Background
Switzerland has developed and nurtured its relationship with Ukraine since the 1990s. The Swiss Cooperation Programme 2020–23, extended until 2024, translates Switzerland's renewed commitment to support Ukraine on its path towards peace and sustainable development, by building an inclusive society where all women and men equally contribute to and benefit from public integrity and sustainable growth. The Programme covers four domains: 1. Peace, Protection and Democratic Institutions (Governance), 2. Sustainable Cities, 3. Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Competitiveness, and 4. Health.
On 24 February 2022, the Russian Federation launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, dramatically escalating the eight years of conflict. The ongoing Russian military aggression has a disruptive impact on all levels with unknown prospect. As per the UN Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2024, an estimated 14.6 million Ukrainians are in need of humanitarian assistance; nearly 4 million people are internally displaced. The humanitarian crisis requires a fast and coordinated response of local, regional, national and international actors in a highly volatile context.
Challenges to the provision of humanitarian assistance are complex, and needs continue to be enormous, especially in the conflict-affected north, east, and south of the country, and in recovered areas that were previously occupied by Russia. In addition to the tens of thousands of civilian casualties, the ongoing destruction of civil infrastructure by frequent missile attacks, focussing especially on the heating-, electricity- and water distribution networks, leave millions of people without basic services. It is expected that the war will continue for an undetermined period and that long-term humanitarian and recovery support is needed.
The Swiss humanitarian response focuses on two clusters of thematic priorities: (i) WASH, shelter & winterization; (ii) Protection, basic services and livelihood. These two clusters build on the existing priorities of the Swiss Cooperation Programme in Ukraine 2020-24. Furthermore, support to Mine Action is considered to be a crosscutting topic through an additional contribution of CHF 100 Mio for the period 2024-2027. Emergency preparedness and shock responsiveness continue to be highly relevant, together with humanitarian interventions in early recovery and reconstruction. SHA also engages in the organization and delivery of humanitarian goods to Ukraine as well as Humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy. Switzerland plays an active role in donor coordination, on both the humanitarian and the development/recovery side. Switzerland co-chairs the Humanitarian Donor Coordination Group, is member of the Ukraine Humanitarian Fund Advisory Board and of the Community Recovery Steering Committee, and is thus well positioned to engage in high level policy dialogue. The Swiss humanitarian team is fully integrated into the Swiss International Cooperation Team within the Swiss Embassy and reinforces the overall Swiss response.
Tasks
The incumbent is responsible of a number of programmes and supports the overall coordination of the humanitarian work with internal and external parties. As active member of the humanitarian team, the incumbent is responsible for the humanitarian mine action portfolio, as well as support humanitarian policy dialogue in country. He/she can deputize the Head of Humanitarian Team in donor coordination meetings, aligning with the objectives of Switzerland's Country Programme Ukraine 2020-24 and/or the future Cooperation Programme (under development). He/she actively contributes to the definition of strategic priorities, to developing synergies among projects and cooperation programmes, as well as in the general allocation of human & financial resources.
Analysis (20%)
- Monitoring and analysis of the humanitarian developments and response in Ukraine with a focus on humanitarian needs and gaps inside Ukraine;
- Continued analysis of the operational environment, capacity of humanitarian responders in order to identify opportunities for the Swiss humanitarian programme;
- Actively contribute to the development and coherence of the next cooperation programme for Ukraine;
- Analysis of the development of key humanitarian policies in Ukraine, in particular referring to early recovery, responsible phase out of humanitarian aid and nexus opportunities;
- Support the analysis capacity of the Humanitarian Office/Swiss Embassy by providing information and analysis on the humanitarian situation and gaps, including speaking points and analysis for Swiss representatives.
Programme management and strategic development (30%)
- Contribute to the elaboration of a Swiss humanitarian portfolio in Ukraine that is based on needs, Swiss long-term interests and value added, and that draws from Cooperation Programmes and action lines proposed by previous missions to Ukraine;
- Responsible for planning, monitoring, steering and closing of projects related to the Mine Action and other relevant humanitarian portfolio, in line with PCM and its related guidelines, instructions and defined processes. Interventions shall be coordinated closely with the Cooperation team and Swiss Embassy's colleagues;
- Preparing of project documentation, credit proposals, reports, partner assessments, feasibility studies, evaluations, tender procedures, and other inputs as required;
- Collaborates with Finance and Administration staff on budget matters and by providing them with the necessary information and feedback on financial matters relating to projects and programs;
- Where possible, seek programming synergies with the programmes supported by other Swiss administration actors (e.g. Peace and Human Rights Division, SECO, DDPS);
- Mainstream protection and conflict sensitivity across all programmes and support quality control; keep promoting a principled locally-led humanitarian response in Ukraine, including fair partnership principles and duty of care.
- Ensure proper monitoring of programmes and projects which are initiated as humanitarian response to the impacts of the war (including project cycle management, field visits, and review of operational and financial reports, contacts with stakeholders, back-to-office reports, etc.);
- Take part in the monitoring of the programme activities, including through field visits in Ukraine depending on the security situation;
- Ensure proper coordination of the programme implementation among implementing partners and with government ministries and administrations, international and national partners.
Internal and external coordination (30%)
- In close consultation with the Head of the Humanitarian Team, the incumbent suggests and follows up key elements for the humanitarian policy dialogue, and informs Switzerland's humanitarian policy messaging and advocacy on Ukraine and in Bern/Geneva/New York;
- He/she maintains and enhances SDC's network with other donors, humanitarian organisations, local partners and government representatives in Ukraine in order to identify programming opportunities and strengthen relevance;
- Organize and accompany field visits of delegations from Switzerland and jointly with other donors and/or pool funds;
- Ensure the lead role of Switzerland in humanitarian donor coordination, its visibility and principled stands, in close collaboration with the Head of Humanitarian Team and the Head of Cooperation.
- Participate actively in the Humanitarian Core Donor Working Group, in relevant Sectorial Working Groups and Humanitarian Clusters.
- Provides networking, strategic and policy input and advice that strategically places Switzerland on the humanitarian response map in Ukraine;
- In collaboration with other SCO colleagues, identify and operationalize nexus opportunities, and advance the community recovery and durable solutions discussions in Ukraine to ensure responsible transitioning from humanitarian to development/recovery.
- Participates in and contribute to overall program tasks (planning, coordination, reporting) within the Swiss Cooperation Program Ukraine.
Other tasks (20%)
- Contribute to communication and visibility products;
- Enhanced networking for and with Swiss secondees to partners (e.g. standby partnership) in Ukraine.
- Participate in peer exchanges / SDC network activities relevant to the job description;
- Participate in regional meetings on the Ukraine programme;
- Support the organisation of field visits to Ukraine;
- Support the definition and updating of operational priorities and procedures (e.g. security concepts, risk mitigations, financial procedures, etc.)
- Carry out any other task requested by the Head of Humanitarian Team.
Due to the volatile context, the above defined objectives and tasks are to be reviewed and adapted, if need be.
Requirements
Institutional competences
- Advanced University degree in Social Science, Law, Public Policy or equivalent;
- At least 7 years of practical experience in international cooperation and / or humanitarian aid, of which at least 5 years of field experience in or with humanitarian or development agencies; experience in Ukraine is a considerable asset;
- Experience with the analysis of political, social, economic and cultural conditions in humanitarian contexts in development countries or transition countries;
- Extensive experience in project and program management (project cycle management);
- Ability to organize and conduct discussions at international level;
- Extensive experience in writing reports, policy briefings and preparatory work in establishing positions and strategies;
- Extensive knowledge of the challenges in the field of protection, and humanitarian development nexus
- Discussion and negotiation skills in a dynamic intra- and inter-sectorial environment;
- Extensive knowledge and experience with local and international actors.
Social competences
· Analytical, strategic, conceptual, innovative and excellent communication and drafting skills;
· Diplomacy, negotiation, liaison, representation and interpersonal skills;
· Self-awareness, high ethical and professional standards, cultural sensitivity and team player;
· Capacity to identify important issues at an early stage and to act on them constantly until they are solved;
· Computer skills including office applications;
· Excellent command of written and spoken English, Ukrainian or Russian skills are an asset
COVID vaccination highly recommended
Additional condition to be eligible for the job: Swiss citizenship (or Lichtenstein) or holder of a valid Swiss work permit (C)
Duration of deployment: 01.08.24 – 31.07.25
Duty Station: Kyiv, Ukraine (non family duty station)
For additional information, you may contact Christopher Middleton (Christopher.middleton@eda.admin.ch), programme manager Desk Ukraine, 058 481 94 40.
Thank you to send your application by 21.05.2024 to:
Isabelle Mellana (Isabelle.mellana@eda.admin.cn)
058 462 35 29
Published: 8.5.247MZI
...