Duty station:  Kyiv, Ukraine.

Internal candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

1. Background/Context

Since the 24th of February 2022, NRC in Ukraine has greatly scaled up its operations and is now running a large scale multi-sectoral emergency and protracted crisis response. Going forward we will focus on providing support to communities along the frontline and finding tailored solutions for people displaced by the conflict – both in the short and long term.

NRC is present across the country, with Area Offices in Dnipro, Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa, Field Offices in Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv, and a growing partnerships portfolio. The programme currently includes all NRC core competencies: Education, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance, Livelihoods and Food Security, Protection from Violence, and Shelter & Settlements, which has also been undertaking some WASH activities. In addition, NRC is one of the largest NGO actors for Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA) in Ukraine.

NRC has recently revisited its response strategy in Ukraine and have identified WASH as a sector for investment, to scale up existing WASH activities, and to complement our other core competencies, with a specific focus on integrated programming and area-based approaches, and with the inclusion of Energy/Environment programming as well. We are looking for an energetic and positive colleague who thrives working with others and finding joint solutions to complex problems – someone who wants to build a programme together with local civil society actors, whether with local water authorities, peer NGOs and/or private sector actors, and have experience with partnership-based responses. We can offer a highly dedicated team of colleagues, a positive work environment and many challenges we try to fix together.

In summary, we will be focusing more and more on pushing the boundaries of NRC’s current programme model, particularly around durable solutions, localization and partnerships, policy impact, renewable energy, and being the voice of the displaced.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, please apply or forward.

1. Generic Responsibilities

The WASH Programme Development Manager (PDM) will develop the WASH Country Office programme and provide technical oversight and strategic direction to the Area Offices, to further develop the WASH Core Competency (CC) in NRC Ukraine. The PDM will provide quality assurance for all projects, develop a collaborative country strategy, identify collaboration partners for capacity exchanges, be an active participant in the Ukraine WASH sector and coordination mechanisms, and develop a donor strategy to further grow the programme. The following is a brief description of the role:

• Develop the Ukraine WASH CC strategy, technical guidance documents, Theory of Change (ToC) and Macro LFAs
• Ensure compliance with and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures
• Contribute to fundraising, develop and revise funding proposals, budgets and donor reports
• Identify trends in technical standards and donor priorities
• Follow up on compliance with contractual commitments within CC, ensure high technical quality and synergies in project implementation
• Provide technical direction and project implementation support to partners
• Ensure that key learnings are extracted from CC implementation, and incorporate them in CC and staff development processes
• Responsible for technical development and quality of the WASH CC country programme, and actively promote and operationalize synergies between WASH and Shelter & Settlements, Energy and other NRC programmes, to move toward integrated programming (including also a focus on Education, LFS, Protection and ICLA)
• Develop WASH strategies, technical guidance and Macro LFAs that are aligned with regional and global strategies and priorities

1. Professional Competencies

• Minimum 5 years of WASH programming (as Specialist or Programme lead, PDM, or Project Manager) in a humanitarian/ recovery context
• Master’s degree in water engineering or a closely related field
• Experience in working in complex and volatile contexts
• Experience in strategically working with local authorities and local utilities
• Experience in starting up and scaling up ambitious WASH programmes
• Experiencing in designing WASH interventions for both housing and for public infrastructure
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal. Capacity in Ukrainian or Russian preferred
• Desirable: Experience developing WASH strategies as part of multi-CC Area-Based Approach
• Knowledge of the CEE region; climate, and cultural and political history

Find more details about the role HERE.

1. What We Offer

• Duration and Type of contract: Full time, 12 months
• Salary/benefits: According to NRC salary scale, terms and conditions
• Duty station:  Kyiv, Ukraine

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC HERE.

Important information about the application process:

• Internal candidates only: please click on the suitcase icon labelled “I am an employee” to be redirected to NRC’s internal careers site.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

NRC has been present in Ukraine since 2014. Since the escalation of the war in 2022, we have been continuously scaling up our response across the country and working with national partners.

Eight years of conflict in the east of Ukraine escalated into a full-scale war on 24 February 2022, causing death, destruction and displacement for millions of people across the country. 17.6 million people were estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2023, including 6.3 million internally displaced people and 11.3 million people who returned or remained home. Almost 16 million people received humanitarian assistance in 2022.

Throughout the winter months, the Russian Federation attacked critical energy infrastructure, leaving thousands with no heating, water or gas. Many residential buildings were also damaged and destroyed, killing and injuring civilians and forcing millions more to leave their homes. While indiscriminate attacks continued in different regions of Ukraine, the south was struck by the Kakhovka Dam breach on 6 June 2023, causing flooding and the displacement of thousands of people in the area, and leaving many regions without access to clean drinking water. Those who decided to remain are struggling to access food, water, health care, education and other essential services.

The most vulnerable people are still in need of safe housing, protection services and livelihoods support among other needs. Displaced people in rural areas are also struggling to access services. Many of those in need of assistance live in the areas beyond the control of Ukrainian government, where the response is limited due to access constraints.

• Learn more about NRC HERE and NRC Ukraine HERE.

Internal candidates are encouraged to apply, and we are also open to external applicants who can show a commitment to NRC and being part of a challenging, but important mission to make a difference.

NRC might review applications before the advertised deadline, therefore interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.

1. Professional competencies 

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

Generic professional competencies for this position: 

• Minimum 5 years of WASH programming (as Specialist or Programme lead, PDM, or Project Manager) in a humanitarian/ recovery context
• Master’s degree in water engineering or a closely related field
• Experience in working in complex and volatile contexts
• Experience in strategically working with local authorities and local utilities
• Experience in starting up and scaling up ambitious WASH programmes
• Experiencing in designing WASH interventions for both housing and for public infrastructure
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal. Capacity in Ukrainian or Russian preferred.
• Desirable: Experience developing WASH strategies as part of multi-CC Area-Based Approach

Context/specific skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of the CEE region; climate, and cultural and political history
• Experience in building local partnerships and capacity building
• Technical knowledge and experience of the community engagement process in a humanitarian context.

2. Behavioural competencies (max 6)

These are personal qualities that influence how successful people are in their job. NRC’s Competency Framework states 12 behavioural competencies, the following are essential for this position:

• Handling insecure environments
• Strategic thinking
• Empowering and building trust
• Influencing
• Initiate action and change
• Analysing

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements