Program Director

Habitat for Humanity International is seeking an experienced Program Director (PD) to lead the HFH Ukraine Program Team, build local partnerships and represent HFHI at government and donor level.

Background and Objective

Nearly 13.5 million people are currently affected by war displacement; more than one-third of Ukrainians have been forced from their homes. Within Ukraine, more than 5.3 million people remain displaced by the war, having moved from the worst-affected eastern regions towards the central and western regions, with significant shelter needs. More than 8 million refugees are currently hosted in the region, with the largest population in the neighboring countries.

The vulnerability of war-affected populations in Ukraine is exacerbated by the pre-war lack of adequate housing with close to no affordable rental options. Approximately 80% of the national housing stock within the country is estimated to be in sub-standard and energy inefficient conditions requiring upgrading and refurbishment. There is a high level of homeownership in Ukraine (estimated at 90%) because of privatization, yet this housing stock is significantly substandard and energy inefficient. The significant increase in energy prices caused by the war has only exacerbated the vulnerabilities of populations already experiencing energy poverty.

HFHI Ukraine program initiatives deployed in these next three years will ensure equity in design and implementation and seek to build capacity in civil society and government partners. The following operating cornerstones will guide project design and application – and define how HFH will provide sustainable impact in Ukraine:

• Support equality throughout the housing eco-system: HFH will provide voice and expertise towards housing processes and solutions which ensure equity and inclusion – ethnicity, age, gender, abilities. As women continue to bear a significant burden and are differently and disproportionately affected by the crisis, their representation in all decision-making is critical to sustainable solutions for both the response and the long-term recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine for the entire population.
• Enable partners in housing: HFH will partner with local civil society organizations in delivering housing solutions, providing HFH experience and resources to enable civil society and governments to effectively lead scalable housing initiatives.
• Support IDPs and host communities: In areas of significant IDPs, HFH will balance refugee housing with host community housing needs. And in these areas HFH will develop community projects which support both refugees and host residents.
• Support chronic housing needs and rebuilding: With a housing stock significantly substandard prewar, HFH will balance support for rebuilding/repairing war affected housing as well as refurbishment of existing housing stock.

Scope of Activities and Tasks

• The HFH Ukraine Program Director (PD) will report to the HFH Ukraine Chief of Party (COP) and will be responsible to lead the HFH Ukraine Program Team and guide the capacity footprint of the team in alignment with the HFH Ukraine 5-year strategy which is in alignment with CEE/CIS strategic framework and as the HFH Ukraine program proceeds forward – adapting to new knowledge and opportunity for HFH Ukraine to add value in supporting the Ukraine housing needs.
• The PD must come with proven program leadership and experience in leading a high-level technical team and working with government, local/international partners including theory of change.
• The HFH Ukraine Program will require expertise in housing, energy efficiency, civil society capacity development, and policy development. While not all candidates are expected to have all of these experiences, knowledge and experience in many of these areas is highly desired.
• The PD will report to HFH Ukraine Chief of Party (COP). The PD will liaise closely and be supported by Regional technical experts – energy efficiency, social housing – empty spaces/housing stock, advocacy, safeguarding, gender, and fundraising.
• The PD will receive support from the COP; overall technical, administrative, financial, partnerships, donor support. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

Management

• The PD will provide leadership and strategic direction to the HFH Ukraine program team to effectively deliver the range of programming in compliance with HFH organization policies/standards and donor policies.
• The PD will serve as the overall lead of the HFH Ukraine program, in an integrated and collaborative approach with HFH Ukraine technical teams, HFH Area Office and HQ Technical support, implementing partners, funding partners to ensure high quality programming and reaching impact.
• The PD will ensure the Program Team follows the in-country operations in accordance with HFH policies and procedures, including procurement, grant management, budget management, safety and security, team wellness/development.
• The PD with the COP will monitor and manage operational risk, ensuring awareness of the changing context, and that programs implemented address both safety and security/safeguarding risks.
• Co-ordinating and managing on a day-to-day basis the work of HFH Ukraine experts and various inputs of partners and consultants.
• Overseeing the operational aspects of HFH Ukraine project implementation, and performance. This includes ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of the program in line with the donor contracts, managing and flagging to the COP any potential scope, challenges, and slow burn rate. Strategic planning and project troubleshooting as and when required.
• Ensuring that all project documentation is kept up to date in required formats and is accessible to HFHI, project monitors, auditors and others as legitimately required.
• Contribute to providing timely and accurate programme and financial reporting to donors on all programme areas. This includes Quarterly progress reports culminating in annual reports as well as Final programme reports.
• Contribute to HFH Ukraine annual workplans for HFHI EME AO and donors’ approval.

Programming

• The PD will be guided by the HFH Ukraine 5-year program strategy in developing project designs, implementation, reporting, Monitoring, evaluation accountability and learning (MEAL), partnership building, donor reporting and proposal development.
• The PD will ensure appropriate MEAL criteria and capacities are being developed/implemented to measure the progress against the target set and quality of implementation. Ensuring the overall quality of the services provided to the program partners and donors.
• The PD will ensure that all program activities are coordinated in an integrated approach and be available to support the program team throughout the project cycles. Working closely with the Technical Leads to ensure technical quality and provide oversight of all program activities and deliverables.
• The PD lead knowledge sharing, lessons learned, and good practices are compiled and used to inform and improve future planning, programming, and implementation and shared with relevant departments with HFH Ukraine, EME Area Office, local and international partners and donors.
• In coordination with EME leadership and HFH DR3 team, lead regional efforts to strengthen HFH EME capacity in humanitarian setting, with a focus on developing appropriate recovery plans and frameworks at the country level and managing the smooth transition from humanitarian to pathway to permanence.
• Producing annual workplans for HFHI EME AO and donors’ approval.
• Working with the MEAL Manager to ensure the implementation of an effective Monitoring Strategy including its development and adherence to the donors’ log frames.
• Overseeing engagement with partners including government at the national, state and local level.

Partnerships

• In coordination with HFH COP, maintain country and regional partnerships with key players in Ukraine and CEE/CIS region.
• The PD will be a key liaison with infrastructure technical units within the Government of Ukraine, local and international NGOs, project stakeholders and counterparts in the public and private sectors.
• With support from the HFH COP, support HFH-Ukraine in partnership with HFHI communication teams for regular website messages, annual report, media and other communication activities.
• Support the COP by providing program data updates, challenges, successes and staffing situation.
• The PD will play a key role to identify and collaborate with local partners, follow HFH partnership policies, with support from the HFH EME Area Office.
• Building and maintaining strategic relationships with donors, government, local NGOs and other stakeholders relevant to the Program. This includes maintaining all necessary contact and on-going liaison with relevant international organisations, other projects, and stakeholders in Ukraine.

Funding Partnerships

• Collaborate with HFHI fundraising networks and HFH Fundraiser.
• HFH Ukraine Program team, all contribute to proposal development, project design and donor reporting.
• The PD ensures accurate and timely reports for the donors, according to approved guidelines.
• The PD will collaborate with the Grant Manager and compliance teams to ensure we are meeting all donor requirements, policies etc.

Minimum Requirements:

Education:  Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, an advanced degree/ post graduate preferred, in a Social Studies, Project Management or an equivalent field

Years of Related Experience: At least 5 years of experience in the development or humanitarian work, at least 3 – 5 years’ experience working in/on fragile or post-conflict context preferred.

 Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong project management skills managing complex, multifaceted projects resulting in measurable successes and program growth.
• Proven record of aligning diverse, multi-level teams with project mission and vision. Track record of strong commitment to sharing knowledge, documenting experiences, supporting creative initiatives, and sharing credit.
• Strong experience in programme quality, MEAL, programme development; proposal development, budget development, program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
• Experience working with key donor funded projects, private foundations, and other development-oriented donors, and/or multilateral organizations an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with senior-level colleagues, particularly interacting productively, proactively, and comfortably with government agencies, NGOs, private sector groups, implementing partners, and donor organizations.
• Demonstrated strategic agility, diplomacy, conflict management, team building, written and oral communication, and negotiation skills.
• Fluency in English required, and Ukrainian language skills an advantage.

 Preferred Requirements (in addition to minimum):

• A Ukrainian national preferred.

Active support of HFHI Values:

• Humility – We are part of something bigger than ourselves
• Courage – We do what’s right, even when it is difficult or unpopular
• Accountability – We take personal responsibility for Habitat’s mission
• Safeguarding: HFHI requires that all employees take seriously their ethical responsibilities to safeguard our intended beneficiaries, their communities, and all those with whom we work. Managers at all levels have responsibilities to support and develop systems that create and maintain an environment that prevents harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse safeguards the rights of beneficiaries and community members (especially children), and promotes the implementation of Habitat for Humanity’s code of conduct.

At Habitat for Humanity International, we embrace a history rooted in creating equity and take our mission seriously by courageously committing to a culture and workplace where all staff feel safe, welcome, visible, respected, supported and valued. As an equal opportunity employer, we realize that our success depends upon building an inclusive workforce of diverse perspectives and encourage people of varied races, ethnicities, national origins, tribes, religions, ages, gender identities and expressions, genders, sexual orientations, marital statuses, disabilities, veteran/reserve national guard statuses, socio-economic statuses, thinking and communication styles to work with us.

About Habitat for Humanity International

Founded in 1976, Habitat for Humanity International is a global Christian-based nonprofit organization which grew out of an intentionally multi-racial community in rural Georgia.  Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat brings together people of all faiths and people of no faith to build homes, communities and hope. Working alongside each other, we help families and individuals build and improve places to call home and achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Habitat for Humanity seeks individuals who have a willingness to affirm these principles and values.

Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

HFHI works through a broad network of national Habitat organizations and other strategic partners, such as corporations, financial service providers, individuals, non-governmental organizations, foundations, local governments, as well as the private sector actors. HFHI supports program and project implementation by national HFH organizations and directly implements projects and programs regionally.

APPOINTMENT DETAILS

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine with in-country and regional travel as necessary.

Contract length: Two years

HOW TO APPLY

Closing date: 10^th March 2024

To apply please click ‘Apply Now’

As part of the application process kindly submit an MS Word version of your CV and a cover letter. All application documents (cover letter and CV) should be submitted in English.

Should you require access to information in a different format to facilitate your application please contact us via [email protected]

Please name your submitted files with the following reference: HfHPD_UKR

Red Sea take our responsibility towards protecting your personal data very seriously. The data you provide is processed in line with relevant data protection legislation. For the purposes of this recruitment, and as defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Red Sea is defined as the Data Controller.

Red Sea is committed to meeting the standards set out in our Equality and Diversity statement, acting in line with the UK Equalities Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity.