Program manager(s) in CARE

Location: Dnipro (Kharkiv)

Duration: till 31 December 2026

Starting date: TBD

Compensation and benefits: 3,410.68 € - 3,824.10 €, 200 € (Risk Allowance), Private Medical Insurance, PSS Support.

CARE

CARE is among the world’s largest international non-governmental humanitarian relief and development confederations. CARE was founded in 1945 by American charity organizations in to overcome the food crisis 

in Europe after World War II.  It has a confederation organizational structure. Now country offices work in more than 110 countries of the world. CARE's humanitarian aid reached about 200 million people. The organization pays special attention to the expansion of women's rights and opportunities CARE strictly adheres to the principles of a human dignity, gender equality, non discrimination, and equal access to humanitarian services for all people, regardless of sex, age, gender identity, political or religious affiliation, or origin.

CARE’s vision is to seek a world of hope, inclusion, and social justice; where poverty has been overcome and people live in dignity and security. To maximise the impact of our work and to create more equitable and sustainable structures we work closely with civil society, government institutions and the private sector in our partner countries. We attach particular importance to working with local project partners, especially with organisations that promote 

women‘s rights and opportunities. They are an important   guarantee of sustainable success and that our activities 

are aligned with the real needs of the people. Together we  develop solutions, involve local institutions such as

authorities, governments, local councils or informal groups   such as women‘s groups. In this way, we ensure that local expertise is always at the forefront and guides our actions. We work with partners who share our vision and goals. The  relationship with our partners is built on the firm foundation of our values, mutual trust, transparency, equality and the will to learn from each other. 

Context in Ukraine

CARE launched its humanitarian operations in Ukraine in March 2022, in direct response to the full-scale invasion and the rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis. As millions of people were forced to flee their homes and critical infrastructure came under attack, CARE mobilized to provide immediate, life-saving assistance to conflict-affected communities across the country. In the initial phase of the response, CARE focused on meeting urgent needs through a multi-sectoral humanitarian approach, including cash assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), protection, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and shelter support. From the outset, protection and dignity were central to all interventions, guiding programme design and delivery across sectors. 

Since 2022, CARE-supported programmes have reached more than 1.5 million people across Ukraine.  

CARE UKRAINE

CARE’s response in Ukraine is implemented primarily through partnerships with Ukrainian civil society organisations, including women-led groups and women’s rights organisations that are deeply rooted in the communities they serve. More than 70% of CARE’s funding in Ukraine is channelled through national partners, strengthening local leadership and enabling sustainable, community-driven humanitarian action. Since the start of its operations in the country, CARE has partnered with over 20 national organisations, including Stabilization Support Services,  Girls, YurFem, East SOS, Avalyst, Women’s Perspective, and others.  

A defining feature of CARE’s work in Ukraine is its leadership in advancing gender-responsive humanitarian action. Together with the NGO Girls, CARE co-chairs the Gender in Humanitarian Action (GiHA) Working Group in Ukraine and was among the first organisations to conduct and publish Rapid Gender Analyses in response to the crisis. The evidence and recommendations generated through these analyses have since informed a gender-sensitive and gender-transformative approach to humanitarian response across Ukraine, influencing both CARE’s programming and wider sectoral practices. 

In practice, this commitment is reflected in CARE’s strong programmatic focus on protection, with particular emphasis on preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV) and addressing psychosocial needs. CARE and its partners provide GBV case management, psychosocial and legal support, and dignity kits, working closely with trusted women-led and women’s rights organisations to ensure services are accessible, survivor-centred and contextually appropriate. 

General objectives 

              Role Objectives: 

The Project Manager – Multiple Grants will lead and oversee a portfolio of various grants to aid Ukrainians affected by the war, from various donors (DEC, AFD, GFFO, BMZ, DANIDA, ADH, CARE Federation, various foundations and private companies, etc.) within the wider Program Management Team.  Program distribution will be decided by Program Implementation Lead in consultation with the team.  

The Project Manager – Multiple Grants will focus on managing the Program and liaison with implementing partners. S/he will be accountable for the overall vision and leadership of the Program and delivering results, within CARE Ukraine’s operating strategy. 

This is a particularly complex role, with very high expectations but equally, an opportunity to develop skills in grant management within the CARE Federation.  The role will be responsible for managing programs within various thematic areas (WASH, protection, SRHR, cash assistance, gender equality, etc.), financial management and compliance, implementing partner management and knowledge of donor operations, amongst others. S/he will have a good understanding of, and capacity to, navigate a matrix team environment which requires exceptional communication, time management and problem-solving skills, and will ensure everyone delivers toward a common goal. 

The position holder will be essentially responsible for: 

Project Management 

1. Oversee the implementation and completion of all technical requirements associated with the grant, including project results and deliverables, in accordance with the project work plan, from startup to closeout (full project cycle management). 
2. Oversee and ensure compliance with contractual obligations, including providing regular updates on implementation status to CARE member partners (CARE Federation) internationally. 
3. Manage day to day operations of each grant, including inputs from technical advisors, the meal team, field staff, procurement, logistics and finance managers, who provide specific input to each grant, as assigned; this is achieved with in close cooperation and collaboration with CARE’s 3 Area Offices.   
4. Manage contractual obligations for implementing partners in collaboration with Area Offices; manage and maintain positive and constructive relationships with partners; constructively solve problems as they arise, with a view to improving working relationships.  
5. Provide orientation and act as focal point to local implementing partners and the wider CARE Ukraine grant team members to fulfill the project’s strategic goals and objectives. 
6. Coordinate procurements across CARE and partner organizations, ensuring alignment with the master procurement plan; liaise between the CARE Procurement Team, partners, and internal stakeholders to guarantee that all procurement activities are well-coordinated, in line with standards and meet project timelines. 
7. Lead the planning and budget review processes, including budget and work plan revisions, where necessary.  
8. Facilitate internal monthly grant review meetings with the CARE Ukraine team to track progress, address challenges, and ensure alignment with overall project goals and timely implementation. 
9. Lead the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports and updates, MEAL reports, and other deliverables, as specified in each grant’s agreement; coordinate review of monthly partner reports (consolidate feedback, define action points, etc.); ensure high standards of reporting, with specific focus on producing quality, donor-facing reports. 
10. Ensure high standards of results delivery through the technical advisors, including ongoing adaptation and adjustments to enhance impact, consistent with thematic best practices, cluster/working group recommendations and wider core humanitarian standards.   
11. Monitor and quickly react to the evolving security situation, pivot where necessary, and reallocate human and financial resources as needed in order to ensure continued service provision to affected populations; update Program Implementation Lead, DCD and CARE Ukraine SMT as required, and inform donors where necessary.    
12. Create or adapt management systems, with particular focus on grant management systems and tools, in line with CARE’s standard operating procedures, ensuring consistency with project needs. 
13. As the primary budget holder, ensure efficiency and compliant resource planning and utilization, including risk management procedures, analysis of Budget Versus Actual (BvA) reports, preparing and analyzing forecasts liaising with implementing partners and key project stakeholders.   
14. Collaborate closely with the Program Development team to support processes related to no-cost extensions, modification requests, top-up funding, and follow-up funding. 
15. Conduct regular field visits to monitor project implementation, identify challenges, propose solutions, and prepare detailed field reports for the wider team, with involvement of donors, as required. 
16. Advocate for partners by amplifying their voices and addressing their needs, including capacity building and organizational growth; act as a liaison to communicate their concerns and requests to relevant CARE colleagues. 
17. Promote and support visibility of the project and the implementing partners’ work.   

Relationship Building and Networking 

1. Build and maintain productive working relationships with donors, project implementing partners, and key stakeholders, including international, national, and community-level stakeholders; serve as the primary liaison among all project stakeholders. 
2. Build partnerships among international, national and community-level stakeholders; awareness of ethnic and cultural barriers to access various groups within Ukraine. 
3. Represent the project(s) at meetings, conferences, and other forums. 
4. Support CARE Ukraine Country Office initiatives by testing viable models and scaling proven models within the program. 
5. When feasible, contributes to the proposals development and communicates identified changes in the field and assessed needs  

Safety and Security   

1. Ensure compliance to CARE Ukraine Safety & Security Policy and Procedures and Standard Operating Procedures as guided by the Safety & Security Manager both in the office and when in the field. 
2. Attend necessary Mandatory Safety & Security Induction on the first week of arrival and attend the Safety & Security Training as registered by the Security Team.  
3. Responsible for personal health, safety and security while working with CARE Ukraine. 
4. Immediately inform Safety & Security Manager/Deputy or Area Safety & Security Coordinator when in field in case incidents related to health/safety/security takes place. 

The main responsibilities include:

Accountability within CARE:

A commitment to CARE values and CARE’s integrity framework is critical to working with CARE. Any candidate offered a job with CARE will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 

• Comply with CARE’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area. 
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a CARE staff or partner

Safeguarding:

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with CARE as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury, and any other harm. One of the ways that CARE shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates. 

Gender equality:

CARE is committed to meeting the standards of the CARE International Gender Policy (2019). Through this policy, CARE seeks to promote the equal realization of dignity and human rights for girls, women, boys and men in all diversities, and the elimination of poverty and injustice. Specifically, this policy seeks to improve the explicit incorporation of gender in programmatic and organizational practices. 

How to apply:

CARE values equal opportunities and diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

Please send your CV (in pdf format max. 4 pages) and a cover letter in English to [email protected], no later than 26 April 2026.  Please name your documents Surname_CV, Surname_Cover Letter.  Put “Job Title Name” as the subject title of your email: [email protected]

The candidates are interviewing on a rolling basis. The organisation reserve the right to fill the position prior to the closing date.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.   References will only be contacted after the interview. 

Please pay attention - this position is open only for national candidates.

People with disabilities are encouraged to apply. War veterans are encouraged to apply.