Finance and Operations Director, Ukraine New Workforce Development Activity

SCOPE OF WORK

Ukraine New Workforce Development Activity

Finance & Operations Director

DAI is recruiting candidates for the anticipated USAID-funded New Workforce Development Activity in Ukraine. This five-year award, which is expected to be in the range of $100-299.99 million, will support the upskilling and retraining of Ukraine’s labor force to adapt to the demographic and workforce shocks caused by war. The award will help adapt employers and employees to structural changes in the labor market and will be a major component of USAID’s Economic Stability and Recovery Initiative (ESRI) for Ukraine.

The Finance & Operations Director is a key member of the project leadership team. S/he will play a pivotal role in overseeing adherence to the project’s Field Operations Manual (FOM), USAID regulations, contract requirements and limitations, financial policies, procedures, controls, and reporting systems. The individual ensures compliance of project operations and directly supervises and supports a team responsible for finance, administration, logistics, human resources, and procurement.

• Ensures project compliance with the project contract, USAID rules and regulations, DAI policies and procedures (including FOM guidelines), and applicable Ukrainian law.
• Responsible for gaining comprehensive knowledge of the project’s FOM, identifying areas where policies, procedures and/or practices may not be fully aligned with project practice, and working towards their correct alignment.
• Ensures that all project staff understand DAI and project policies and procedures according to the FOM and follow them while carrying out their job responsibilities.
• Leads and supervises Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, and other operations teams. Plans, assigns, and directs their work, appraises performance, and addresses and resolves problems.
• Prepares administrative, contractual, and financial reports required by DAI, USAID, and Ukraine authorities in coordination with the operations team as well as the home office project management team.
• Ensures that any/all contractual financial reporting requirements are identified and complied with in a timely and accurate manner.
• Maintains communication with DAI’s home office staff on administrative and financial aspects of the activity.
• Provides relevant information and analysis for periodic project reports (such as annual and quarterly reports) as required.
• Oversees recruitment, salary negotiations, hiring, evaluation, and termination of employees, in consultation with the COP and HR Manager.
• Maintains all personnel policies to ensure compliance with local labor law, tax law, and USAID regulations.
• Leads the transition process from remote work / working from home to a hybrid model, including finding and securing a permanent project office in Kyiv and other related activities.
• Oversees the office management to ensure that all project facilities are powered, cleaned, and functioning properly.
• Ensures that administrative records and project personnel documentation are well-organized, maintained and updated, and that procurement files are properly documented and closed upon completion of an activity.
• Ensures project staff are properly trained in project data management systems, and that staff actively incorporate the data management system into daily project activities.
• Conducts reviews and regular spot audits of project files to ensure completeness, accuracy, and full compliance with all regulations and the FOM.
• Maintains open and frequent communication with the Chief of Party (COP) and technical staff on work plan implementation.
• Supports all logistical, administrative, financial, legal, and contractual aspects of the Activity when requested by the home office project staff.
• Ensures that all new and current staff are trained on personnel policies, administrative procedures, procurement, and on any other subject required by law.
• Provides training and guidance to all field staff (technical and operations) on the activity’s administrative, human resources, and operations systems and processes, including the FOM.
• Supports and advises the COP on monitoring of all activities, the budget execution, performance of all teams, and internal and external conflicts. Identifies potential bottlenecks, presents proposed solutions to the COP, and executes agreed upon solutions.
• Manages contract budget and budget pipeline.
• Maintains good working relationship and coordinates with the USAID/Ukraine mission, other USAID-funded projects, partners, donors, and Ukraine authorities.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the COP.

• A bachelor’s degree, preferably in a relevant field of study, such as accounting, business administration, international development, or project management, is required; master’s degree preferred.
• Substantive relevant professional experience, demonstrating progressive responsibility, in project operations for donor-funded international development programs, including experience in project administration, finance, human resources, and procurement.
• Applied knowledge of USG contracting rules and regulations is required, plus demonstrated prior experience managing project operations for large and/or complex USAID-funded contracts, preferably valued in excess of $100 million.
• Applied knowledge DAI systems, policies, and procedures, including prior experience applying such knowledge to facilitate the effective and compliant project administrative, financial, and operational management strongly preferred.
• Prior experience supervising staff is required, including an ability to build the capacities of local teams to effectively manage and facilitate project finance and operations.
• Prior experience and demonstrated success managing project operations in conflict and/or post-conflict contexts, or other complex environments, is strongly preferred; prior experience working in Ukraine is also preferred.
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated written and verbal English language proficiency is required; additional language proficiency in Ukrainian or other relevant foreign language skills is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including a track record of successful coordination and building effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g., clients, vendors, and service providers).
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, plus an ability to work effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure, and high-stress environments.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information ethically and responsibly, and to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Demonstrated capacity in the use of Microsoft Office software, including Excel and Word.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI ORGANIZATION AND VALUES

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner. DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.