Senior Project Manager

Job Title: Senior Project Manager

Project Name: Special Defence Advisor (Defence Reform)

Location of Position: Ukraine, Kyiv (on-site)

Reporting to: Team Lead

Remuneration: Fees are subject to negotiation in line with market rates

Indicative LOE/Time Frame: Full-Time, June 2026 - March 2027

Citizenship: Ukrainian

Language Requirements: Ukrainian native speaker, fluent in English.

Application Deadline: 3 June 2026

Application Instructions:

1. A cover letter is mandatory to be considered. Cover letters should effectively align your skills and experiences with the specific job responsibilities outlined in the position's description, demonstrating your aptitude and enthusiasm for the role, your daily fee and current availability.

2. Click the "Apply Now" link to upload your cover letter and CV in English.

3. Only successful shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Alinea is an international development consultancy providing technical and management expertise that helps people improve their lives. Alinea works with governments, investors, companies, and communities to create lasting change. Over 39 years, Alinea has successfully delivered more than 1,000 projects worldwide. For more information, please visit Alinea International website.

Alinea International does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment and hiring process. All offers of employment or job opportunities with Alinea International that include any form of a request for payment of fees or collect information on bank accounts are fraudulent. Any requests for such payment or information should be refused and reported to your local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action and to Alinea International.

At Alinea International we value diversity, equity, inclusivity, accessibility and belonging in everything we do. We are an equal opportunity employer opposed to all forms of discrimination. We actively seek and encourage applications from people of diverse backgrounds recognizing that an inclusive workforce enriches our organization and achieves smarter, more innovative results.

Alinea is committed to the protection of children and vulnerable adults. Due to the nature of our work, all candidates will be subject to due diligence checks and extensive background checks where appropriate.

Project Description:

Alinea International has been contracted by the UK Government to support defence reforms in Ukraine, working with civil society, Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, and other relevant stakeholders. The project is designed to support defence reforms in Ukraine with a view to making the sector more efficient and accountable.

About the Work:

The Senior Project Manager will provide strategic project, partnership, and financial management support to a UK Government-funded defence reform initiative in Ukraine. Working closely with the Team Leader, Delivery Director, delivery partners, and Alinea's head office, the successful candidate will coordinate project implementation, quarterly work plans and budgets, oversee financial management and partner engagement, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality outputs in line with donor expectations.

The position involves managing complex stakeholder relationships, contracts, client communications, budgeting, reporting, risk management, and operational coordination in a fast-paced and politically sensitive environment. The ideal candidate will bring substantial experience managing international development programmes, strong leadership and organisational skills, and the ability to work effectively across diverse institutional and cultural contexts.

The Role:

Project Management & Oversight

- Oversee overall project implementation to ensure adherence to project plans, donor requirements, contractual obligations, and Alinea policies and procedures

- Support the Team Leader in coordinating project teams, consultants, and delivery partners to ensure high-quality outputs are delivered on time and within budget

- Liaise with project partners and the MEL team to monitor day-to-day activities, track progress against work plans and results frameworks, and ensure timely resolution of implementation challenges

- Develop and maintain detailed work plans, delivery trackers, and risk management frameworks to proactively identify and mitigate operational and programmatic risks

- Ensure compliance with donor policies and Alinea internal procedures, including procurement, financial management, safeguarding, and reporting requirements

- Contribute to adaptive management and strategic planning processes to support effective programme delivery in a complex operating environment

Financial and Budget Management

- Manage the project budget to ensure efficient allocation of resources and achievement of financial targets in line with Alinea's commercial proposal and donor requirements

- Lead monthly and quarterly work-planning and budgeting processes in coordination with the Team Lead, head office, and delivery/consortium partners

- Monitor project expenditures, forecasts, and burn rates, proactively identifying variances and recommending corrective actions where required

- Prepare and review financial reports, forecasts, and client invoices in collaboration with Alinea head office

- Support oversight of grants, partner budgets, and financial compliance processes, where applicable

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

- Act as the principal point of contact for the client on finance, operational, and administrative matters

- Build and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, including government counterparts, implementing partners, consultants, and grant recipients

- Coordinate with partners to monitor implementation progress, address delays or risks proactively, and support effective communication across all stakeholders

- Demonstrate diplomatic tact and professionalism when engaging across institutional, political, and cultural contexts

Reporting and Quality Assurance

- Report regularly, jointly with the Team Leader, to the Delivery Director on project progress, risks, challenges, and opportunities

- Review and quality-assure technical and financial deliverables to ensure compliance with donor and Alinea standards

- Support preparation of donor reports, briefing materials, presentations, and other project documentation as required

- Ensure accurate project documentation and audit-ready records are maintained throughout implementation

Required Qualifications:

Mandatory:

- Bachelor's degree in international development, business administration, public administration, finance, or a related field (Master's degree preferred)

- Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in international development, donor-funded programming, or related fields, including substantial experience in project and financial management

- Demonstrated experience managing complex projects in fast-paced and politically sensitive environments

- Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, client relationship management, and coordination across multiple institutional counterparts

- Strong understanding of budget management, forecasting, financial reporting, and donor compliance processes

- Experience supporting results-based management, reporting frameworks, and programme monitoring processes

- Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and tight deadlines

- Advanced proficiency in MS Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint

- Fluency in English (C1/C2) and native-level Ukrainian required

- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills

- Demonstrated ability to work effectively across institutional contexts, languages, and cultures

Desirable:

- Previous experience working on governance, security, or defence-related programmes

- Experience working with UK Government-funded programmes or other major international donors

- Experience managing grants and partner compliance processes

- Ability to prioritise and manage time efficiently with a high level of attention to detail

- A collaborative team player who readily supports colleagues and contributes to a positive working environment