ROLE PURPOSE:

As a member of the Senior Management Team (SMT) in Ukraine, the Director of Finance and IT shares in the overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the Country Office (CO). The Director of Finance and IT, in his/her capacity will be accountable to the Country Director for overseeing the finance and IT services and co-accountable with other senior leaders for risk management, in both emergencies and development programming contexts. Play a key role in advancing Save the Children’s Localization agenda, working closely with Partner NGOs.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to:

• Leadership of the Ukraine Country Office

• Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects Save the Childen’s mandate and values, and promotes accountability and high performance

• Encourage a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation

• Motivate our team people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent customer service for SC members and donors

• Help design and implement a coherent organizational structure that is consistent with agency practices and appropriate to program needs

• Help establish, maintain, and improve active and regular working relationships with: host government authorities, partner agencies including humanitarian and development donors, and local and international NGOs

• Ensure that the Ukraine CO complies with all Save the Children’s Quality Framework Essential Standards and Standard Operating Procedures

• Ensure that all required support is provided promptly, at scale and in line with the rules and principles during emergencies, working closely with the Finance Global Team

• Advance Save the Children’s Localization Strategy in the area of Partnerships; adjust existing ways of working as needed in close collaboration with Operations and Awards team

Planning and Budgeting

• Assist the Country Director (CD) in the management /administration of the Country Office resources and its sub-office(s) including (a) the formulation of country work program and resource allocation, (b) providing effective support and guidance to the Senior Leadership Team and other key program staff during planning and allocation exercises; (c) monitoring implementation of donor agreements and resource utilization. Highlight variances, provide analyses and recommend resolution or reallocation of resources

• Work along with the SMT in developing plans to meet funding and programming needs. This includes diversification of funding resources

• Identify and effectively manage all key risks, especially financial, related to delivering the Country Office program. Develop mitigation plans at proposal stage

• Ensure correct level of budget authority exists within Country Office and Area Offices

• Manage financial aspects of budget development for new proposals

• Ensure appropriate and adequate emergency finance procedures are detailed in the Country Office Emergency Preparedness Plan in order to enable rapid scale up

• Ensure budget holders understand their responsibilities (e.g., through training)

• Ensure Area Offices receive adequate support to operate efficient accounting systems, including timely receipt of monthly budget variance analysis by budget holders, timely answers to queries and scheduling tasks and deadlines

Financial Accounting, Reporting, and Control

• Manage the Country Office financial systems and provide the SMT and ESMT a monthly update on the budget variance analysis

• Ensure with the SMT that systems are in place for the control of all assets, funds, equipment, property, and facilities; submit timely financial reports to centre, Regional Office and donors as required

• Ensure that effective systems are put in place, and regularly reviewed, to allow adequate financial management and control including:

  • Annual accounts and tax statement preparation

  • Accounting and management information systems

  • Cash and cash flow management and control in particular gain/losses on currency exchange

  • Financial procedures during emergency responses, including meeting all relevant responsibilities in the -Rules and Principles for Emergency Response

  • Expenditure procedures, especially around procurement

  • Documentation of all controls and procedures

  • Finance training for staff in the field and partners

  • Availability of funds for Area Offices and the Country Office

• Monitor accurate and timely submission of financial reports and attachments to SC Members, donors and government regulatory agencies

• Ensure quarterly effort reporting is prepared with major variances discussed with the Global Finance Team

• Coordinate submission of control reports, respond to findings and recommend resolutions or action plans

• Lead and participate in the development of finance policies and procedures to be able to maintain a well-financially controlled environment in both development and emergency contexts

• Coordinate and assist CD and the Awards Director during any internal or external audits

• Ensure monthly financial reviews (MFRs) are prepared, reviewed with CD, and submitted to the Global Finance team in a timely manner

Financial Reporting

• Monitor completion of financial reports for awards. Ensure proper accounting and closing of books upon receipt of completed reports and documents from Area Offices and partners

• Provide guidance to finance and non-finance staff and coordinate efforts to ensure compliance with donor agreement requirements and conditions.

• Work with budget holders to estimate funds request on a timely basis to ensure resources are in place for carrying project activities; and that reporting requirements and deliverables are met

• Ensure Country Office treasury operations are adequately managed

• Ensure that donor financial reports are aligned with donor requirements

• Prepare monthly financial and analytical report and ensure submission of all required reports to Global Finance Team

• Prepare audited financial statements after the year end organise all statutory and donors audit as per set time frames

Information Technology

• Ensure sophisticated, efficient, cost effective Information Technology Systems are in place which is also in compliance with SCI Quality Framework – with a specific focus on ensuring sufficient primary and backup connectivity and bandwidth in CO and all Field Offices

• Strive to support programmes with innovative IT solutions to support their work

• Responsible for ensuring CO internal and external communications systems function effectively and efficiently and that sufficient backup communications and redundancies exist

Risk Management

• Participate in the preparation of Quarterly Risk Management Register in consultation with SMT in accordance with the SCI Quality Framework Essential Standards

• Undertake the financial risk assessments of all new partners and monitoring of on-going risk in coordination with SMT

• Support CD and SMT in keeping analysis of the internal and external risks and threats and appropriate mitigation measures up to date

Staff Management, Mentorship, and Development

• Responsible for appropriate staffing within Finance and IT teams

• Manage Finance and IT team; define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed, and evaluate direct reports regularly

• Responsible for the recruitment, training, and promotion of staff as appropriate and ensure availability of appropriate professional development opportunities for staff;

• Manage the performance of all staff in the Finance and IT work area through staff development strategies and Performance Management Systems. Establish results- based system and follow up

• Develop staff through the following methods

  • Effective use of the Performance Management System including the establishment of clear, measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews and fair and unbiased evaluations

  • Coaching, mentoring and other developmental opportunities

  • Recognition and rewards for outstanding performance

  • Documentation of performance that is at standard and above and less than satisfactory, with appropriate performance improvements/work plans

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability

• Takes personal responsibility for decisions, effective use of resources, high-quality results, and acting in alignment with Save the Children values.

• Supports colleagues and partners to take ownership of their responsibilities by providing guidance, opportunities for development, and constructive feedback.

• Addresses underperformance proactively and fairly, ensuring accountability for outcomes.

Ambition

• Sets clear, ambitious goals for themselves and contributes to a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth.

• Actively promotes and communicates the vision of Save the Children to inspire, motivate and engage others.

• Thinks creatively and strategically to drive progress and long-term impact for children.

Collaboration

• Builds positive, trusting, and inclusive relationships with staff, partners, and stakeholders.

• Values diversity and different perspectives as strengths that enhance the organization’s collective impact.

• Demonstrates strong communication skills, showing empathy, openness, and willingness to support others.

Creativity

• Proactively seeks and encourages innovative, practical solutions to improve effectiveness and staff experience.

• Confident in proposing new ideas and taking responsible, well-considered risks to enhance results.

Integrity

• Acts with honesty, fairness and professionalism in all interactions.

• Promotes an environment of transparency, trust, and mutual respect, upholding the highest ethical standards.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Qualified finance professional preferred (recognised accounting qualification such as CIMA, ACCA, CPA) with experience operating in a global and complex organisation

• Recommended a minimum of 10 years senior management experience in an International NGO environment

• Ability to plan and organise a substantial workload that includes complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities in both development and complex emergency contexts

• Work with partner NGOs highly desired

• Demonstrated credibility with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels of an organization

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to demonstrate skills in leading a multi- disciplined team through a period of change

• Leadership skills, including the ability to supervise and motivate qualified professional staff with strong personal value systems

• Analytical, decision making and strategic planning skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities

• Ability to coach, mentor, delegate appropriately and provide developmental guidance to supervised staff

• Team building skills

• Competent level skills in core IT applications, particularly MS Office

• A commitment to the values and principles of Save the Children

• Experience working in a humanitarian response

• High level of commitment to the principles of development and to the organizational and programmatic goals of Save the Children

Safeguarding

We need to keep children and communities safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children, adults in the communities and staff from abuse, exploitation, neglect and harm arising from our activities. The role holder shall perform their duties in line with the SCI Safeguarding Policy, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in both private and professional life.

Equal Opportunities

The role holder needs to perform the duties in accordance with SCI's equality, timeliness and diversity policies and procedures.

Health and safety

The role holder shall perform the necessary duties in accordance with the SCI health and safety policies and procedures.

Preventing Fraud, Bribery and Corruption

The role holder shall perform the necessary duties in according with Counter-Fraud, Bribery & Corruption Policy and keep any activity during performance of duties free from any instances of fraud, bribery, theft and corruption.

In your cover letter, indicate your expected salary and English proficiency level.

How to apply

If you’re interested in this position, we invite you to submit your resume via the following link: Director of Finance and IT, Ukraine Response - SCI Career Site Careers