Associate Director, Operations - Crisis Response: Ukraine

Tags: mental health Law finance translation language Environment
  • Added Date: Thursday, 30 November 2023
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Job Summary:

The humanitarian needs in Ukraine remain high due to significant instability and vulnerability of the Ukrainian population as the war carries on. In response to the crisis, FHI 360 is implementing an integrated program that provides life-saving and sustainable activities incorporating health, mental health, and protection components focused on the east and south of the country that will meet the critical needs of internally displaced persons and conflict-affected affected communities.

The Associate Director (AD), Operationsโ€™ primary responsibilities are to assist the Ukraine Crisis Response Coordinator / Head of Mission with the management of general operations, administration, and logistics support services for humanitarian activities at the field level in accordance with the organizationโ€™s policies and procedures. Under the supervision of the Response Coordinator, the position serves as a critical member of the senior leadership team in country overseeing operations staff and activities supporting project delivery, including field site operations, travel, IT, and administrative services, and the delivery of all logistics / supply-chain related activities. Drawing from home office guidance, the position will be responsible for adhering to and standardizing operations and ensuring support services are responsive to the needs of the program. Collaborates with colleagues across departments and in headquarters to identify system needs, process bottlenecks, and to develop unique solutions to enable more timely, efficient, and accountable operations in challenging humanitarian contexts. Supports and provides technical advice in existing programs, during new project startup, and at the program design (proposal) stage.

The position is envisioned for an initial 11-month period, with the possibility of extension.

Based in FHI 360โ€™s main country office in Dnipro, the duty station is designated as extreme risk and poses a heightened risk or direct threat to personal safety. However, FHI 360 has implemented mitigation measures and policies to ensure staff safety in coordination with FHI 360 Global Security. Applicants should research this location and the associated risks before applying.

For international staff based in Ukraine, FHI 360 provides a competitive salary, danger pay, premium pay allowance, accommodation, relocation, and regular R&R rotations which includes a roundtrip ticket to designated relief point (or equivalent amount to preferred destination), and a 500 USD lump sum payment.

Accountabilities:

  • Responsible for tactical and day to day oversight of operational support to create a strong foundation for the Ukraine crisis response program

  • Provide leadership and team building including management and mentoring of personnel with a focus on capacity building of national staff

  • Ensure compliance with FHI 360 policy, procedures and practices at the country level, especially with regard to Administration, Business Services, ISS, Purchasing, and Travel Services directives; maintain communications with HQ counterparts in these departments and recommend country or emergency specific policy/procedures as required, especially with regard to adaptations in line with Ukrainian legislation.

  • Maintain a current Operations Manual for the Ukraine country office. Build awareness of its contents through training/refresher training on FHI 360 and Ukraine-specific processes and procedures to maximize compliance with established procedures.

  • Guide the management of existing offices and field sites, ensuring appropriate resourcing and oversight is in place for all locations; develop comprehensive plans in the establishment of new field sites and closing of existing ones.

  • Ensure organization standards for staff housing and field office conditions and amenities are being implemented in humanitarian program locations; troubleshoot any operational issues that make it difficult for staff to implement effectively in these locations.

  • Ensure regular coordination between FHI 360 offices as well as between/among operational departments.

  • Oversee administrative staff responsible for implementing travel procedures and spearhead short-term projects related to travel services.

  • Directly supervise staff responsible for translation, interpretation, and communications, ensuring the efficient use of this function as a shared resource across departments.

  • Directly supervise the in-country ISS function and systems for the country office and ensures coordination with regional ISS support.

  • Provide high level support for logistics and supply chain integration with project activities, liaising between corporate and key project stakeholders.

  • Handle operations budgets, reviewing monthly expenses for operations departments and providing inputs for accurate forecasting and pipeline analysis.

  • Review/approve purchase requests for administrative/operational needs in line with project budgets, checking for appropriateness to the program and that they are driven by field needs.

  • Consult with the Response Coordinator and HQ to troubleshoot issues and make recommendations for corrective actions. Advocate for the required support to the country office and maintain regular contract with HQ counterparts and regional backstops.

  • Participate in risk management exercises and implement systems and procedures to detect and ultimately prevent loss or fraud.

  • Advocate with and/or advise peer agencies, oblast authorities, donors and other stakeholders to influence responses to operational issues and challenges to promote delivery of efficient and high-quality humanitarian services.

  • Engage with formal and informal INGO coordination mechanisms relevant to the operating area, such as the INGO Forum and OCHA to represent FHI 360 and ensure organizational reporting.

  • Coordinate field assessments of operational needs and participate in the development of response strategies in collaboration with the Response Coordinator, technical/program leads, host country government, the UN system, other humanitarian organizations, as appropriate.

  • Provide support to FHI 360 Ukraine platform operational needs when needed and liaise with development project operations staff.

  • Support business development by providing technical advice to field managers and support with writing, reviewing, and editing proposals in regard to logistic and operational plans.

  • Contributes to organizational strategic initiatives as assigned.

  • Performs other duties assigned.

    Applied Knowledge & Skills:

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