Deputy Director of Programming / Head of Programming in Yashchenk Foundation

Location: Kyivv, Ukraine

Reports to: Head of Mission 

Start Date: As soon as possible 

Contract Type: Full-time, service contract (6 months, renewable)

The Yashchenko Foundation is a Ukrainian-led humanitarian organisation delivering medical access, emergency aid, and life-saving services to conflict-affected communities across Ukraine. As the Foundation continues to expand its programme portfolio and geographic reach, we are seeking a highly qualified and committed Head of Programming to provide strategic leadership, oversight, and direction to all programmes. This role will ensure the quality, coherence, and impact of the Foundation’s programming, while strengthening coordination, compliance, and alignment with our humanitarian mandate and long-term organisational strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Organisational Cotribution

• Support the Head of Mission in implementing the Foundation’s strategic plan, ensuring programmes align with organisational mission, values, and long-term objectives.
• Serve as a member of the executive leadership team, contributing to organisational strategy, decision-making, and risk management.
• Provide strategic advice on programme priorities, geographic focus, and thematic areas of intervention.
• Represent the Foundation in senior-level coordination forums, donor meetings, and partner engagements as required.

Programme Development and Oversight

• Lead the design, planning, and implementation of all programmes across the Foundation’s portfolio, ensuring coherence and strategic alignment.
• Oversee programme quality, relevance, and impact, ensuring activities respond to identified needs and humanitarian principles.
• Ensure programmes are delivered on time, within scope, and in line with approved budgets and donor agreements.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in programme design and delivery, incorporating lessons learned and best practice.

Team Leadership and Management

• Lead, manage, and mentor the programme team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional development.
• Ensure clear roles, responsibilities, and performance objectives are in place for programme staff.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and performance management of programme personnel in coordination with HR and senior management.

Coordination and Partnerships

• Strengthen coordination with internal teams, including Operations, Logistics, Finance, MEAL, and Communications, to ensure integrated programme delivery.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with local authorities, implementing partners, UN agencies, INGOs, and civil society organisations.
• Ensure effective participation in relevant coordination mechanisms and clusters at national and sub-national levels.

MEAL

• Ensure robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks are in place across all programmes.
• Use data, reporting, and beneficiary feedback to inform decision-making and improve programme quality.
• Promote accountability to affected populations and donors through transparent and ethical programming.

Compliance, Risk and Safeguarding

• Ensure programmes comply with donor requirements, internal policies, and relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Identify and manage programme-level risks, including security, operational, financial, and reputational risks.
• Uphold safeguarding, protection, and duty-of-care standards across all programme activities.

Personal Qualities

Essential Criteria

• Significant senior-level experience in programme management within humanitarian, development, or emergency response contexts.
• Demonstrated experience leading multi-sectoral programmes in complex or conflict-affected environments.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing diverse, multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong strategic thinking and planning skills, with the ability to translate strategy into operational delivery.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, including experience working with donors, government counterparts, and international partners.
• Strong understanding of humanitarian principles, programme quality standards, and accountability frameworks.
• Fluent English, both written and spoken and Ukrainian.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience working in Ukraine.
• Experience contributing to organisational strategy at executive or senior management level.
• Familiarity with donor compliance requirements for major institutional and private donors.
• Advanced degree in international development, humanitarian affairs, public policy, or a related field.

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership and decision-making.
• Programme design and quality assurance.
• People management and team development.
• Stakeholder engagement and diplomacy.
• Risk management and problem-solving.
• Integrity, accountability, and sound judgment.

Локація: Київ, Україна

Підпорядковується: Голові місії

Дата початку роботи: Якомога швидше

Тип контракту: Повна зайнятість, сервісний контракт (6 місяців, з можливістю продовження)

Благодійний фонд «Ященко» — це українська гуманітарна організація, що забезпечує доступ до медичної допомоги, надає екстрену підтримку та життєво необхідні послуги громадам, постраждалим від конфлікту по всій Україні. У зв’язку з розширенням програмної діяльності та географії присутності Фонду ми шукаємо кваліфікованого та вмотивованого Заступника директора з програмних питань, який забезпечить стратегічне лідерство, координацію та ефективну реалізацію всіх програм Фонду відповідно до його гуманітарного мандату та довгострокової організаційної стратегії.

Основні обов’язки:

Стратегічне лідерство та організаційний внесок

• Підтримувати Керівника Місії у впровадженні стратегічного плану Фонду, забезпечуючи відповідність програм місії, цінностям та довгостроковим цілям організації.
• Бути членом виконавчої управлінської команди, роблячи внесок у формування організаційної стратегії, процеси прийняття рішень та управління ризиками.
• Надавати стратегічні рекомендації щодо програмних пріоритетів, географічного фокусу та тематичних напрямів втручання.
• Представляти Фонд на координаційних майданчиках високого рівня, зустрічах із донорами та партнерами за потреби.

Розробка та нагляд за реалізацією програм

• Очолювати розробку, планування та впровадження всіх програм у межах програмного портфеля Фонду, забезпечуючи їх узгодженість і стратегічну цілісність.
• Забезпечувати якість, релевантність та вплив програм, відповідність діяльності визначеним потребам і гуманітаprinciples.
• Ensure implementation of programs on time, within agreed scope and in accordance with approved budgets and donor agreements.
• Contribute to innovation and continuous improvement of program design and implementation, using lessons learned and best practices.

Team Leadership and Personnel Management

• Lead, coordinate, and mentor the program team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional development.
• Ensure clear definition of roles, responsibilities, and performance metrics for program employees.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and performance management of program employees in coordination with HR and senior management.

Coordination and partnerships

• Strengthen interaction with internal divisions, including Operations, Logistics, Finance, MEAL and Communications, to ensure integrated program implementation.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with local authorities, implementing partners, UN agencies, international and national NGOs, as well as civil society organizations.
• Ensure effective participation of the Fund in relevant coordination mechanisms and clusters at the national and subnational levels.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

• Ensure effective monitoring and evaluation systems are in place in all programs Fund.
• Use data, reporting and feedback from beneficiaries to make informed management decisions and improve program quality.
• Promote accountability to affected communities and donors through transparent and ethical program implementation.

Compliance risk management and safeguarding

• Ensure compliance of programs with donor requirements, internal policies and applicable legal and regulatory norms.
• Identify and manage program risks, including security, operational, financial and reputational.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, protection standards and duty of care within all program activities.

Candidate Requirements

Mandatory Criteria

• Significant leadership experience in program management in a humanitarian, development or emergency context.
• Proven experience leading multi-sectoral programs in complex or conflict environmentsvah.
• Proven managerial experience in developing multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary teams.
• Developed strategic and planning skills with the ability to transform strategy into effective operational implementation.
• High level of stakeholder interaction skills, including donors, government authorities and international partners.
• Thorough understanding of humanitarian principles, program quality standards and accountability systems.
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian (oral and written).

Desired criteria

• Previous work experience in Ukraine.
• Experience of participating in the formation of organizational strategy at the level of executive or senior management.
• Knowledge of donor requirements regarding compliance with procedures for large institutional and private donors.
• Availability of higher education in the international sphere

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership and decision making
• Program design and quality assurance
• Personnel management and team development
• Interaction with stakeholders and diplomacy
• Risk management and resolution problems
• Integrity, accountability and balanced professional judgment