CEO /Виконавчий директор/ка в WWF-Україна

WWF Worldwide. WWF is the world’s largest conservation organization, founded in 1961. We’re active in nearly 100 countries and have over 7700 employees. For nearly 60 years, WWF has worked for a living planet where people and nature thrive. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature. 

The organisation is unique in working across all sectors, with governments and public authorities, the private sector, civil society, and individuals around the world to develop and deliver innovative solutions that protect communities, wildlife, and the places in which they live. Globally, WWF focuses on the following areas: Forests, Freshwater, Wildlife, Oceans, Climate, Food, as well as cross-cutting issues of finance, governance, and markets.

WWF Central and Eastern Europe (WWF-CEE) is the first multi-country member of the WWF global network. It is responsible for leading and, to a significant extent, implementing WWF’s efforts to preserve, restore, and sustainably manage the natural values across what we call the “Green Heart of Europe”, including Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, and Ukraine. With a team of 240 professionals, we work across political borders and sectors to facilitate solutions for long-term sustainable development that work with rather than against nature. 

WWF-Ukraine is a member of WWF-CEE. Formally established in 2019, the organization builds on 25 years of WWF engagement in Ukraine on issues from wetland restoration to forest conservation and management. The WWF-Ukraine team of ca 25 professionals based mainly in Kyiv and Lviv currently comprises specialists working on forests, freshwater, wildlife as well as governance and public policy, corporate engagement, marketing as well as finance and administration. WWF-Ukraine has a solid record on conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of natural resources. Building on this record, in recent years the focus of the organization has been on leveraging WWF Network expertise and support to contribute to regenerate Ukraine following the Russian invasion and support the country’s integration into the European Union. 

We are currently looking for a seasoned Chief Executive Officer with a strategic mindset to lead the further development of the Ukrainian office. The role will be instrumental in leveraging the organisation’s record and strengths with know-how and resources from the WWF Network to substantially contribute to a sustainable future for Ukraine. A key focus will be on building a well-functioning organization and increasing the organisation’s engagement and brand, including cultivating a constituency of support among individuals and partnerships with the corporate and other sectors.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Regional CEO of WWF-CEE, based in Vienna, the CEO will be the key executive responsible for the following major functions: 

Set the direction for the organisation

• Set the direction of the organisation by leading development and implementation of the Strategic and Annual Plans and related budgets. 
• Oversee the fundraising plan for WWF-Ukraine, in line with financial objectives, and the fundraising processes, including the cultivation of major fundraising opportunities, particularly from public, corporate and WWF Network sources. 

Align the organization by cultivating a positive and constructive organisational culture 

• Cultivate and inspire a culture of collaboration and accountability in line with the values and principles of WWF-CEE and the broader WWF Network. 
• Oversee the people and talent development plan, aiming for the best use of team members’ capacities and development potential (including succession planning).

Manage personal effectiveness and mobilise through leaders 

• Lead by example, maintaining focus on the CEO’s core strategic responsibilities and empowering others to lead in their domains.
• Work with and through the Senior Management Team to drive organisational development and superior performance. 
• Develop and lead the Senior Management of WWF-Ukraine and ensure its efficient operation, including necessary capacity and management skills.

Engage stakeholders 

• Engage with relevant stakeholders. Cultivate close relations and partnerships that can further the priorities and objectives of WWF in Ukraine. 
• Represent WWF-Ukraine in regional decision-making as a member of the WWF-CEE regional Strategic Management Team (rSMT), in the WWF-European CEO Forum, and across the WWF Network, including WWF Assembly and Global Conference. 

Ensure good governance 

• Act as secretary and focal point for the General Assembly. 
• Responsible for the good management of WWF’s operations in Ukraine in line with legal and reporting requirements and WWF standards. Ensure legal and reporting requirements and any other statutory requirements are met. 

Ensure good management

• Ensure that WWF-Ukraine has the necessary efficient structures, systems, processes, capacities, and resources to achieve strategic, operational, and organisational development objectives and meet statutory requirements and WWF standards. 
• Oversee an effective plan and system for monitoring and evaluation as part of the annual planning and monitoring cycle and within the framework of regional planning of WWF-CEE, formulate and propose management responses to monitoring results.
• Oversee the country budget for WWF-Ukraine and monitor the achievement of financial objectives in line with agreed financial plans in the framework of the regional plan and budget.

Requirements:

• Advanced technical qualifications or a university degree with over 10 years of experience or a post-graduate qualification with 8 years of management experience, preferably in an NGO.
• Good organizational planning and management, financial planning and budgeting, fundraising and donor cultivation, and human resource management knowledge.
• An appreciation of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development issues, particularly regarding Ukraine and the broader region of Central and Southeastern Europe. 
• Proven experience in managing at least a small team and office.
• Experience with strategic and operational planning and monitoring of implementation, representation of a brand/organization, positioning, and creation of strategic partnerships.
• Proven experience in organizational planning and development, change management processes, and overseeing budgeting and fundraising processes. 
• Proven ability to manage interdisciplinary professional staff. 
• Decision-making skills with a strong business acumen and drive for results.
• Diplomatic and cultural skills to work with a broad array of individuals from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English. Native Ukrainian.
• Proven ability to fundraise and manage funds creatively to support the costs of a team and its operations. 
• Ability to collaborate seamlessly within the matrix organisational structure, engaging with colleagues from both national and regional teams to contribute to cohesive workflows.
• Experienced in navigating a matrix setting, leveraging cross-functional and cross-country collaboration to enhance overall team performance.
• Aligns with the core values of WWF: Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration, and adheres to WWF’s mission and Code of Conduct.

We offer:

• The opportunity to make a difference – for Ukraine, the CEE region, and for WWF 
• Challenging and fulfilling work in one of Europe’s most valuable eco-regions 
• Friendly and highly professional working atmosphere in an international context 
• Varying tasks and an independent work style 
• A pleasant working atmosphere and a great learning environment 
• Salary according to NGO standards

The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible. Location – Kyiv.

If you feel up to the challenge and the job post speaks to you, please send your CV and motivation letter in English, stating your interest in this position to Tsveta Petrushinova, Regional Manager, Human Resources at [email protected], no later than 8 June 2025.

Please understand that we can only reply to short-listed candidates. 

For further information on WWF-CEE, see online: www.wwfcee.org, and for WWF-Ukraine, check www.wwf.ua.