Заступник(ця) директора з підтримки/ Head of Support

Location: Kyiv

Duration: till 31 December 2027

Starting date: 01 February 2027

Compensation and benefits: 4392.96-4926.44 EUR (Gross), 300 EUR 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 

Job summary:

The Head of Support provides strategic, operational, and technical leadership across the organization’s core support functions, including Finance, Human Resources, and Operations Support.

The position reports directly to the Country Director and is a key member of the Senior Management Team (SMT), working closely with the Country Director, Heads of Programs and relevant counterparts within CARE Ukraine and CARE Deutschland.

The Head of Support directly supervises the Finance Manager, HR Manager, and Operations Support Coordinator and is responsible for ensuring that support functions are effectively managed, coordinated, compliant, cost-efficient, and responsive to program and operational needs.

The role combines senior management oversight with hands-on technical capacity. The position holder must be able to provide technical support, take operational decisions, and, when required, temporarily assume the core responsibilities of the Finance Manager, HR Manager, or Operations Support Coordinator to ensure continuity of critical business processes.

Role Objectives:

The position holder provides strategic and operational leadership across Finance, HR, and Operations Support, ensuring effective, compliant, and efficient support to program delivery. The role oversees support managers, ensures strong internal controls, risk management, business continuity, and fit-for-purpose processes, and promotes effective coordination between support and program functions. The position holder supports the Country Director and SMT in operational decision-making, and promotes an accountable, responsive, and service-oriented support function.

The position holder will be essentially responsible for:

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Lead and coordinate the overall support function, ensuring effective integration of Finance, HR, and Operations Support;
• Establish clear objectives, priorities, performance standards, and accountability mechanisms for the support function;
• Ensure that support functions are aligned with organizational strategy, program priorities, operational requirements, legal environment and available resources;
• Oversee the development, review, and implementation of policies, procedures, systems, tools, and internal controls;
• Identify operational/ legal gaps, risks, and inefficiencies and lead appropriate corrective and improvement actions;
• Ensure effective segregation of duties, delegation of authority, and internal control mechanisms across the Country Office;
• Provide the Country Director and SMT with timely analysis, advice, and recommendations on operational, financial, HR, legal, compliance, and resource-related matters;
• Promote cost-efficiency and effective use of organizational resources;
• Ensure effective coordination between support functions and program teams, including timely identification and resolution of operational bottlenecks;
• Support organizational change, restructuring, scaling, and emergency response as required;
• Ensure appropriate business continuity arrangements are in place for critical support functions. 

Finance Management

• Provide strategic oversight of financial management and ensure that financial systems, controls, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and compliance requirements are effectively implemented;
• Work closely with the Finance Manager to monitor financial performance, cash flow, expenditure, budgets, forecasts, and financial risks;
• Review financial information and analysis and provide recommendations to the Country Director and SMT on financial risks, resource allocation, cost-efficiency, and financial sustainability;
• Ensure compliance with CARE financial policies, donor requirements, internal controls, and applicable Ukrainian legislation;
• Oversee audit processes and ensure that audit findings and recommendations are appropriately addressed;
• Support financial risk management, including foreign exchange, cashflow, expenditure, and compliance risks;
• Ensure effective coordination between Finance, Programs, HR, and Operations Support on budgeting, procurement, payroll, and operational planning;
• Provide technical guidance and hands-on support to the Finance function when required;

 Human Resources Management

1. Provide strategic oversight of HR management and ensure effective implementation of HR policies, procedures, and systems;
2. Work closely with the HR Manager to ensure effective recruitment, onboarding, contracts, performance management, staff development, employee relations, and staff well-being;
3. Ensure compliance with applicable Ukrainian labor legislation and CARE HR policies and procedures;
4. Oversee workforce planning, organizational structure, staffing needs, and HR-related risks;
5. Ensure appropriate HR support is provided to managers and supervisors across the organization;
6. Support the development and implementation of staff capacity-building and organizational development initiatives;
7. Ensure appropriate safeguarding, PSEA, anti-fraud, anti-corruption, and prevention of abuse of power measures are integrated into HR processes;
8. Ensure effective coordination between HR and Finance, particularly in relation to payroll, staffing budgets, benefits, and workforce planning;
9. Provide technical guidance and hands-on support to the HR function when required;
10. 
    
11. Operations Support

• Provide strategic oversight of Operations Support, ensuring that operational systems and services effectively support program delivery;
• Work closely with the Operations Support Coordinator to ensure effective coordination of procurement, logistics, administration, assets, facilities, fleet, travel, and other operational support processes, as applicable;
• Ensure that procurement and operational processes are compliant with CARE policies, donor requirements, internal controls, and applicable legislation;
• Oversee operational planning, supplier management, asset management, inventory, fleet, office and guesthouse management, and other operational services;
• Ensure effective coordination between Operations Support, Finance, HR, and Program teams;
• Monitor operational risks and ensure appropriate mitigation and contingency measures are in place;
• Ensure operational systems are efficient, transparent, documented, and responsive to program needs;
• Provide technical guidance and hands-on support to the Operations Support function when required;

Management and Supervision

• Directly supervise, support, and develop the Finance Manager, HR Manager, and Operations Support Coordinator;
• Establish clear objectives and performance expectations for direct reports and regularly monitor progress;
• Provide coaching, technical guidance, and management support to direct reports;
• ensure effective workload distribution, prioritization, and coordination across the support function;
• Identify capacity gaps and ensure appropriate training, mentoring, and professional development;
• Address performance, conduct, and operational issues in a timely and constructive manner;
• Ensure effective delegation while maintaining appropriate oversight and accountability;
• Build a collaborative support team with a strong focus on service delivery, accountability, compliance, and problem-solving.
• In the absence of the Support Service senior staff, be able to take over key finance management, HR and operational responsibilities to ensure continuity of  operations, and respective teams management.

Risk, Compliance and Internal Controls

• Ensure that organizational support functions comply with CARE policies, procedures, donor requirements, and Ukrainian legislation;
• Maintain an overview of key operational, financial, HR, procurement, and compliance/ legal risks;
• Develop and monitor risk mitigation and business continuity measures;
• Ensure internal controls are appropriately designed, implemented, and monitored;
• Identify control weaknesses and ensure timely corrective action;
• Support internal and external audits, reviews, investigations, and compliance assessments as required;
• Ensure that relevant policies, procedures, manuals, and guidance are regularly reviewed, updated, and communicated.

Program and Field Support

• Ensure that support services are responsive to the operational needs of programs and field locations;
• Provide technical advice and support to program and field teams on support-related matters;
• Ensure effective coordination between the HQ, country office, field locations, and support functions;
• Monitor the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of support services provided to program operations;
• Ensure that operational and support requirements are identified early and addressed proactively;
• Support emergency response and changes in operational scale as required.

1. ERP/PeopleSoft management          

• Full understand the internal ERP (PeopleSoft) system and ensure correct usage by operational and program staff.
• Validate operational data, ensuring compliance with internal rules and procurement policies.
• Produce, analyze, and distribute reports based on ERP data for management and requesters.

Senior Management, Representation and Coordination

• Actively participate in the Senior Management Team and contribute to organizational strategy, planning, risk management, and decision-making;
• Work closely with the Country Director and Heads of Programs to ensure effective alignment between program priorities and support capacity;
• Provide the SMT with timely information, analysis, and recommendations on support-related risks and operational issues;
• Coordinate with relevant counterparts within CARE Deutschland;
• Represent CARE, as delegated by the Country Director, with donors, authorities, UN agencies, INGOs, coordination mechanisms, and other relevant stakeholders;
• Maintain a strong understanding of the operational and regulatory context in Ukraine and its implications for support functions. 

Health, Safeguarding and Organizational Culture

• Support the Country Director in ensuring that appropriate health, safeguarding, and risk management standards are maintained;
• Ensure that support functions contribute to a safe, respectful, inclusive, and accountable working environment;
• Promote compliance with CARE policies on safeguarding, prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, prevention of harassment, anti-fraud, anti-corruption, and prevention of abuse of power;
• Ensure that relevant concerns are appropriately reported, documented, escalated, and followed up;
• Promote diversity, gender equality, accountability, and respectful workplace practices across the organization.

Requirements & Qualifications 

Mandatory criteria for longlisting:

• Master's degree in finance, accounting, management, HR, supply chain, logistics, business administration, or another relevant field
• minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in operations, support services, or management
• minimum 3 years of experience in a senior management or SMT-level position
• demonstrated experience managing or overseeing multiple support functions
• demonstrated hands-on technical experience in at least two core support functions, with the ability to temporarily assume key functional responsibilities when required
• demonstrated experience in financial management, budgeting, forecasting, financial controls, and compliance
• experience working in an international NGO and/or humanitarian organization
• experience working in a complex, high-pressure, and/or emergency environment
• demonstrated experience in risk management, internal controls, compliance, and business continuity
• excellent coordination, communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• ability to work effectively with senior management, program teams, field offices, and external stakeholders
• fluency in English

Preferred:

• strong strategic and operational leadership skills with the ability to manage multiple support functions as an integrated service
• strong hands-on technical capacity and willingness to directly perform functional tasks when required, including during staff absence or periods of increased workload
• ability to independently step into Finance, HR, or Operations Support responsibilities and maintain continuity of critical processes
• expected experience in HR management, including recruitment, contracts, personnel administration, payroll coordination, and HR compliance
• expected experience in operations management, including procurement, logistics, administration, supplier management, assets, and operational support
• strong understanding of donor compliance requirements and international NGO policies and procedures
• strong analytical, financial, risk management, and problem-solving skills
• ability to translate organizational strategy into practical operational systems, processes, and solutions
• strong people management, coaching, delegation, and performance management skills
• ability to prioritize and make timely decisions in a complex and rapidly changing environment
• high level of integrity, accountability, discretion, and attention to detail
• ability to work effectively across different cultures and professional backgrounds
• knowledge of Ukrainian legislation relevant to employment, finance, procurement, and organizational operations
• experience with PeopleSoft or another relevant ERP/financial management system
• experience working in Ukraine or a comparable humanitarian/emergency context

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 , no later than 10.11.2026.  Please name your documents Surname_CV, Surname_Cover Letter.  Put “Job Title Name” as the subject title of your email:

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.