Ukraine Project Director

Job Title Ukraine Project Director
Project Name PROTECT2 Project: Promoting Reform Objectives through Technical Expertise and Capacity Transfer, Phase 2
Job type Full-time employee
Location of Position Kyiv, Ukraine
Reporting to Canadian Project Principal
Remuneration In line with market rates
Indicative LOE/Time Frame Initially 9 months with strong prospect of renewal for next phase (3)
Citizenship If required
Language Requirements Ukrainian and English, fluent spoken & written
Application Deadline 12 July 2024

Application Instructions:

• A cover letter is mandatory to be considered. Cover letters should effectively align your skills and experiences with the specific job responsibilities outlined in the position’s description, demonstrating your aptitude and enthusiasm for the role, your daily fee and current availability.

• upload your cover letter and CV (Curriculum Vitae).

• Only successful candidates will be contacted. No phone calls please.

Alinea is an international development consultancy providing technical and management expertise that helps people improve their lives. We work with governments, investors, companies, and communities to create lasting change. Over 38 years, Alinea has successfully delivered more than 1000 projects worldwide. alineainternational.com

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At Alinea International we value diversity, equity, inclusivity, accessibility and belonging in everything we do. We are an equal opportunity employer opposed to all forms of discrimination. We actively seek and encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds recognizing that an inclusive workforce enriches our organization and achieves smarter, more innovative results.

Alinea is committed to the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Due to the nature of our work, all candidates will be subject to due diligence checks and extensive background checks where appropriate.

Project Description:
PROTECT2 is funded by Canada’s Department of National Defence and implemented in Kyiv, Ukraine. PROTECT2 is designed to support Ukraine’s defence institutions and respond to the priority needs of the Ukrainian Government. The Project is dedicated to promoting Euro-Atlantic standards and principles within the defence and security sector.

PROTECT2 is comprised of four immediate outcomes as follows:

• (1110) Women Peace and Security Increased knowledge and skills of the Ukrainian defence sector personnel to implement Ukraine’s 1325 National Action Plan (NAP) and other international commitments relating to WPS.

• (1120) Defence Governance & Planning Increased knowledge and skills of Ukrainian defence sector personnel to develop and implement gender responsive defence legal, policy and planning frameworks based on Euro-Atlantic standards and principles.

• (1210) Programming & Resource Management Strengthened knowledge and skills of the Ukrainian defence sector personnel to implement program-based, capability-based and gender responsive defence resource management systems.

• (1220) Capabilities Development & Management Strengthened knowledge and skills of the Ukrainian defence sector personnel to forecast, acquire, manage, and sustain defence capabilities in a gender-responsive manner.

About the work
The Ukraine Project Director will work under the direct supervision of the Canadian Project Principal. They will be responsible for the leadership and oversight of all personnel and activities in the field and have direct management and supervisory responsibility over the project in the field.

• First Year Deliverable: Project implementation initiated with robust planning and monitoring process in place; staff and project performance baselines established.
• Second Year Deliverable: Team fully functional and delivering project on time and on budget.
• Subsequent Deliverables: Design process successfully led for subsequent phase of PROTECT.

The Role
The Ukraine Project Director will provide senior level leadership to the team and act as the primary point of contact to senior-level counterparts at the Ministry of Defence, General Staff, Office of the President, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) and other relevant Ukrainian counterpart institutions.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

• In compliance with Alinea policies and the Alinea International Management Guidelines, manage all matters pertaining to the PROTECT2 field office in Kyiv including finance and administration staff, recruitment and human resource issues as well as leases, contracts and facilities.
• Manage from the field all project implementation functions, including financial management, work planning, procurement, recruitment, monitoring/evaluation, and reporting.
  In concert with the Project Principal, lead activity planning workshops and implementation strategies with the P2 team.
• With the support of the M&E Expert, ensure implementation of the P2 MEL Plan; monitor project implementation status for all workstreams.
• Work with the Project Principal and M&E Expert on the production of wrap-up reporting, analysis and the consolidation of data and analytics.
• Cooperate with P2’s GE Experts to ensure that opportunity for the integration of gender-based analysis in the thematic policy areas is fully enabled.
• Coordinate and consolidate inputs for financial forecasting on a quarterly basis.
• Employ best practice in assuring consistent and complete communication and coordination with the Canadian members of the P2 project team.
• Ensure field deadlines are met for all planning and reporting requirements.
• Lead, guide, and mentor the Team Leads of the project workstreams in the execution of their respective work.

REPRESENTATION AND VISIBILITY

• Serve as the primary representative of the P2 project to the civilian and military officials of the Government of Ukraine, the Embassy of Canada, and the international community.
• In concert with the Project Principal, receive, evaluate, and provide recommendations on requests for assistance from Ukrainian government officials.
• Work with the Project Principal, the Communications Officer and other Alinea core staff in the production of communications and visibility materials.
• Ensure, under the direction of the Canadian Project Principal, that P2 plans and activities are closely coordinated with other national and international stakeholders working with the security and defence sector.
• Actively identify opportunities and support ongoing business development initiatives for Alinea in Ukraine and the region, in close coordination with the Project Principal.
• At the request of the Project Principal, represent Alinea corporately on specific mandates within the region.

PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

• Provide coaching and ensure professional development of the field based PROTECT core team (as relevant) in the interest of optimizing project deliverables.
• Support and advise Team Leads in the management of their relationships with relevant stakeholders, and execution of their plans and deliverables.
• Lead the Performance Management and Development (PMD) process for Kyiv-based personnel under her/his purview in accordance with the program organisational chart, and in collaboration with the Project Principal.
• Oversee and ensure that Team Leads implement Performance Management and Development (PMD) process for P2 Experts under their purview.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s qualifications in defence /security studies, law, public administration, political science, international relations or relevant field (Bachelor’s qualifications will be considered if complemented with appropriate level of experience)
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the defence sector in Ukraine and understanding of the Ukrainian machinery of government
• Demonstrated senior level management and leadership experience including a minimum of 5 years in positions of progressive responsibility working in an advisory capacity to the Government of Ukraine
• Excellent oral and written skills in English and Ukrainian
• Superior organisational, interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.