Senior Field Manager

ROLE PURPOSE:

The Senior Field Manager provides programme delivery, budget planning and expenditure monitoring, contextual analysis, external engagement, partnership management in line with donor requirements and SCI policies. The role contributes to programme design and budget development and plays a key role in partnership engagement and coordination with stakeholder.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

• Input into the design and manage day to day implementation of programme activities in the areas, effectively using the guidance of Head of Preogrammes and assistance of technical sector advisors and operational support staff.

• Manage multiple grants across multiple sectors, ensuring that projects and reports are delivered according to SC and donor contractual requirements, within the agreed timescale and budget.

• Ensure effective award management cycle is in place at field level and that implementation is compliant donor / SCI policies and procedures.

• Maintain excellent awareness and understanding of the scope of awards, budgets, and programme targets within the area, monitoring progress and intervening where corrective action is required.

• Participate in Awards Review Meetings at both Area Office and Country Office levels, provide contextual insights, suggest adjustment is any, and follow up on action points assigned to the Field Manager.

• Support on needs assessments and comprehensively understand the needs of affected populations in Kharkiv and Sumy Oblast.

• Provide contextual information on needs, development, trends and relevant budget information to the Head of Programmes, NBD and Finance for new business development.

• In coordination with Awards & Partnerships, support Programme Operations teams in developing and reviewing partnership agreements.

• Participate in Member meetings, provide program, security and context updates, and ensure follow-up on agreed action items.

• Ensure that the minimum standards of humanitarian relief are maintained in accordance with the Sphere Charter, the Core Humanitarian Standard and Humanitarian Principles

• Promote an enabling work environment that encourages collaboration, transparency, and staff wellbeing across both field offices.

• Facilitate effective coordination between Field Offices, Area Office, and Country Office teams for smooth and integrated operations.

• Hold regular bi-weekly staff meetings, maintain records, and follow up on progress and agreed actions.

• Support on recruitment and ensure that programme/projects are adequately staffed.

Capacity Building and Internal Coordination:

• Ensure team have a comprehensive understanding of award cycle management and donor compliance.

• In coordination with PDQ, Supply Chain, Finance, MEAL, HR & Admin, Safeguarding, Risk & Compliance address capacity building needs for the staff.

• Oversee and support capacity strengthening initiatives for partners, ensuring that they are well-positioned to deliver high-quality, compliant, and contextually relevant interventions.

• Strengthen coordination and accountability within a matrix and remote management environment, reinforcing SCI's culture of shared ownership and collective problem-solving.

• Performance management of direct reports and promoting approach to capacity building (70% on-the-job learning, 20% formal training, 10% mentoring).

• In coordination with HR & Admin, facilitate staff wellbeing initiatives

Representation & Advocacy:

• Represent Save the Children in coordination mechanisms, including but not limited to HOCG, ABC, and government-led coordination groups, ensuring SCI's priorities and positions are effectively communicated.

• In Coordination with Area Director and Partnership and & Awards support partnership engagement in Kharkiv and Sumy, including identification, mapping, and assessment of new and existing partners.

• Identify opportunities and material to contribute to communications and media work, acting as a spokesperson when required.

• Lead in partnership management at the Kharkiv and Sumy Field Offices

• Strengthen engagement and partnerships with local authorities, government services, including education departments, social and communal services.

Safety, Security, and Risk Management

• With Safety and Security teams in Kharkiv and Sumy, ensuring that security risk assessments, contingency plans, standard operating procedures, HERPs are up to date and implemented.

• Ensure programme design and implementation are informed by access, risk, and security analyses.

• Review and approve Area Movement Plans, Travel Movement Requests, and visitor-related security arrangements.

• Oversee all visitor management processes, logistical and security arrangements are properly coordinated and communicated.

• Maintain excellent situational awareness and communicate contextual and security updates promptly to the AD.

• Promote partner capacity building on safety and security, ensuring partners are trained and resourced to meet minimum standards/requirement.

• Uphold SCI's duty of care to the staff, visitors, and beneficiaries.

• Lead the implementation of corrective and preventive measures following security incidents

General:

• Comply with Save the Children policies and practice with respect to child safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, equal opportunities and other relevant policies and procedures.

• Ensure the security, health and well-being of staff and that staff management and other processes and policies and systems reflect SCA's principles of equity and fairness.

• Develop a solid understanding of SCI systems and processes.

• Take a leading role in building team cohesiveness within the Kharkiv and Sumy Field Office and across the East Area Offices

COMPETENCIES FOR THIS ROLE:

Working effectively with others

Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of people and perspectives; knows when to lead and when to follow and how to ensure effective cross-boundary working.

Networking

• Builds and uses sustainable relationships and networks to support the work of Save the Children.

Problem Solving and Decision-Making

Takes effective, considered and timely decisions by gathering and evaluating relevant information from within or outside the organization.

Innovating and Adapting

Develops and implements innovative solutions to adapt and succeed in ever-changing and uncertain global and working environments.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Essential

• 6 years of leadership experience at least 3 years in humanitarian or development sector.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public and/or Business Administration). Master's degree is preferred.

• Ability and willingness for frequent travels between Field Offices.

• Proven experience in external engagement, partnership management, and representation with local stakeholders.

• Ability and willingness for frequent travel between Field offices and program sites.

• Strong understanding of operational planning, financial oversight, and risk management.

• Solid contextual understanding of Eastern Ukraine, especially on Sums'ka and Kharkivs'ka oblast

• Budget management experience

• Security management experience in insecure environments

• Ability to write clear and well-argued assessment and project reports

• Excellent communication skills and a proactive communicator

• Strong influencing skills and experience in advocacy

• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy

• A high level of written and spoken English and Ukrainian

• Multi-site management experience

• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.

• Commitment to the aims and principles of SC. In particular, a good understanding of the SC mandate and child focus and an ability to ensure this continues to underpin our support

• Self-starter who can organise and prioritize their time with numerous competing demands

• Comfortable working within a matrix-management environment