Ukraine - Deputy Field Coordinator for Program (M/F) - KHARKIV

About us

Desired start date: 15.09.2026
Duration of the mission: 6 months (with possible prolongation)
Location: Kharkiv

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL (SI) is an international humanitarian aid association which, since more than 40 years, has been providing assistance to populations affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters by meeting their basic needs for food, water and shelter. Particularly committed to the fight against diseases linked to unsafe water, the leading cause of death in the world, SI's interventions provide expertise in the field of access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, but also in the essential area of food security and livelihoods. Present in 26 countries, the SI teams – 3200 people in total, made up of expatriates, national staff, permanent staff at HQ, and a few volunteers - intervene with professionalism and commitment while respecting cultural norms.

About the mission

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces, SI has been responding to the needs of the population living in areas under Government control. While programming in 2022 and 2023 was—rightly—focused on immediate emergency response, the year 2024 marked a transition toward a more balanced approach, combining both emergency and early recovery interventions.
SI’s main strategic objective for 2026 is to strengthen and clearly position its comparative advantage in Ukraine. The ambition is for SI to build a recognized and demonstrable expertise in WASH and Shelter. The program strategy for 2026 therefore focuses on two core sectors—WASH and Shelter—and is structured around two strategic axes:
1. Respond to both acute and chronic emergencies
2. Contribute to creating the conditions for dignified return or sustainable stay in stable areas through a recovery-oriented approach
To maximize the impact of its interventions, SI aims to further enhance sectoral integration and promote localized approaches.
In 2026, SI’s country program in Ukraine is expected to operate with a budget of approximately 10 million euros, with three field bases (Mykolaiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv), one coordination office in Kyiv, and a total of 110 staff, including around 15 expatriates.
The main donors in 2026 are CDCS, AFD, and ECHO. Additional donors have been approached to expand and diversify the portfolio further, in line with SI’s programmatic priorities.

About the job

General objective:

The Program Deputy Field Coordinator (P-DFC) is in charge of supervising the implementation of programs. In line with both SI annual country strategy and the evolution of the humanitarian needs in the area, the PDFCO will support designing and implementing new projects. She/He oversees the quality of project implementation through the direct management of Program Managers. She/he also supports the Field Coordinator (FC) in his representing tasks in external
meetings under FC delegation.

The main challenges:

• Highly volatile and unpredictable operational environment due to ongoing conflict and security constraints, impacting program planning and implementation
• Recently recruited Project Managers requiring targeted capacity building, close accompaniment, and strengthened managerial support
• Challenging and uncertain donor environment, requiring increased efforts in gaps and needs analysis, advocacy, proposal development and potential adaptation of the HR and programmatic structure
• Need to maintain strong program quality, coordination and accountability mechanisms while operating under sensitive modalities (e.g. RRM, partnerships)

Priorities for the first month:

• Get familiar with ongoing projects, team structures and operational procedures
• Review existing actor mapping and coordination mechanisms with local authorities, partners, and clusters
• Analyze available assessments and reports to understand priority needs and service coverage
• Support fundraising efforts (e.g. proposal writing, advocacy)
• Meet with Program and MEAL staff to understand their roles and capacities, identifying ways of working, strengths and weaknesses
• Position yourself as the focal point for partnerships for Kharkivska oblast

Security constraints:

Security in Kharkiv remains volatile. Since early 2025, air raid alerts have continued, though their frequency has decreased by around 50% following the introduction of the separate oblast/city alert system. Despite this, repeated alerts continue to create sustained stress for residents and staff. SI’s security setup provides strong mitigation measures, including a relatively less targeted location of the premises (office and guesthouses) and external security monitoring for air-raid alerts outside working hours.

Your profile

DIPLOMAS AND EXPERIENCE:

• A bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• Experience in the humanitarian sector : 3+ years
• Experience in a similar position : 1+ years
• An engineering background or education in WASH or a related technical field is considered an asset.
• Experience in humanitarian program management is required. Experience in partnerships management would be highly valuable.

SKILLS:

Technical Skills

1. Project management
2. Knowledge of SI and/or SI sectors of intervention (WASH, Shelter, FSL)
3. Experience in MEAL and/or grants management will be a strong asset
4. Experience in partnership implementation will be a strong asset

Transversal Skills

1. Team spirit & motivation
2. Good communication & coordination capacity
3. Assertiveness

Languages

1. Proficiency in English
2. French - an asset
3. Ukrainian or russian - an asset

SI will offer you

A salaried position:
According to experience, starting from EUR 2475 gross per month (2250 EUR base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of EUR 700.

SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate's country of origin and the place of assignment.

Breaks: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of 7 working days every three months (with a USD 850 break allowance, allocated by Sl). To these breaks periods, SI grants one (1) additional rest day per month worked.

Insurance package: Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which refunds all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

LIVING CONDITIONS:

• Guest House conditions
• Internet and telephone network
• Restaurant & social life