Deputy Program Director in Washington, District of Columbia at IREX

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

Who We Are

Under the supervision of the IREX Ukraine Country Director, the Deputy Program Director provides management and operational oversight to a portfolio of programs, including education reform, support of key populations (veterans, internally displaced, youth), community and governance. The programs will support the donor’s (e.g. Department of State) goals in Ukraine and align with IREX 2040 Ambition.

Accountable for the successful operation of all projects/programs. Responsibilities include managing the programs’ financial information; developing strategic initiatives; monitoring workplan implementation and cooperative agreement deadlines; overseeing finance and grants management; managing relationships with donors, local partners, and the government; supervising and mentoring assigned program staff; providing technical support to assigned programs; representing the assigned programs for internal and external audiences; facilitating issues/questions and resolutions related to Grants/Contracts/ Compliance and Field Operations/HR; and carrying out additional duties and tasks to meet the needs of the organization, team, or as assigned by the manager.

May assume Project Director/Manager responsibilities for smaller projects/programs. Speak for and/or represent the assigned programs in Ukraine. As needed, the Deputy Program Director will also work with the Strategy and Development Group on the preparation of proposals for new business development opportunities, cost extensions for the current programs and other relevant business opportunities.

Performs additional duties and tasks to meet the needs of the organization, team, or as assigned by the manager.  

Are you the next member of our team?

Your Background & Skills:

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree highly preferred) in a management discipline or related field
• Minimum of 12+ years of progressive experience or a master’s degree and 11 years of
• 5 years of donor-funded project management experience in senior roles
• Experience in establishing systems and overseeing program start-up and close-out; overseeing multiple program areas simultaneously, hiring, training and supervision of local personnel, financial management, including budgeting; tracking, reporting, and accounting of finances and procurement.
• Ability to establish and nurture strong working relationships with senior-level national and sub-national government officials; community leaders, local officials, media, civil society, private sector leaders; international donors and other key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to track and manage large budgets and plan both strategically and creatively to meet project objectives.
• Ability to cultivate relationships with potential donors and partners
• Proficient and comfortable with contemporary digital platforms for collaboration and communication.
• Excellent management, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally and provide written reporting in English and Ukrainian required.
• Must demonstrate valid proof of unrestricted work authorization in Ukraine.

Your Daily Tasks:

• Lead day-to-day implementation and provide oversight of the assigned programs, ensuring quality of delivery and cross-program coordination.
• In collaboration with the Country Director, develop and communicate the overall project vision and values to staff, partners, and stakeholders.
• In coordination with IREX and the Ukraine leadership team, establish and ensure implementation of IREX/Ukraine operational policies and procedures and ensure that all operations are in compliance with IREX, donor, and local government regulations.
• Supervise a team of program staff members, administration and support staff.
• Provide direction, guidance, training and coaching to staff to ensure procedures are aligned with best practices and IREX and donor rules and regulations, and are implemented effectively.
• Manage effective communication and coordination with IREX home-office team.
• Review and provide input for project documents (team workplans, monthly and quarterly reporting and other donor reports and internal progress reports).
• Travel throughout Ukraine as needed and if the security situation allows such travel.
• Assure program quality in all project deliverables to achieve expected results as well as meet or exceed donor expectations.
• Monitor workplan implementation and cooperative agreement deadlines.
• Advise local partners and serve as a technical resource.
• Provide technical support for IREX strategic initiatives or other projects as needed.
• Participate in donor calls, liaise with donor on key priorities, and identify additional opportunities for IREX.
• Represent the assigned programs for internal and external audiences, including participating in domestic and international conferences.
• Safeguard IREX’s institutional interests and minimize exposure to risk across the relevant programs that operate in or are supported by IREX staff in Ukraine.
• In coordination with Country Director, serve as a regular liaison and representative with key government officials at the county, national and potentially regional level, other donors and implementers, private sector and civil society partners.
• Review and approve selected internal financial reporting (programs that they supervise and other office costs), including bank and cash reconciliations.
• Approve program documents.
• Accountable for IREX reports for submission to local authorities and ensure that local accounting procedures comply with local regulations (programs that they supervise) in collaboration with the Deputy Country Director and Country Director.
• Accountable for compliance of office, Human Resources policies and procedures to local labor law.
• Engage with program participants and stakeholders, ensuring that all relationships are managed effectively.
• Work with the Strategy and Development Group on the preparation of proposals for new business development opportunities, cost extensions for the current programs and other relevant business opportunities.
• Hire, supervise, mentor and support locally-hired staff, including proactively identifying and recommending opportunities that make use of IREX's professional development benefits.
• Oversee compliance with IREX policy for prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation (PSEA) of children and vulnerable adults, including mandatory staff training and effective reporting mechanisms.
• Other programmatic, technical, and administrative duties as needed.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is based in Kyiv, with partial eligibility for remote work.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.