Country Director – Ukraine (m/f/d)

Background

Form of Employment: Full-time
Starting Date: October 2020
Duration: 15 months (Oct 2020 -Dec 2021), with the possibility of extension
Location: Ukraine

Democracy Reporting International (DRI) is a non-partisan, independent, not-for-profit organisation registered in Berlin. DRI promotes the political participation of citizens, accountability of state bodies and the development of democratic institutions worldwide.

DRI has supported Ukraine’s democratic transformation since 2014 through an office in Kyiv and an outreach around the country. Our focus has been on political education, youth participation as well as on awareness-raising on constitutional/judicial reforms issues, decentralisation, democracy and the rule of law.

In 2020-2021, DRI aims to carry on this work through a dedicated project focused on youth engagement, CSO capacity building in the (south) east of Ukraine, and the rule of law issues arising from the post -COVID-19 environment. We will also be conducting a review of our strategic priorities and positioning in the country.

To that end, DRI is currently recruiting a full-time Country Director for its Country Office in Ukraine. We are in search of an experienced professional with a deep background in the democratic development sector, strong programme management skills, a commitment to impact, and the ability to lead a team of 5 staff in Kyiv.

Your tasks

Under the overall supervision of DRI’s Manager – Europe, the Country Director will be responsible for overseeing the entire work of the DRI Ukraine country office. This entails the design, implementation and evaluation/reporting on DRI Ukraine’s project(s), strategic positioning, representational duties, further fundraising and the management of the DRI Ukraine office.

More specifically, the Country Director will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Ensuring that the project(s)’ activities and outputs are delivered in an effective, timely and efficient manner, while responsive to the overall project goals and the local political and security context
• Identifying significant in-country developments (political, legal, security, etc.) and their impact on the DRI priorities, project activities and entry points for engagement
• Building networks with other civil society organisations as well as with local and state authorities
• Drafting, reviewing and contributing to reports, briefing papers and other knowledge products
• Developing a visibility and outreach strategy for the project(s)
• Monitoring the implementation of the project(s) and proposing any modifications to the projects’ work plans; ensuring a continuous and effective Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning process throughout the project management cycle
• Ensuring that gender mainstreaming is applied throughout the project management cycle and within the country office
• Overseeing the recruitment and work undertaken by local and international experts
• Overseeing project budgets and financial reporting, in cooperation with the Finance, HR and Administration Coordinator and DRI HQ Finance Unit, as well as ensuring that procurement is carried out in accordance with DRI standard practices and donor regulations
• Managing the DRI team in Kyiv, supervising staff and experts;
• Supporting the evaluation of DRI presence in the country and developing a country strategy
• Overseeing the development of new initiatives and projects in the country, and diversifying funding sources
• Managing the registration process of DRI’s country office in Ukraine
• Ensuring effective coordination with and reporting to DRI’s Manager – Europe and other relevant staff at DRI Headquarters
• Providing advice and briefings to key stakeholders on relevant issues of democracy and governance (including elections, local governance and (women) political participation), constitutional reform and human rights implementation
• Representing DRI Ukraine, respecting DRI’s mission statement of promoting political rights as enshrined in international human rights standards, as well as DRI’s reputation and status as a charitable, non-profit company
• Coordinating closely with domestic and international organisations as well as relevant embassies in Kyiv, to ensure complementary programme activities
• Other relevant duties, as required.

Your skills and experience

Required:

• Masters degree in law, political or social science or a related field;
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience managing projects, of which at least four related to democracy assistance, human rights, local governance or governance reform.
• Sound knowledge of international democracy and human rights standards;
• Excellent outreach, presentation (written and oral) and donor liaison skills;
• Proven experience in supervising and managing staff;
• A strong administrative track record, with financial management competencies;
• An entrepreneurial start-up mind-set, with an ability to get things off the ground quickly;
• Good negotiation skills and the ability to work as part of a diverse team;
• The ability to travel inside Ukraine (if security allows);
• Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian.

Preferred:

• Experience with international non-profit organisations;
• Background in local governance and civil society focused projects;
• Strong networks with relevant stakeholders in the governance field in Ukraine (CSOs representatives, state agencies and officials, international stakeholders);
• Prior experience in heading a project office in Ukraine.

What we offer

DRI offers you flexible working hours, travel health insurance, training options, and the opportunity to work as part of an international and diverse team.