Program Manager

Based in Kyiv

Full-time with frequent travels across Ukraine, including eastern oblasts

Background

Since 24 February 2022, Ukraine has been under attack by Russia causing an immense humanitarian crisis and significant global tensions. To respond to the humanitarian needs, Solidar Suisse partnered with the Ukrainian organisations LAOPWD (Kharkivska and Donetska oblasts) and VIS (Vinnytsia oblast) to provide humanitarian assistance to internally displaced people (IDP), returnees and people living near the frontline among them the most vulnerable. The project covers Cash for Protection, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, GBV Case Management, winterisation support as well as Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA). The programme is expanding to cover protection activities with a new partner (Right to Protection (R2P)). The Project Manager complements the Solidar Suisse team in Ukraine and works closely with the Country Representative, all other team members, colleagues at HQ as well as partner organisations.

Role overall scope

The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for the coordination and implementation of Solidar Suisse’s program in different regions of Ukraine, in close cooperation with the partner organizations. The Program Manager collects information on the progress of the project interventions, working in close collaboration with partner organizations and ensuring a multi-sectoral and integrated approach across project activities where feasible. The Program Manager provides programmatic support, guidance and advice to the partner organisation staff, ensures compliance with donor, Solidar Suisse and Ukrainian regulations and provides regular report to the Country Representative and HQ. The Program Manager develops workplans with the Project Officers and partners and ensures the timely implementation of activities, as well as the achievement of targets as set in the project proposal/LogFrame. The Program Manager ensures proper communication, incl. regular reports with the partners based on mutual trust and respect. The Program Manager works closely together with the MEAL Coordinator and provide support to ensure adherence and implementation to the MEAL framework. 

Main responsibilities and tasks

The Program Manager will:

• Collaborate with the Country Representative (CR) to set program goals aligned with the organization's strategic objectives, while planning the program's timelines, milestones, and processes.
• Devise evaluation strategies to monitor performance and determine the need for improvements.
• Contribute to strengthening existing partnerships and establishing new ones to drive strategy development and enhance organizational impact.
• Supervising project officers involved providing feedback and resolving programme complexities.
• Together with Country Representative, ensure programme operations and activities adhere to legal guidelines and internal policies.
• Keep Senior Management Team in Ukraine (SMT) and HQ informed with accurate reports or presentations.
• Support the CR in acquisition and coordinate with potential new partners. 
• Responsible for technical support for Programme outcomes/ activities. This will include review of outputs, monitoring of programme results and follow-up.
• Ensure quality reporting on achievements against bi-weekly and monthly performance reports containing clear quantitative and qualitative information related to the activities.
• Assist in collecting support documents (means of verification) and general project documents.
• Interact with local authority bodies, international donors and other stakeholders of the programme. 
• Support the CR with the development and implementation of the Country Strategy, in particular for the development of specific and detailed sector strategies.

Partnership management and implementation

• Be the point of contact for implementing partners.
• Provide strategic and technical support, advice and guidance to the partners to implement the activities as laid out in the project proposal.
• Monitor programme activities being implemented by different Implementing partners and ensure that they meet programmatic goals, deliverables and contractual obligations. 
• Conduct bi-weekly and monthly meetings with the partner organizations to review the planning and discuss the main concerns to focus on for the upcoming period.
• Read and review reports prepared by managers and coordinators to determine progress and address issues.
• Ensure partners respect and comply with Solidar Suisse rules and guidelines and adhere to the code of conduct and charter of values.

 Coordination and networking

• Network and identification of new partners for collaborative work on projects and ensure their participation in all stages of the project cycle management, including project design, according to the Solidar Suisse Ukraine Country Strategy.
• Attend the relevant cluster meetings and ensure timely reporting of highlights to the Country Representative and HQ staff (coordinate reporting with MEAL coordinator and Country Representative).
• Coordinate with relevant local authorities and other stakeholders for the implementation of the project.

Capacity development

• Support partners’ capacity building, including the design and implementation of partner procedures.
• Provide Technical Assistance to Implementing partners for implementation of programme activities.
• Continuous on-the-job coaching of teams to work on quality in delivery of humanitarian assistance
• Perform any other related duties as required and as tasked by the Country Representative and/or Desk Officer at HQ

Required profile and experience

• Master’s degree in social sciences, humanitarian action/development cooperation or related fields.
• 3-5 years professional experience in program/project management including field experience, preferably in an emergency context.
• Proven experience in the development and implementation of humanitarian projects, preferably covering protection, shelter, WASH, livelihoods and cash-based interventions.
• Proven experience in financial management.
• Good personal organizational skills, including time management and ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Fluency in Ukrainian and very good knowledge of the English language. 
• Proficiency in MS office package.

Application: 

If you are interested in this assignment and meet the requirements, please send your application in English including detailed CV, and contact details of 3 referees through jobalino - Program Manager Ukraine (jobalino.ch)

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.