Ukraine - Deputy Country Director for Programs (M/F) - Kiev

Country: Ukraine Organization: Solidarités International Closing date: 30 Sep 2026 About us Desired start date: 01/11/2026 Duration of the mission: 12 months Location: Kiev SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association which, since more than 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their basic needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly committed to the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the leading cause of death in the world, SI's interventions provide expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in 26 countries, the SI teams – 3200 people in total, made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at HQ, and a few volunteers - intervene with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultural norms. About the mission Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, SI has been responding to the needs of the population living in areas under Government control. While programming in 2022 and 2023 was—rightly—focused on immediate emergency response, the year 2024 marked a transition toward a more balanced approach, combining both emergency and early recovery interventions. SI’s main strategic objective for 2026 is to strengthen and clearly position its comparative advantage in Ukraine. The ambition is for SI to build a recognized and demonstrable expertise in WASH and Shelter. The program strategy for 2026 therefore focuses on two core sectors—WASH and Shelter—and is structured around two strategic axes: 1. Respond to both acute and chronic emergencies 2. Contribute to creating the conditions for dignified return or sustainable stay in stable areas through a recovery-oriented approach To maximize the impact of its interventions, SI aims to further enhance sectoral integration and promote localized approaches. In 2026, SI’s country program in Ukraine is expected to operate with a budget of approximately 10 million euros, with three field bases (Mykolaiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv), one coordination office in Kyiv, and a total of 110 staff, including around 15 expatriates. The main donors in 2026 are CDCS, AFD, and ECHO. Additional donors have been approached to expand and diversify the portfolio further, in line with SI’s programmatic priorities. About the job General objective: In close collaboration with the Country Director (CD), the Deputy Country Director for Programs (DCD-P) provides strategic leadership and oversight to ensure the effective development, quality, and accountability of Solidarités International’s programmes. The DCD-P drives the strengthening of programme design and implementation, ensuring interventions are evidence-based, need-driven, contextually adaptable, and conflict-sensitive. The DCD-P ensures coherence across all programme activities and guarantees that adequate monitoring systems and resources are in place to deliver impactful and timely responses. In addition, the DCD-P ensures full compliance with Solidarités International’s internal processes and standards across HR, Finance, and Logistics. As a key member of the senior management team, the DCD-P actively contributes to the definition and evolution of the mission’s overall strategy. The main challenges: HR: Challenges on a possible rapid impact of conscription of male employees Security: Contex-related constraints may affect SI capacity to deliver Strategic programming: Corner stone position with a multitude of interlocutors with a need to enhance SI visibility, external positionning and partnership with other stakeholders (L/NNGOs, consortia...). Key period for the 3 to 5 years stategy for SI interventions in Ukraine. Priorities for the 2/3 first months: Programme Strategy: Roll-ouf of the 2027-2029 Program Strategy in alignment with the overall Mission strategy Partnership: Support the development of the partnership focus of the mission Continue developping and harmonizing SI tools and methodology together with Coordination and other bases Security constraints: Kyiv is in a security level 2 out of 5 according to SI grading, with fairly flexible security rules given the overall security context of Ukraine and the rules applicable at base level. Regular air alerts and attacks from Russian Forces pose security threats and can affect sleep and moral and the situation can further worsen during specific period. There is an official nationwide curfew from midnight to 5 am, enforced by government that is to be strictly adhered to. Your profile DIPLOMAS AND EXPERIENCE Master in humanitarian action, development, international law or any other technical area related to the humanitarian sector • Experience in the humanitarian sector : 5+ years • Experience on a similar position : 0-2 years SKILLS TECHNICAL SKILLS 1. Experience in leading program development across multiple bases, multi-sector with multiple donors 2. Skills in external representation and ability to represent SI in high-level meetings with donors, humanitarian coordination mechanisms 3. Experience in team management as well as partnership management TRANSVERSAL SKILLS 1. Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures 2. Analytic mindset 3. Training or experience in protection mainstreaming LANGUAGES 1. Full Engish proficiency 2. Ukrainian or russian is a plus SI will offer you A salaried position: According to experience, starting from EUR 3080 gross per month (2800 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of USD 700. SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate's country of origin and the place of assignment. Breaks: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked. Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded. LIVING CONDITIONS: Accomodation in individual apartment with the housing package offered, with a prior security validation required. Possibility to be accommodated in SI GH if prefered. How to apply Application process Do you recognize yourself in this description? If yes, please send us your CV and cover letter: Submit your application - SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL Please note that CV-only applications will not be considered, and that the vacancy may close before the deadline. Thank you for your understanding. To learn more about Sl: www.solidarites.org -- Solidarités International (SI) is determined to prevent and fight all type of abuse – all act of exploitation, abuse and/or sexual harassment (SEAH) against members of beneficiary communities or collaborators, fraud, corruption, violation of persons and/or property, funding of activities harmful to human rights – that could be perpetrated in the frame of its interventions. SI implements a zero-tolerance policy regarding acts of abuse, notably acts of SEAH. Solidarités International is an equitable employer committed to find all forms of discrimination. SI will ever ask for any remuneration to take part in a recruitment process.