Head of Programme Support Unit Ukraine

Females are highly encouraged to apply. 

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organization's values. To be dedicated, innovative, inclusive and accountable are attitudes and beliefs that shall guide our actions and relationships. 

NRC has been working to support conflict- and displacement-affected people in Ukraine since 2014, scaling up the response following the escalation of the conflict in February 2022. 

In 2024 NRC supported close to 300,000 people across Ukraine through the provision of legal aid, protection, education, shelter, water and sanitation, livelihoods and multi-purpose cash assistance interventions. NRC works in areas with high severity of needs in the east, south and north of the country. NRC works increasingly with local actors, ranging from local NGOs, but also with local authorities, the private sector, academia, among others, to ensure the sustainability of the response.

The Head of Programme Support Unit (HOPSU) plays a key leadership role in ensuring the quality and effectiveness of NRC Ukraine's programme delivery. The position oversees core support functions including Partnerships, MEAL (monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning), Grants Management and Safe and Inclusive Programming (SIP). Working closely with programme and support teams, the HOPSU ensures that NRC's interventions are evidence-based, strategically aligned, and compliant with both organizational and donor standards. This role is central to driving programme quality, accountability, learning and innovation in a dynamic and complex operational context.

Generic responsibilities:

1. Compliance and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures 
2. Line management of Programme Support Unit staff 
3. Provision of programme support unit inputs to the NRC Ukraine Country Strategy and related plans; ensure programme support unit objectives are aligned to regional and global priorities and strategies
4. Support in the development of a multi-year funding strategy, programme forecasts and identification of funding opportunities, taking particular account of changing donor priorities
5. Oversee key Project Cycle Management (PCM) processes, training and support initiatives

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support the roll out of NRC strategy for engagement with local actors, while overseeing the partnerships portfolio scale-up and ensuring the quality, effectiveness, and accountability of partnership management
• Contribute to strategic engagement with donors, in line with organizational priorities 
• Support the effective functioning of the Grants department, including project cycle management processes and compliance
• Oversee the development of high-quality donor proposals and comprehensive reporting in line with donor requirements 
• Ensuring the effective design, implementation, and quality assurance of MEAL systems across all programmes
• Oversee the analysis and dissemination of evidence and learning to improve programme design, impact, and strategic planning

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position. As the above responsibilities are just a snapshot from the Job description.

What you will bring:

1. Competencies

Generic professional competencies for this position: 

• University degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Social Science, or a related field
• Minimum 4 years' experience from a senior programme management position, in a humanitarian/recovery context
• Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented results related to the position's responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, Ukrainian and or Russian language is an asset

Context/Specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of the context in Ukraine is an asset
• Knowledge of donor landscape, priorities and requirements
• Proven record in developing and managing strategic partnerships 
• Experience of working in integrated programming approaches 
• Experience of working on, coordinating or leading consortia or other forms of collaboration
• Experience of mainstreaming evidence-based approaches to enhance programme quality throughout the project cycle
• Experience in MEAL systems and approaches, and accountability mechanisms and frameworks

• Duty station: Kyiv, Ukraine
• Salary/benefits: grade 10 of NRC's pay scale. 
• Travel: 30%
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

• Internal candidates only: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity MarketPlace.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education. 
• Incompletely filled applications will not be considered. 
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.
• This position is open for all nationalities. 
• If you have any questions about this role, please email ESA Recruitment  with the job title as the subject line.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• Do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.
• Join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.
• Be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity.

Learn more about NRC

Learn more about Ukraine