Program Director FCDO SHARP (Ukraine)

Job Description

About The Job: Lutheran World Relief (LWR), as part of the Corus family, is seeking a Program Director with significant experience in Humanitarian Response, including activities to protect and support civilians at risk in Ukraine, such as evacuations, gender-based violence protection and response, and mental health support for a 3-year FCDO/UKAid funded program in Ukraine. As part of the larger Strengthening Humanitarian Assistance and Response to Protection Risks in Ukraine project (SHARP), this component focuses on reducing exposure to risks, alleviating the effects of violence and other forms of harm and promoting awareness and respect for International Humanitarian Law.

The Program Director will serve as the primary liaison with FCDO, the Government of Ukraine, other implementing partners, LWR headquarters, and relevant project stakeholders fostering collaborative working relationships. S/he will ensure the project’s goals, objectives, and strategy are successfully achieved and that contractual requirements are met on time and within budget. S/he will be responsible for directing the project team with an integrated vision, applying effective leadership and strategic planning skills, management experience, outstanding interpersonal skills, and strong written and oral communication skills. The Program Director will be responsible for supervision of the day-to-day work of staff, oversea project implementation to ensure quality programming. The Program Director will also ensure that all management systems, from technical to monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) to finance, actively support timely and accurate project reporting and cost effectiveness for successful implementation of the project. The Program Director is also responsible for ensuring compliance with LWR’s policies and procedures and FCDO rules and regulations, including responsibility for ensuring sub-awardee compliance and monitoring the quality of program implementation.

The competencies required to be successful in this position include previous work in high-risk humanitarian contexts, preferably in the protection of war-affected, vulnerable populations, mental health support initiatives, and IHL, and experience supporting and managing subrecipient awardees (i.e NGOs, CSOs,) in a donor-supported program. It also includes personnel and project management skills; the ability to motivate and lead teams; and the demonstrated ability to operate at advanced levels of authority and accountability for achieving results.

The position will be based in Ukraine and will report to the Program Director. The Program Director will be expected to visit project sites periodically. Actual hiring is contingent upon signed agreement and FCDO approval.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Management and Technical Leadership 60%
• Provide overall management, strategic direction, and technical leadership to the project to achieve expected results within budget and timeframe. Oversee the project’s technical components, ensuring high-quality deliverables, timely reports, and successful execution of activities.
• Oversee implementing partners, providing guidance on technical and programmatic issues, and ensuring effective integration of cross-cutting issues (e.g., gender, learning agendas) into project implementation.
• Lead and manage project teams (technical, program, finance, and operational staff), ensuring tasks, deliverables, and responsibilities are met. This includes hiring, supervising, mentoring, and coaching project staff to foster a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Direct and oversee the preparation of annual work plans, project activity updates, and other project-related communication and reporting materials, ensuring alignment with project goals and timelines.
• Donor and Stakeholder Engagement 20%
• Serve as principal liaison to FCDO and the Government of Ukraine, ensuring high levels of coordination with key stakeholders (including partner organizations at the national and subnational levels) on administrative, financial, and programmatic matters.
• Liaise with FCDO partners, other donors, and implementing partners to ensure coordination and harmonization with relevant response mechanisms, private sector engagement, and donor-funded activities in Ukraine.
• Ensure compliance with FCDO rules and regulations, coordinating with the headquarters grants and contracts team to manage project compliance.
• Learning and Thought Leadership 20%
• Represent the project in all technical, policy, and programmatic fora at all levels (local, national, and international), identifying lessons learned and best practices for external dissemination. Actively contribute to evidence generation, publications, and conference presentations.
• Support localization efforts through capacity building, leadership mentoring, and transition planning with national partners and staff
  

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public health, international development, humanitarian affairs or related field.
• 10+ years of experience managing and leading international development projects in humanitarian contexts including at least 5 years in conflict -affected or active emergency settings, with a strong track record in donor-funded projects. Experience working in FCDO project is strongly preferred.
• Unwavering commitment to safeguarding, anti-fraud, child protection, and humanitarian principles in line with FCDO and LWR values and policies.
• Proven ability to build relationships with government agencies, donors (e.g., FCDO, USAID), and private sector stakeholders.
• Strong staff leadership and team management skills, with experience mentoring and guiding multi-disciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of FCDO frameworks and localizing programs in Ukraine is highly desirable.
• Excellent communication skills in English (written and oral) required. Additionally, proficient communication skills in Ukrainian strongly preferred but not required.
• This position requires regular in-country travel to field offices and operational sites, including high risk areas, subject to security clearance.

About the Organization

About Corus: Corus International is the parent of a family of world-class organizations working to deliver the holistic, lasting solutions needed to end extreme poverty once and for all. We are a global leader in international development, with 150 years of combined experience across our brands. Our nonprofit and for-profit subsidiaries include IMA World Health and its fundraising brand Corus World Health, Lutheran World Relief, CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Brands. Our more than 800 employees around the globe are experts in their fields and dedicated to helping the world's most vulnerable people break the cycle of poverty and lead healthy lives. Further details about the organization can be found at: https://corusinternational.org