Senior Project Officer (Military & Defence Initiatives) in Kyiv School of Economics

Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) is an alliance of companies founded in 1996 by the EERC and the Eurasia Foundation. Our mission is to create an intellectual foundation for the development of a sustainable and innovative economy in Ukraine. 
KSE Foundation is a direction of the Kyiv School of Economics, which unites business, education and civil society for the sake of the restoration of Ukraine.

We implement large-scale humanitarian, educational and reconstruction initiatives, attracting resources from international partners and Ukrainian companies.
KSE Foundation develops a defense direction that provides support for military units, development of defense projects, technical solutions and partnerships. We are looking for a Manager who can combine strategic vision, strong project management and work in a sensitive security context to systematically develop the defense direction.

This role requires:

• Work experience in the defense, veteran or charity sector.

• Understanding military processes, technical aspects of equipment, logistics and operations.

• Medium or high level project management experience of 3 years or more.

• Experience of working with stakeholders, including military units, government structures and partners.

• Experience in (co-)organization of large-scale events of 500 people with media involvement.

• Skills in working with technical specifications and complex procurement processes, including interaction with customs authorities.

• Ability to implement public collaborations and partnership initiatives.

• English language at a level not lower than B2 - confident oral and written communication, conducting presentations and negotiations.

• Experience of managing teams in highly dynamic conditions.

• Ability to form a team, motivate, develop and maintain high performance.

• Strong project management skills – planning, budgeting, risk management, deadlines and quality.

• Ability to work with priorities under conditions of high workload and uncertainty.

• Strategic thinking, risk assessment and resource management skills.

• High emotional stability and stress resistance, ability to work in a sensitive security context.

• Analytical thinking and the ability to make quick decisions.

• Initiative and proactive position.

• Promptness and readiness to act in conditions of uncertainty.

• Creativity in finding non-standard solutions.

• Good faith and a responsible attitude to information security.

Will be an advantage: 

• Direct experience of working with military units or defense projects.

• Experience of cooperation with donors, foundations and international partners.

• Understanding procurement processes, logistics and technical expertise.

The main responsibilities will be:

Strategy and development of the defense direction

• Participation in formation and regularin the update of the defense strategy of the KSE Foundation.

• Analysis of the needs of military units, the market, trends and the formation of new programs and initiatives.

• Building and development of communities of military, technical experts and partners.

• Search, development and support of strategic partnerships with state bodies, volunteer organizations, business and international structures.

Team and project management

• Operational management of a team of project managers - task setting, coordination, control of results, team development and training.

• Launch and implementation of military support projects - technical, infrastructural and logistical.

• Planning, budgeting and preparation of technical project documentation.

• Ensuring the implementation of projects on time and in accordance with the Foundation's standards.

Stakeholder management and communications

• Interaction with military units, unit command and logistics partners.

• Conducting complex negotiations in high-stress and sensitive contexts.

• Communication with donors - preparation of reports, analytical materials and presentations.

• Representation of the defense department at meetings, negotiations and project meetings.
  

We offer:

• the ability to develop and scale the defense direction with a wide area of responsibility and autonomy;

• involvement in projects at the intersection of defense, technology, state and civil society;

• cooperation with the military, state structures, business and international partners;

• paid vacation, sick and additional rest days;

• medical insurance;

• mental health support, including access to a corporate psychologist;

• English language courses;

• a professional environment that values responsibility, trust and results.