Head of Programme Ukraine

What we are looking for

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is looking for an experienced, principled, collaborative and dynamic Head of Programme to lead the implementation of the programme strategy and provide leadership to the programme team in the country, ensuring our response is informed by and relevant for the people affected by the war in Ukraine. 

We are a principled humanitarian actor, a strong advocate for protection and the rights of displaced people, as well as an active member of the humanitarian community in Ukraine. We support local capacities, and intend to supplement where necessary – drawing on the strength of our large global network. We support people who remain close to the frontline with emergency response, seeking to contribute to self-reliance where possible. Our focus is on communities that are hard to reach. As a displacement agency, we pay particular attention to people displaced by the conflict. We try to link them up to existing services from day one and believe we have an important role to play in finding good transitional solutions until longer term solutions can be found. We work across the nexus - contributing to early recovery in the most war and displacement affected communities, focusing on integration of IDPs and returnees, and ensuring displaced people’s needs are addressed in recovery and development efforts.

In 2024 we supported close to 300,000 people across all of Ukraine through the provision of multi-purpose cash assistance as a preferred modality of aid delivery, as well as through information, counselling and legal aid, protection, education, shelter, water, sanitation and livelihoods interventions. We mostly work in areas directly affected by hostilities in the east, south and north of the country, and are in the process of phasing out presence in the west. We increasingly work with local actors, ranging from local NGOs, but also with local authorities, the private sector, academia, etc., among others, to ensure the sustainability of our response. Many of our interventions, especially cash assistance, is delivered through digital means ensuring reach and cost-effectiveness.

What you will do

• Line management of the Country Programme Unit consisting of Core Competency Specialists and Programme Support Unit (Grants, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, Partnerships, Safe and Inclusive Programming)
• Supervision of Core Competency Specialists: Education, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance – ICLA, Protection from Violence, Shelter & Settlements, Cash & Market Systems, Livelihoods and Food Security; technical supervision of Area Programme Managers
• Active membership of the Country Management Group (CMG)
• Compliance with and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures
• Provision of programme input to the NRC Ukraine Country Strategy and related plans; ensure Core Competency strategies are aligned to regional and global priorities and strategies
• Assess the partner's priority needs in terms of capacity development
• Continue to evolve NRC’s programme in Ukraine, encouraging innovation and ensuring relevance of NRCs approaches in the years ahead
• Build strategic partnerships with local and international actors in Ukraine, and ensure NRC is able to provide thought leadership in the sectors in which it operates
• Strengthen NRCs evidence base and work closely with the Advocacy Manager to ensure NRCs collective response is based on data and analysis
• Ensure increasing programme implementation with local actors in line with NRC Partnership Policy and NRC Ukraine Partnership Strategy encompassing NGOs, local authorities, private sector, academia, etc.

  Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position

   What you will bring

  • Minimum 8 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector, with at least 4 years in a senior management position in humanitarian and / or recovery contexts
  • Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
  • Demonstrated skills in leading and managing diverse teams, as well as working in a matrix structure
  • Core competency and programming expertise, including monitoring and evaluation
  • Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
  • Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
  • Knowledge of / experience in the humanitarian context in Ukraine
  • Command of Ukrainian and/or Russian will be an asset
  • Experience from implementing with local partners; understanding of localization in humanitarian settings

    What we offer

    • Duty station: Kyiv, Ukraine.
    • Contract: 24 months 
    • Travel: 40%
    • Salary/benefits: grade 11 on NRC’s regional salary scale, with accompanying terms and conditions
    • NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability
    • We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative

      Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

      Important information about the application process

      📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

      ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

      • Internal candidates: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity MarketPlace.
      • When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
      • Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
      • Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
      • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.

        Why NRC?

        The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

        Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

        NRC has been present in Ukraine since 2014. Since the escalation of the war in 2022, we have been continuously scaling up our response across the country and working with national partners.

        Eight years of conflict in the east of Ukraine escalated into a full-scale war on 24 February 2022, causing death, destruction and displacement for millions of people across the country. 17.6 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023, including 6.3 million internally displaced people and 11.3 million people who returned or remained home. Almost 16 million people received humanitarian assistance in 2022.

        Throughout the winter months, the Russian Federation attacked critical energy infrastructure, leaving thousands with no heating, water or gas. Many residential buildings were also damaged and destroyed, killing and injuring civilians and forcing millions more to leave their homes. While indiscriminate attacks continued in different regions of Ukraine, the south was struck by the Kakhovka Dam breach on 6 June 2023, causing flooding and the displacement of thousands of people in the area, and leaving many regions without access to clean drinking water. Those who decided to remain are struggling to access food, water, health care, education and other essential services.

        The most vulnerable people are still in need of safe housing, protection services and livelihoods support among other needs. Displaced people in rural areas are also struggling to access services. Many of those in need of assistance live in the areas beyond the control of Ukrainian government, where the response is limited due to access constraints.

        We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

        • do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts
        • join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility
        • be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity

          Learn more about NRC The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee.  Join us in assisting millions of people in areas where others cannot, tackling some of the world's most dangerous and difficult crises. Bring your skills and dedication to an organisation recognised for providing high quality aid and for defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced people.  At NRC, we give responsibility to employees at all levels and foster professional growth and innovative teams. You can expect a supportive culture and an open dialogue with management. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.  Together, we save lives and rebuild futures. Safeguarding is central to NRC’s work. We expect all employees to:  • treat everyone with respect and dignity  • contribute to building a safe environment for all  • never engage in any form of exploitation, harassment and specifically sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH)  • always report. NRC has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction against exploitation, abuse and SEAH