Country Representative

Title: Country Representative

Employee Working Location: In-person, (Kyiv, Ukraine)

Employment Status: Temporary Full-time (12 months)

The Canadian Red Cross (Red Cross) – an inspirational not for profit organization, helps people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supports them in strengthening their resilience. As a Canada’s Best Employers 2026, we are committed to having an accessible, diverse, inclusive, and barrier-free work environment.

The Country Representative will work collaboratively with the relevant internal departments/ teams and with relevant external stakeholders to increase interoperability, implement innovation and learning within programs, ensure robust risk management, and implement personnel wellbeing initiatives. All actions undertaken by the Country Representative will be guided by the CRC’s mission, vision, fundamental principles, policies, and procedures.

In this role, you will :

Responsibility 1: CRC Representation and Relationship Management

• Act as a representative for the CRC and maintain strong working relationships with URCS, other partner National Societies, IFRC, ICRC, national authorities, international and national organizations, donor governments, and relevant media.
• Develop strong working relationships with the local Ukrainian Red Cross Society provincial committees (i.e. Poltava, Cherkasy).
• Provide active high-level representation at key coordination meetings and other external events to advance the strategic interests of CRC programs in Ukraine.
• Actively participate in Movement fora and initiatives related to overall Movement planning, coordination, management, and security needs.
• Engage in strategic relations, networking, and communication events and opportunities.
  
  

Responsibility 2: Program Management

• In support of and coordination with the Program Manager, oversee the consistent implementation of all program activities as per identified goals, objectives, and operating principles, and within established budgets and timeframes.
• Understand and address the needs, concerns, and priorities of URCS (according to Strategy 2026-2030, One Plan and other strategy documents) in a tailored and coordinated manner within the framework and budget of the program.
• Provide guidance to Ukraine programs in identifying, planning, and securing required logistical support for the effective and efficient delivery of programs.
• Ensure all delegation planning, budgeting, and reporting is carried out in a timely manner and in accordance with CRC and donor requirements, formats, and standards.
• Monitor and oversee the use of financial controls, adherence to key processes and policies, and the development of accurate and timely narrative and financial reports.
• Identify opportunities to undertake new initiatives in line with the CRC’s strategic direction and local priority needs and identify and negotiate potential sources of funding.
  
  

Responsibility 3: Security and Risk Management

• Remain accountable for the safety and security of all CRC personnel in Ukraine and participate in operational decision making informed by the evolving security situation and in conformity with the provisions of the L2+ security agreement signed between the CRC and ICRC.
• Ensure security measures and key practices are consistently implemented at CRC sites.
• Oversee the implementation of continuous security monitoring, analysis, assessment, and risk prevention measures and create robust contingency plans that account for safety and wellbeing, financial and reputational risks, and unwarranted delays.
• Complete relevant training regarding security management in insecure environments.
• Participate in risk management, business continuity, and security planning to ensure the effective application of Movement and CRC security protocols.
  
  

Responsibility 4: Financial Management

• Supervise the Finance Manager whose responsibilities include ensuring sound financial management of programming and operations, including but not limited to effective budgeting, forecasting, analysis, and financial reporting.
• Provide an overall monitoring of expenditures and ensure that assigned projects are completed within the approved budget.
• Ensure that accurate and timely narrative and financial reports are provided by the Finance Manager on a regular basis.
• Support the Finance Manager in his/her efforts to ensure that operations remain financially efficient and cost-effective by identifying opportunities to secure maximal cost recovery.
  
  

Responsibility 5: Personnel and Resource Management

• Provide active leadership, direction, expertise, and innovation in human resource planning and the management of subordinate employees.
  
  

What we are looking for:

• University degree in a related field (e.g., humanitarian studies, disaster preparedness/management) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum eight to ten years of work experience in programming in conflict/post-conflict, disaster recovery, international development, and/or humanitarian contexts.
• Demonstrated success acting as a senior representative and leading and managing diverse and multidisciplinary teams, preferably within a matrix environment.
• Prior experience working with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is required.
• Demonstrated experience developing institutional relationships/partnerships and managing relationships with multiple internal/external stakeholders.
• Experience with project/program management and results-based management, including planning, monitoring, and evaluating projects in complex environments.
• Experience managing Government of Canada funded projects considered an asset.
• Expert understanding of Ukraine and other countries in the region context and ability to effectively carry out country-level planning and coordination with a wide range of different stakeholders.
• Excellent English written and verbal communication. Fluent Ukrainian language skills are assets.
• In depth knowledge of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and of the Canadian Red Cross Society’s international operations is a definite asset.
• Familiarity with MS Office Suite and other relevant software/programs
• Strong financial management skills and ability to develop, manage, and monitor budgets.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize complex information, produce engaging presentations and reports, and communicate key concepts to a variety of audiences and stakeholders.
• Ability to assess risks to CRC personnel, programs, and projects and develop strategies and procedures to minimize risks when possible.
• Proven organizational, problem-solving, strategic thinking, and analytical skills.
• Ability to evaluate and make sound decisions in a solution focused environment.
• Strong people management skills and ability to motivate, mentor, and support others.
• Sound judgement and ability to exercise discretion, diplomacy, and professionalism.
• Ability to develop strong cross-functional working relationships and negotiate effectively.
• Strong cultural sensitivity, political acumen, and ability to work in diverse contexts.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, reprioritize tasks and activities, navigate change, and meet tight deadlines in an evolving and often ambiguous environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a diverse and multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to the Principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
  
  

Working Conditions :

• Ability to be medically cleared for travel in accordance with CRC medical criteria. This is a field-based position.
• Working in countries of operation is very demanding, both physically and psychologically.
• Ability to work in a high risk, fluid, and evolving situation and under stressful and ambiguous conditions may be required due to the dynamic nature of emergencies.
• Delegates can be confronted to several psychosocial risks, including concerns about their security, confinement, lack of privacy, cultural adaptation, long working hours, high workload, job security, and internal conflicts.
• Difficult and demanding working conditions are expected and can including the following:
• Issues of access and mobility due to proximity to disaster affected areas.
• Living conditions with intermittent electricity, internet, and other basic services.
• Long hours of work in a demanding context with limited resources
• Stressful rapidly changing environment with limited information to make decisions. 
• In some contexts, legal frameworks and institutions to enforce the rule of law are largely undeveloped.
• In some remote areas access to healthcare could be limited or non-existent
• As we work with and support people (managers, colleagues, beneficiaries/customers, volunteers, donors and external partners) and communities in Canada and around the world, applicants whose first language is not English may be required to perform the responsibilities of the role in English.
• Eligibility to work in Canada: At this time, we welcome applications from candidates eligible to work in Canada. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, we encourage you to carefully review your visa to find out whether you are eligible to work in the job you are considering applying for. Refer to our FAQ for more information.
• If you are selected for this role, you will be required to complete a successful pre-employment screening process which includes a satisfactory Enhanced Police Information Check (E-PIC).