Радник/ця з операційної діяльності проєкту UCORD (повна зайнятість)

Ukraine’s Cohesion and Regional Development Project, UCORD is looking for а  Operations Advisor
Operations Advisor is a senior level manager, that directly reports to the Team Leader

Background

Ukraine’s Cohesion and Regional Development project, UCORD, is implemented with support of Switzerland via the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, by NIRAS Sweden AB. 

UCORD aims for citizens, businesses, and public authorities to contribute and equally benefit from recovery actions and coherent regional development that fosters improved quality of life, resilience, peace, and social cohesion in Ukraine. The project currently supports six pilot oblasts of Ukraine: Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Volyn, and Odesa oblasts, targeting capacity development and awareness-raising initiatives throughout the country. UCORD consists of three components: 

• Component 1 embeds regional policy development in Ukraine by supporting and strengthening Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in pilot oblasts.
• Component 2 aims to improve public service delivery in the WASAW (water supply, sanitation, and waste management) sector, with a focus on environmental sustainability.
• Component 3 aims to construct social cohesion through culture, dialogue, and creative industries.   

The tasks and duties for Operations Advisor include the following:

• Provide overall leadership and coordination to finance, procurement, administration and grant management teams
• Ensure alignment of all operational functions with UCORD policies, procedures and systems in line with SDC and NIRAS’ rules and regulations
• Promote effective teamwork, clear delegation and accountability across finance, procurement, administration and grant management units
• Supervise budgeting, forecasting, accounting and financial reporting processes
• Ensure adequate financial liquidity to support uninterrupted operations ща UCORD
• Maintain close coordination with SDC Finance Officer, Finance Controller and NIRAS Sweden Finance manager on the finance related issues
• Review and validate monthly and consolidated financial reports prepared by Finance Advisor before submission to Financial controller and NIRAS in Stockholm
• Conduct regular reviews of accounting records, financial transactions and reconciliations to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Monitor disbursements and budget performance, providing timely inputs to semi-annual and annual reports of UCORD
• Maintain effective internal controls to safeguard assets
• Ensure readiness for internal and external audits
• Supervise the filing and archiving of all financial, administrative documents as well as grants and contractual records
• Monitor timely submission and correctness of UCORD’s staff timesheets
• Maintain accurate records of staff workdays, leave balances and short-term experts workdays
• Coordinate UCORD’s HR procedures, ensuring compliance with labour law and internal HR policies
• Supervise recruitment processes of both long-term and short-term experts, ensuring transparency and compliance with procedures
• Supervise procurement process of goods and services in compliance with the established procurement procedures
• Oversee tendering, contracting and vendor selection for local providers
• Coordinate quality check of contracted service providers
• Supervise grant management cycle ensuring compliance with SDC and NIRAS requirements and UCORD procedures
• Conduct regular reviews of financial, procurement, grants, HR and administrative processes and procedures of UCORD; and propose improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance
• Support the development and update of operational manuals, templates and checklists
• Provide operational and advisory support to UCORD team, short- and long-term experts and vendors on all the financial, administrative, HR, grant and procurement matters, regulations and requirements as per the established rules and regulations
• Provide other relevant duties as assigned by the Team leader

Qualifications:

 Education  

• University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in finance, accounting, economics, business administration, public administration, or related field.
• A first-level university degree combined with additional relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Professional certification is an asset.

Experience

• At least 7–10 years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, procurement, HR, or grant management, preferably with international projects.
• Proven track record in managing multi-functional operational teams.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, accounting, financial reporting, and audits.
• Demonstrated experience with donor-funded projects (ideally SDC, EU, or similar).
• Previous involvement in procurement, tendering, vendor selection, and contract management.
• Experience overseeing HR processes, including recruitment and compliance with labour law.
• Strong background in grant management cycles.

Knowledge

• Solid understanding of financial management standards, internal controls, and compliance frameworks.
• Familiarity with SDC rules and regulations will be an advantage.
• Good grasp of Ukrainian labour law and HR practices.
• Knowledge of procurement principles and transparency standards.
• Understanding of grant management procedures and donor reporting requirements.
• Awareness of institutional strengthening and operational capacity-building.

Skills

• Strong leadership and team coordination skills, with ability to promote accountability and teamwork.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities for financial and operational issues.
• High level of organisational skills to manage multiple processes simultaneously.
• Ability to review, validate, and present financial and operational information clearly.
• Strong communication skills (oral and written), with ability to liaise effectively with donors, HQ, and local partners.
• Fluency in Ukrainian and very good command of English (written and spoken).
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and financial/accounting software.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to meet deadlines under pressure.

Response evaluation and selection:

Interested candidates should send their proposals to [email protected] by 28 September 2025.

The proposal should include the following documents:

- а cover letter outlining relevant experience.
- Up-to-date CV outlining relevant experience and qualifications, including at least three contact addresses.

Please indicate the following in the subject line of the email: UCORD Operations Advisor
The proposal should be submitted in English.