Country Director - UKRAINE

Place: Kyiv, Ukraine (visits to the field)
Starting date: 1st, August 2026
Duration of contract: 12months
Closing date for applications: 10th June 2026

Humanity & Inclusion is an independent and impartial aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. The organisation works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

Since its creation in 1982, HI has run development & humanitarian projects in more than 55 countries and responded to numerous emergencies. Today, we have a budget of approximately 200 million euros, with 4,000 employees worldwide

At Handicap International-Humanity & Inclusion, we truly believe in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organisation. This is why we are engaged to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities.

Please indicate if you require any special accommodation, even at the first interview. For more information about the organisation.

JOB CONTEXT:

In Ukraine, Humanity & Inclusion (HI) works along the humanitarian-development nexus with shorter-term humanitarian objectives in line with the national response plan as well as longer-term recovery programming which builds upon its work over the past three years. HI’s response comprises the following sectors:

• Armed Violence Reduction through: i. explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) to reduce the risk of injury by raising awareness and promoting behavioral change; ii. Victim Assistance (VA) broad and specific efforts to address the needs and rights of victims and iii. Non-Technical Surveys and clearance to contribute to land release.
• Comprehensive Health through mobile teams and in hospitals to provide physical and functional rehabilitation as well as mental health and psychosocial support.
• Protection services to identify and assess the needs of the most vulnerable, and to support them with referrals to professionals, specific/tailored information and awareness on protection issues.
• Inclusive humanitarian action through technical support, trainings, awareness raising and assessments among the humanitarian community and service providers to protect and ensure the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities.

In line with its partnership and localization strategy, HI works alongside national partners to build strong local capacities within health, protection and mine action local actors and ensure context driven responses and long-term impact.

HI Ukraine Program:

• Volume: 6M€/year – 119 staff
• Donors: CDCS, SDC, UHF
• Partners: Ministries of Health, of Economy, of Social Affairs, local organizations, hospitals, collective centers.

HI has several operational hubs in the east of Ukraine. The coordination office is in Kyiv. HI staff is accommodated in guesthouses, usually near HI offices, restaurants, cafes, and shopping centers within walking distance and near a shelter (the shelter is either in the building or very easy to reach).

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

YOUR MISSION:

The Country Director is the legal representative in the country of the overall HI organization internally and externally and promotes a high reputation and positive image of HI.

He/she deploys HI’s full mandate and 2026-27 Strategy in his/her geographical area, with operational partners, institutions and/or donors, and steers organizational transformation in line with HI global standards. In case of emergency, he/she takes responsibilities in accordance with the response framework defined.

He/sheensures compliance with his/her budget framework (including unrestricted funds) and HI policies and frameworks (safeguarding, commitment thresholds, security, human resources, risk management, etc.)

He/sheactively monitors and analyses context developments in his/her geographical area, in order to identify risks and opportunities.

Responsibility 1: Management

• Set up team spirit and a functioning team, guaranteeing synergies and exchanges of good practices between the different actors in the Program and with head office colleagues.
• Based on the Human resources strategy of the Program (in the StratOp), size and plan annually human resources needs of the Program.
• Recruit and contribute to the professional development, autonomy and well-being at work of his/her direct managers: in link with the corresponding professional channels, set formalized individual objectives, ensure coherence between HI’s needs and competencies and motivation of his/her teams, develop and monitor competence development plan, evaluate individual performance, contribute to career evolution.
• Acknowledge individual and collective efforts and performance.
• Embody and transmit HI values, ensure compliance with code of conduct and institutional policies, ensure the expected mind set and individual and collective behaviors, and disciplinary measures when necessary.
• Conduct a Program Steering Committee with his/her direct managers: Operations Manager, Area Managers, Technical Unit Manager & Shared (support) Services managers.
• Steer organization transformation, in particular through managerial and work practice change and continuous improvement of working processes.

Responsibility 2: Deployment of HI Strategy and HI frameworks and regulations in the program

• Conduct the development of the Program’s Operational Strategy (StratOp), and its implementation and annual monitoring, taking into account context and external constraints, HI’s mandate and global strategy, the Technical Strategies and the Development plans of Emergency, Atlas and Impact-Innovation-Information Divisions.
• The Operational Strategy includes a fundraising strategy aligned with HI’s ethical principles and the Institutional Funding Development Plan.
• Develop regular contact with donors at field level and liaise regularly with Institutional Funding Division.
• Ensure the best allocation of resources to match Program’s ambitions, and plan accordingly (including support missions).
• Ensure the deployment of and compliance with HI global frameworks, institutional policies and standards.
• Ensure financial control and monitoring of operations are effective in the Program
• Ensure technical quality standards are applied in the projects of the Program, and monitor the implementation of evaluations and donor audit recommendations.
• Facilitate internal audits (operational, financial and organizational) and ensure the implementation of their recommendations.
• Be responsible for security management: in link with the Security advisor, develop a culture of safety & security at Program level; ensure that security documents are up-to-date and that all necessary measures are put in place; ensure incident management and reporting according to HI frameworks.
• With both potential opportunities and risks in mind, ensure continuous monitoring and analysis of current developments in his/her geographical context

Responsibility 3: Legal representative

• Employer’s representative responsibilities and compliance with local working regulations.
• Communications on behalf of HI.
• Representation of HI vis-à-vis local, national, traditional, political, military and diplomatic authorities and bodies.
• Representation of HI vis-à-vis international organizations and coordination mechanisms & system.
• Negotiation and signature of operational partnerships, and monitoring of operational partnerships signed in affiliated countries.

Responsibility 4: Influence and leadership

• Take on the messages of HI global advocacy to all relevant external parties.
• Develop a specific local advocacy activity in accordance with the Operational Strategy of the Program.
• Develop communication and information activities, in accordance with the Operational Strategy
• Contribute to the conception, promotion and evolution of HI strategy and policies.

 CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:

The security situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with 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 several operational hubs in the east of Ukraine. The coordination office is in Kyiv. HI staff is accommodated in guesthouses, usually near HI offices, restaurants, cafes, and shopping centers within walking distance and near a shelter (the shelter is either in the building or very easy to reach).

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

• With at least 5 years’ experience at key management position within international organizations, you have management experience in humanitarian and emergency programs  

• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills; 

• Constant program adaptation to an evolving context and set up of partnerships with local and international partners is part of your main motivation 

• You have excellent organizational skills, co-ordination and transfer of knowledge; 

• Ability to work in a tensed and volatile context with strict security measures; 

• Proven experience in negotiations with institutional donors, project writing and reporting. 

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission: Join the team

12months International contract starting from 1st , August 2026;

The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:

• Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals;
• Pension scheme;
• Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution;
• Repatriation insurance paid by HI;

Salary from 3232€ gross/month upon experience;

Perdiem: 578€ net/month - paid in payroll

Hardship: 500 € net/month paid with your salary;

Paid leaves: 25 days per year;

R&R: 5 days every 8 weeks

Position:

• Unaccompanied:

Housing:

• Individual taken in charge by HI;