program Operations

• Ensure appropriate staffing and clear country, area and field accountabilities within Programme Operations, with effective coordination across programme and support functions.
• Lead and coach direct reports; define expectations, provide support and review performance regularly. Develop national leadership, succession and appropriate professional development opportunities.
• With HR, manage organisational change, recruitment and handovers fairly and transparently, with attention to staff wellbeing, workload and duty of care.
• Ensure all staff understand and can perform their emergency roles, follow security communication requirements and apply safeguarding, conduct and reporting procedures.
• Manage performance through:
• Clear, measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations;
• Coaching, mentoring and other development opportunities;
• Recognition of strong performance and documented improvement plans where required

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities, giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others.
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• Previous Country Director, Deputy Country Director or equivalent senior leadership experience in a medium to large international NGO country programme.
• Substantial leadership and field operations experience managing emergency and development programmes in conflict-affected settings, including decentralised and matrix structures.
• Robust programme cycle management experience, including award management, financial and budgetary control and grants from major institutional donors.
• Proven experience of localisation and equitable partnerships, including work with local NGOs, public institutions or other national service providers, capacity sharing and shared risk management.
• A strong understanding of the Country Office’s sectoral priorities, particularly education, child protection and integrated support to vulnerable children and families.
• Substantial experience overseeing supply chain, procurement and operational systems.
• Significant knowledge of humanitarian systems, coordination, donor requirements and accountability frameworks, including experience relevant to ECHO, Danida, Sida, NORAD or pooled funds.
• Experience of emergency preparedness, business continuity, humanitarian access and remote management, and of connecting emergency response with recovery and longer-term engagement.
• Ability to analyse information, assess risks and options, plan strategically and lead organisational change and cross-functional teams.
• Experience managing and developing diverse teams, with strong interpersonal, negotiation, communication and presentation skills.
• Commitment to Save the Children’s aims, values, safeguarding standards and rights-based approaches, with the credibility to build effective relationships at all levels.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Desired:

• Master’s degree in a related field or a relevant project management qualification.
• Experience in Ukraine or a comparable protracted crisis, familiarity with public service reform and the humanitarian–development nexus, and Ukrainian or local language skills.

Additional job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures.

Save the Children is committed to create a truly inclusive, effective and representative organisational culture, encouraging equity and diversity among its employees and eliminating discrimination. Having a diverse profile of employees, different age groups, backgrounds, cultures, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientation etc., including a range of different experiences and capabilities helps us understand, represent and serve children better. Therefore, all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or age.

Child Safeguarding Policy:

We are committed to ensuring children's safety. Our recruitment process includes strict background checks and reflects our commitment to protecting children from harm.

Safeguarding our Staff:

The post holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Safeguarding, Code of Conduct and other policies.

Health and Safety:

The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

Application Information:

If you are interested in this position, please submit your CV and cover letter in English and include details of your salary expectation and English proficiency.

We need to keep children and their families safe, so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the safeguarding of children from abuse.

Disclaimer:

Please be cautious of individuals who may misuse the Save the Children name to solicit fees from job seekers. We do not engage third parties or agencies to recruit candidates. If someone contacts you promising recruitment or placement at Save the Children for a fee, please do not proceed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Save the Children does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.