Country Director in Ukraine

The Country Director leads ERC’s operations in Ukraine, providing strategic direction to ensure programmes are impactful, evidence-based, and aligned with organizational priorities. The CD designs and oversees country strategy, represents ERC with donors and partners, and drives sustainable programme growth. Working closely with Head Office, the Country Director ensures strong coordination, promotes innovation and digital solutions, and leads a high-performing Country Management Team. This position requires a strong people leader with solid programme expertise in cash, livelihoods and protection, with advanced digital literacy skills to drive effective humanitarian response.Main tasks Programmatic leadership and oversight - 30%* Ensure overall quality, relevance, and impact of programmes across sectors (MPCA, livelihoods, protection). * Set clear programme priorities, approve target populations, and validate key implementation approaches to ensure alignment with ERC country strategy, needs assessments, and donor requirements. * Ensure that appropriate systems, processes, and oversight mechanisms are in place so that programmes meet agreed humanitarian standards (including Sphere and accountability to affected populations). * Oversee integration of MEAL, accountability, and learning into programming. * Guide proposal development on strategic level, ensuring coherence with country strategy.Strategic leadership - 25%* Lead the development and implementation of country strategy, ensuring alignment with ERC global and regional priorities. * Define strategic programmatic priorities based on needs analysis, donor trends, and contextual developments. * Lead the expansion and sustainability of ERC’s country portfolio by securing funding, strengthening donor relationships, and positioning ERC as a credible and relevant humanitarian actor in-country. * Define priority sectors, geographic areas, and target groups for ERC programmes, and guide decisions on when to scale up, adapt, or phase out interventions based on needs, evidence, and funding opportunities. * Promote the use of innovation and digital solutions where they enhance programme effectiveness, accountability, and feedback from affected populations, ensuring effective feedback loops with the Head Office.Donor representation and external relations - 25%* Act as primary representative of ERC Ukraine to donors, government authorities, UN agencies and clusters, media and external stakeholders. * Build and maintain relationships with key donors, in collaboration with Head of Donor and Partner Relations identify and pursue new funding sources, and ensure the country portfolio is not dependent on a limited number of donors. * Define country-level fundraising priorities, approve proposal directions, and lead negotiations with donors on funding amounts, conditions, and partnerships in collaboration with the Head Office Donor & Partner Relations team. * Represent ERC in key clusters, working groups, and NGO coordination bodies (in particular CWG, FSL cluster, Wash cluster, Protection and SNFI WGs), and actively promote ERC’s priorities, programmes, and positions.Team leadership - 20%* Provide overall leadership of the Country Office and Country Management Team. * Ensure clear decision-making structures and effective information flow within the country management team to support timely and accountable leadership. * Ensure effective coordination and information sharing between programme, operations, MEAL, and finance functions to support coherent planning and decision-making.Expectations* Minimum of Master’s degree in a relevant field (humanitarian assistance, economics, business management etc). * Minimum of 3 years of previous field experience in a humanitarian (I)NGO, experience with Ukraine context is a strong advantage. * Minimum of 3 years of previous experience in a managerial position. * High-level language skills in English; language skills of local languages (Ukrainian and/or Russian) are an asset. * Familiarity with digital tools, innovation in humanitarian response, and systems-based approaches. * Strong interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to lead multicultural teams and work across HO/field settings. * Ability to deal with stressful situations and environments. * Ability to create and maintain a productive and safe working environment in line with ERC Code of Conduct.What we offer* Salary up to 4500 EUR (before any taxes); * Up to 32 annual leave days (calendar days, not work days); * Health insurance, life insurance; * For international staff: 12-week R&R cycle with additional 5 leave days per cycle; * Dedicated team of experts and humanitarians working in our offices in Kyiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Kharkiv; * A collaborative and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued; * We welcome all people of different races, genders, religions, colours, national or ethnic origins, languages, marital statuses, sexual orientations, ages, socio-economic statuses, (dis)abilities, political convictions, or any other distinguishing feature in our workplace.HOW TO APPLYSubmit your CV and cover letter through Estonian Refugee Council's HR platform by 5th of April, 2026: https://hr.pagulasabi.ee/en/ukraine-cd