TGH recruits 01 Project Manager (International/National) – Ukraine

Location: Ukraine – Kramatorsk

Duration: 4 months renewable, from 1 February 2021. The position and further extension is subject to funding.

Salary and conditions: Salary will be defined based on incumbent’s experience and competences in accordance with the TGH’s salary scale and terms and conditions.

Family duty station: No

TGH background

“Actor in a sustainable and shared solidarity”

Established in 1994, TGH (Triangle Génération Humanitaire) is a French international solidarity organization based in Lyon. The organization implements emergency, humanitarian, rehabilitation and development programs in WASH, Food Security and Livelihoods, Shelter/Rehabilitation, Education and Protection sectors. TGH currently operates in 10 countries in Africa, Asia, Middle East and Europe.

Context

The ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine resulted in more than 13,000 people killed including over 3,000 civilians. Thousands of people were wounded as the result of hostilities. With the seventh year into the conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic, the humanitarian needs along the contact line in eastern Ukraine remain high.

According to the 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan, 3.4 million people in Ukraine will be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2021. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the needs of vulnerable people are significantly higher in severity than last year. According to the Preliminary Humanitarian Needs Analysis for 2021, under the less severe scenario, the absolute poverty in Ukraine is expected to increase from 27.2% to 43.6%. The effects of the protracted armed conflict continue to have negative consequences on the socio-economic status of the population. The lack of income-generating opportunities, financial means and lack of future prospects affect the ability of people, especially in Non-government controlled areas (NGCA), to access essential products and services and meet their basic needs (REACH 2020). The economic crisis linked to the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to the increase due to already high unemployment rates (8.7% at the end of 2019 and 10% in the 2nd quarter of 2020). High prices of food items have an important impact on households’ capacity to access a satisfying level of food security. In areas closer to the line of contact and in isolated settlements, access to essential goods remains a challenge.

The ongoing conflict had a serious impact on the agriculture sector, traditionally one of the major sources of food and livelihoods in rural Ukraine. Available evidence suggests that 55% of rural households are exposed to monetary poverty, with one third living in poverty on incomes of less than USD 100 per month (FAO).

The disruption of the traditional solidarity network mostly affects vulnerable and isolated individuals, such as the elderly or people suffering from disabilities, and in strong lack of mobility. Ukraine is among the top 30 nations with the oldest population in terms of the number of people aged 60 years or over. Their share was 21.8% in 2015 and is projected to grow to 25% by 2025’s (Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine). 30% of the people in need of humanitarian assistance in Ukraine are elderly, the highest proportion in the world (HNO 2020-21). 31% of the total population in the area closest to the ‘contact line’ in GCA (0-5km) are elderly aged over 60 and 12% of them are people with disabilities (HelpAge International 2020). Often neglected or separated from their families, the elderly are highly prone to economic insecurity and face severe hardships when accessing essential services due to high rates of disability and immobility.

Civilians residing near the contact line both in GCA and NGCA continue facing physical insecurity. Negative effects of the conflict and no adequate Psycho-Social Support (PSS) have direct and significant psychological implications on personal health. The available services have been severely weakened and cannot absorb all people in need of assistance. In isolated settlements within 0-5 km zone from the contact line availability of relevant social services is limited or not accessible. With coping mechanisms depleted and broken support networks, the conflict-affected populations are at risk of becoming even more vulnerable. Among the key protection concerns for the affected population in NGCA also remain mental health and PSS needs, challenges related to the receipt and restoration of identity and civil documents and access to social benefits.

Presentation of the mission

The TGH’s mission in Ukraine is based in Kramatorsk (70km from the Contact Line), Donetsk Oblast, eastern Ukraine. From 2016 TGH implements humanitarian assistance projects targeting the most vulnerable populations along the contact line employing traditional and innovative modalities as follows:

Provision of electronic vouchers (e-vouchers for food, hygiene or dual-purpose e-vouchers), an innovative modality with application of mobile phones and web-money-based interface
Direct cash transfers (via banks and post offices)
Cash for Work (rehabilitation or social work)
PSS
Documentation support (restoration or obtaining of official/legal documents)
Provision of basic humanitarian assistance: food and hygiene kits.

From July 2020 TGH implements a rapid COVID-19 emergency response project funded by UNICEF supporting healthcare, educational and social institutions and households of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts along the contact line with electronic vouchers for essential hygiene. The project will be completed in January 2021.

From March 2020 TGH implements a project supported by the Crisis Support Centre of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (Centre de Crise et de Soutien du Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires Etrangères) aimed at provision of vital home-based care to vulnerable elderly and persons with disabilities along the contact line engaging community volunteers through Cash for Work; improving food security status of beneficiaries through provision of electronic e-vouchers for food, and provision of PSS, documentation support and covering basic needs of beneficiaries in food and hygiene in NGCA.

A new project aimed at provision of home-based care, food and hygiene assistance in NGCA has been approved by the Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund and is waiting for final approval by authorities.

TGH has framework agreements with five national NGOs. For e-voucher projects TGH engages over 100 shops along the contact line. These partnerships allow TGH to covers more than 200 localities in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

TGH is a member of the following Clusters and Working groups: Protection, Age and Disability Working Group (ADWG), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Working Group (MHPSS WG), Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster (FSLC), Agriculture Working Group, Cash-based transfers Working Group (CBTWG) and WASH cluster.

The TGH’s team is comprised of 11 staff all based in Kramatorsk including:

1 Head of Mission (HoM), expatriate, Russian/English speaking)
1 Project Manager (PM), expatriate English/French speaking (position will be vacant from 1^st February 2021)
1 Deputy HoM, national, Ukrainian/Russian/English speaking
1 Project Officer, Ukrainian/Russian/English speaking
2 Project Assistants, Ukrainian/Russian speaking
1 Communications Officer, Ukrainian/Russian/English speaking
1 Senior Accountant, national, Ukrainian/Russian speaking
1 Accountant, national, Ukrainian/Russian speaking
1 Finance/Admin Assistant, Ukrainian/Russian/English speaking
1 Driver, Ukrainian/Russian speaking

Job description

The Project Manager (PM) will ensure the overall planning, implementation and supervision of ongoing and upcoming project(s) including programmatic, administrative, financial and procurement aspects. S/he will represent TGH with humanitarian actors, clusters, local authorities, donors, and other relevant stakeholders.

The position is based in Kramatorsk. The PM will work in collaboration with the HoM, supported by the TGH headquarter departments (desk, technical department, HR, admin/log, finance). The PM will lead the Programme national team. S/he will be expected to enhance the capacity of national staff and local partners.

The main responsibilities of the PM include:

Programme management:

Ensure overall planning, coordination, implementation and supervision of project activities;
Liaison with project national partners on project-related issues, organising regular coordination meetings and follow up;
Responsible for planning and organising project monitoring activities;
Develop assessments methodologies and questionnaires; ensure preparation and conducting assessments, post-distribution surveys and evaluations;
Responsible for data analysis, development and adapting the program strategy based on results of regular assessments, context analysis and humanitarian needs; in link with the country director
Responsible for managing lists of beneficiaries (selection based on vulnerability scoring system, cross-checking with other I/NGOs, etc.) and beneficiaries database;
Ensure the follow-up of program indicators, in accordance with donor requirements and TGH tools.
Organise and conduct project field trips. Occasional trips to Kiev for coordination meetings;
Organise relevant project training activities, i.e. trainings for community volunteers on home-based care; for project partner shops on the e-voucher system, etc.;
Ensure regular communication and information sharing with communities and local authorities;
Responsible for organising donor visits; participation in project audits;
Ensure compliance with the local laws, procedures and regulations.

Team management:

Plan, manage and supervise the work of programme team;
Organize and lead coordination meetings with partners;
Enhance capacities of staff/local partners based on needs;
Conduct regular performance evaluations of programme staff;
Participate in the recruitment of project staff.

Reporting and communication:

Progress reports writing including drafting of intermediate and final reports, assessment reports and Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) reports for further approval by the HoM;
Responsible for timely and quality development of project visibility and communication materials.

Transversal responsibilities:

Internal coordination:

Supervise administrative, budgetary and logistics aspects of projects in close coordination with support department and the HoM;
Ensure budget follow-up;
Plan and manage projects-related procurements;
Participate in internal coordination meetings;
Participate in fundraising and proposals writing process in cooperation with the HoM and the HQ desk.

Representation and external coordination:

Represent TGH with stakeholders, including donors; humanitarian actors, clusters and other fora;
Ensure bilateral coordination with other humanitarian actors in the area working in the same field;
Maintain and develop good working relations with all relevant stakeholders and ensure visibility of TGH.

Security:

– Ensure the application/follow-up and compliance with security guidelines;

– Regular security monitoring and communication to the line manager.

This list of responsibilities in not inclusive and could be modified according to the needs in the field.

Security, working and living conditions

Kramatorsk is located far from the contact line. Trips to project locations in red zone closer to the contact line require specific attention and prior approval.

Population of Kramatorsk is about 160 000 people and is Ukrainian and Russian speaking who normally do not speak English.

Kramatorsk is the regional centre of Donetsk oblast. Several UN agencies have field offices in Kramatorsk. The city has all relevant infrastructure and access to services. For travels to Kiev (for TGH representation) there are several options by train.

TGH’s office is located in the centre of the city. Accommodation or accommodation allowance (depending on incumbent (international/national)) will be provided by TGH. The PM will have access to TGH vehicle, the use of which will be restricted to trips within the oblast.

Profile

At least 2 years of experience in managing humanitarian assistance projects or coordination position in the field;
Proven experience in team management and partnerships;
Excellent knowledge of program and project cycle management;
Solid experience in data management, analysis and reporting;
Excellent planning and organisational skills;
Ability to problem solve and good decision-making skills;
Demonstrated experience in managing several donor contracts;
Ability to think critically and strategically;
Excellent communications, presentation and public skills;
Excellent level of written and verbal English and Russian; Knowledge of French is a strong asset.
Demonstrated ability to manage workflows and balance competing priorities;
Experience in working in volatile security context;
Ability to live in a very limited social context.