Country Director in Washington, District of Columbia at IREX

POSITION SUMMARY

IREX is seeking a strategic, innovative, and collaborative Country Director (CD) to lead our Ukraine portfolio across education recovery, workforce development, local partner strengthening, community resilience, IDP integration, and veterans' reintegration. Reporting directly to the Chief Impact Officer, the CD will serve as IREX’s senior representative in Ukraine, stewarding organizational strategy, external engagement, donor diversification, operational excellence, and staff and partner support.

This position requires the following:

• Collaborative Problem-Solving. The ability to bring together diverse stakeholders and build trust in a nonpartisan way to create practical solutions, especially in complex or contentious environments.
• Results-Driven Action. A proactive orientation that moves quickly from ideas to execution, pilots and tests solutions, and maintains disciplined focus on delivering measurable, high-impact outcomes—redirecting efforts when results don't materialize.
• Intellectual Curiosity. A commitment to learning, staying informed about emerging trends and evidence, and applying insights to solve problems in innovative ways.
• Embrace Change. Comfort with ambiguity and organizational transformation; the ability to adapt to shifting contexts, pivot strategies, and remain effective during transitions.
• External Engagement. Active relationship-building with partners, customers, and stakeholders and the capacity to articulate IREX's value proposition and represent the organization authentically in diverse settings.
• Market Responsiveness. The ability to design solutions based on what customers and partners need rather than merely what we can fund.

GENERAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management & Oversight

• Provide leadership and oversight to ensure that all programs in Ukraine are strategically aligned, well‑coordinated, compliant, and delivering high‑quality results.
• Ensure cohesive planning, implementation, and strategic alignment across the portfolio.
• Oversee program performance with teams, ensuring compliance, quality standards, and excellence in delivery of results.
• Lead teams in addressing risks and challenges with a solution-oriented mindset.

Strategy, Donor Engagement & Business Growth

• Monitor national and regional developments to inform strategic planning and organizational positioning.
• Lead a comprehensive donor engagement strategy with a diverse range of international partners, including bilateral and multilateral donors, European and U.S. government institutions, philanthropic organizations, and private sector actors.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities aligned with IREX’s strengths and Ukraine’s recovery needs.
• Forge and sustain partnerships with national and local government, local organizations, private sector and international donors.
• Guide development of high-quality concept notes, proposals, and consortium strategies.

Representation, Partnerships & External Relations

• Serve as IREX’s senior representative in Ukraine and maintain cross-sectoral relationships.
• Strengthen IREX’s profile through strategic communications, media engagement, and thought leadership.
• Oversee strategic communications and ensure compelling visibility of IREX’s work.
• Advocate for IREX’s expertise across education, youth, workforce development, civic engagement, livelihoods, IDP integration and veteran reintegration.

Finance and Operational Oversight

• Collaborate closely with the Deputy Country Director (DCD), providing strategic support and reinforcement to ensure all financial, operational, procurement, and compliance procedures align with Ukrainian law and IREX policies.
• Support the DCD in overseeing financial stewardship and promoting cost‑effective use of resources across the Ukraine portfolio.
• Approve and sign documents, contracts, and agreements on behalf of IREX Ukraine, as delegated and in coordination with the DCD.
• Open, operate, and close IREX bank accounts as needed; maintain authorized signatory responsibilities.
• Ensure sound office management, security protocols, and duty‑of‑care measures, in support of the DCD’s operational oversight.
• Maintain legal authority (e.g., Power of Attorney) for required Government of Ukraine transactions.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of demonstrated leadership experience.
• Substantial professional experience working in Ukraine with a proven ability to navigate complex political, operational, and security environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex, multi‑sector programs in challenging environments, including managing and motivating large, multi‑disciplinary teams under pressure.
• Strong experience working with diverse international donors, including U.S. Government agencies, European Union institutions, bilateral donors, multilaterals, philanthropic organizations, and private sector partners.
• Proven track record in pipeline development and new business efforts, including leadership of major proposal processes and consortium building.
• Proven leadership in working with local partners and positioning them as primary development actors.
• Strong budgeting, financial oversight, and strategic planning skills.
• Excellent leadership, communication, representational, and organizational skills.
• Deep understanding of the Ukrainian context required.
• Fluency in English required; knowledge of Ukrainian is highly preferred.
• Must Demonstrate unrestricted work authorization in Ukraine