Head of Programme (HoP)

Job Title:                                           Head of Programme (HoP)

Department:                                            Programming

Division:                                                    Programme management

Duty Station:                                     Odesa, Ukraine (with frequent travel to all NP programme sites)

Line Manager:                                         Head of Mission, Global Head of Programming

Line Management Responsibility:  Programme Team (Senior Programme Manager, Programme Development Officer, other programmes development and management positions as recruited).

Position Type:                                   Full-Time

Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is a dynamic, international non-governmental organisation. We work with people affected by violent conflicts to enhance their security and dignity through Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP). We work to reduce violence, protect civilians in countries affected by violent conflict and its aftermath, and help transform the world’s response to conflict situations. 

Overview:

NP first established a presence in Ukraine in 2014/2015 working on peacebuilding and conflict mediation. NP has had a sustained presence in Ukraine since April 2022. NP occupies a unique space in the protection response in Ukraine; simultaneously providing direct protection to at-risk civilians and providing hands-on support to front-line volunteer collectives to directly contribute to the sustainability and safety of their actions.

Job Summary:

The Head of Programme (HoP) joins the Head of Mission (HoM) and the Head of Operations and Security (HoOps/Sec) to provide co-leadership for all existing and emerging programmes in Ukraine. The HoP is responsible for ensuring the country programme is coherent, well-planned, and in line with the NP's global mandate. Together with the HoM and the HoOps/Sec, the HoP will continually monitor and assess the Ukraine programme to ensure their effectiveness and adherence to agreed programme deliverables, budgets and general commitments. In this context, they will provide operational, strategic planning and budget related support and guidance to the programme staff to implement civilian protection and violence-prevention programming for those affected by violent conflict in Ukraine. As NP has a dynamic and expanding country programme in Ukraine, the HoP will have a strong role in programme and project development (fundraising) and donor engagement.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Commitment to NP Principles

• Demonstrate a commitment to NP’s mandate and principles
• Maintain a positive image of the organisation
• All NP employees are expected to work in accordance with the organisation’s guiding principles:

       - Nonviolence

       - Non-partisanship

       - Primacy of local actors

       - Civilian-to-civilian action

These principles and beliefs shall guide our actions and relationships in protecting civilians in violent conflicts through unarmed strategies.

2. Program implementation and Management

• Oversee the Programme Team responsible for direct program implementation.
• Provide technical direction to NP team, and ensure high technical quality programme implementation.
• Coordinate and line manage Programme Managers who lead NP project implementation (activities, budget and project documentation) in the East and in the South of Ukraine in line with proposals, strategies and donor requirements.
• Provide regular progress reports to HoM and the Senior Management Team, highlighting operational successes and challenges.
• Ensure that projects target communities most in need of protection, explore and assess new and better ways to assist.
• Develop and manage project budget, in cooperation with HoM, in-country Senior Management Team, and Programme Managers.
• Develop and oversee Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) efforts and ensure that the program teams are collecting and analysing information to inform programming. In the absence of dedicated staff, develop and roll out M&E tools as needed.
• Oversee any technical program support staff, develop technical tools for programme teams and participate actively in relevant technical working groups in the country.
• Act as the budget holder for programme budgets, in coordination with HoM and HoOps/Sec and ensure that donor. budgets are followed and modified as needed. Engage in the budget monitoring process and ensure that forecasting is done promptly and accurately.
  
  

3. Grants Management and Donor Engagement

• Act, along with HoM, as key communications focal point for donor engagement. Maintain donor relationships and ensure that all communication is professional and timely.
• Oversee the Grants/Programme Development team and ensure that all grants management processes are conducted on time. Ensure the involvement of programme staff in grants management processes as needed.
• Oversee grant reporting and other donor submissions, including situation updates, context analysis, etc.
• Ensure all donor compliance requirements are being met and coach members of the programs team in order to ensure they are aware of and complying with donor rules.
  
  

4. Program Development and strategic direction 

• Contribute to the development of country strategies, initiate and participate in the development of relevant NP projects
• Lead on strategic programme development, producing new ideas and concepts for Unarmed Civilian Protection work in Ukraine.
• Engage with donors on new programming, tracking trends in the donor environment and seeking out opportunities for NP in Ukraine.
• Lead proposal development processes for new programmes and required revisions, ensuring the production of high-quality concept notes and proposals.
• Engage in NP global programme discussion and activities and contribute to the global development of Unarmed Civilian Protection programming.
• Act as a member of the in-country Senior Management Team, and support the strategic vision of the NP Ukraine programme.
  
  

5. Leadership and Management / Team Development & Care

• Nurture a positive supervisory culture in NPUA and support the development and roll-out of policies and procedures as needed.
• Coach programs staff on management skills and when requested support on HR and management issues that arise in the field teams.
• Provide regular support and supervision to the line-managed staff, including guidance in formulating individual work plans on a weekly and monthly basis.
• In coordination with the HoM, facilitate line-managed programme staff’s performance evaluation based on agreed project work plans and deliverables, and/or job description.
• Identify staffing needs within the programme team, ensure proper budgeting for needed staff and in coordination with HoM, lead recruitment hiring and training processes for new program staff.
• Ensure capacity building of project staff and transfer key skills.
• Support the development of capacity and responsibilities of NP national staff in Ukraine.
  
  

6. Representation and Communication

• Represent NP in relevant coordination, advocacy, and governmental meetings/fora as needed.
• Enhance NP’s profile among relevant stakeholders, including with donors, government actors, civil society and other NGOs.
• Support programmatic input into relevant advocacy efforts, whether in-country or at a global level.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge and Experience:

• University degree desired (but not required), preferably at master’s level or equivalent in social sciences, international development or related area of studies.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a senior humanitarian position, with line management and project management responsibilities.
• Previous experience from working as a manager in a complex emergency context.
• Previous experience working with Unarmed Civilian Protection.
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in engagement and building relationship with armed groups, military and with local and national government officials and NGOs.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse conflict, security and political contexts.
• Proven experience in successful donor fundraising and grant management, including proposal development for institutional donors.
• Understanding of conflict and peace building concepts and international human rights and humanitarian law.
• A strong understanding of the political and security context in Ukraine.
• Strong communication, coordination and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile. 

Skills and Competencies:

• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Good analytical and communications skills, written and oral.
• A positive problem-solving approach.
• Enthusiasm to learn and apply new skills.
• Good interpersonal and cross-cultural communication and team-working skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and under difficult conditions.
  
• Experience with start-up or expansion of new programmes.
• Advanced computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.
• Knowledge of Ukrainian/Russian an asset.

Working Conditions:

• This position will have to travel to field sites, including locations with limited access to communications.
• NP missions are often in a complex security environment where conditions change rapidly; the ability to manage in insecure environments is essential to success in this position.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit a CV (max 2 pages) and Cover Letter (1 page), through our website detailing their experience and how they qualify for the role. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Position will be open until Wednesday, 16th July 2025
• Candidates may be selected before the closing date, apply early
• As part of the recruitment process, shortlisted candidates may be asked to complete a written assignment before participating in an interview.

SPECIAL NOTICE:

Nonviolent Peaceforce is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.

Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, communities we work with, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance and complies with best practices in the Humanitarian and Development sector. NP expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We prioritise ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. NP also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

NO FEE

We never ask for payment as part of our selection process, and we always contact candidates via our corporate accounts and platforms. If you are approached for payment, this is likely to be fraudulent. Please check whether the role you are interested in is posted here on our website.