Head of Business Administration Ukraine (100%)

Swisscontact is an independent non-profit development organisation established in 1959 by representatives of the Swiss private sector and civil society. Our development work focuses on private sector-led, sustainable economic development with improved quality of life for all in developing and emerging countries. A key focus is to strengthen the skills of individuals and foster the competitiveness of businesses.

The organisation is currently active in over 130 projects in 41 countries with around 1100 employees. It is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.

Swisscontact is currently implementing three projects in Ukraine in the areas of vocational education (EdUP), professionalization of SMEs in the vegetable and livestock industry (Empower AgriWomen) and trade promo-tion (SIPPO). With the new Building Livelihoods and Opportunities for Optimised Markets (BLOOM) project, we are continuing our growth in the country.

As a key member of the Ukraine Country Management Team, the Head of Business Administration oversees, guides, and supports all administrative and financial activities for Swisscontact in Ukraine. In this pivotal role, you will ensure operational efficiency and the robustness of our administrative systems, driving continuous improvement and alignment with organizational goals. Reporting directly to the Country Director Ukraine and with technical direction from the Head of Business Administration Eastern Europe, you will provide critical in-sights to support sound decision-making and sustainable growth. The position is a core part of the Ukraine Country Management team. The starting date for this position is early 2026. The contract duration is 2 years with option of renewal.

Important note:

• The position is based in Kyiv, Ukraine, with occasional travel within Eastern Europe region. Due to the critical situation and risks involved, this is considered a non-family duty station.
• For this international position we only consider candidates who have worked in countries beyond their home country.

Tasks:

• Lead and oversee financial planning, budgeting, and monitoring for Swisscontact Ukraine
• Collaborate closely with Country Business Administrators, Regional Corporate Project Accountant and Head of BA Eastern Europe to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting
• Ensure strict adherence to Swisscontact’s Internal Control System (ICS)
• Strengthen, harmonize, and implement financial and administrative procedures and tools in line with regional guidelines
• Coordinate timely external audits and support the implementation of audit recommendations
• Conduct internal audits as required by management
• Ensure effective implementation of HR policies, including recruitment, performance management, and compensation reviews
• Oversee legal and tax compliance for all Swisscontact operations in Ukraine
• Supervise IT infrastructure and support the rollout of digital tools and systems
• Advise and support management on critical financial, administrative, and compliance matters
• Organize knowledge-sharing initiatives and harmonize best practices across the Country Office
• Perform other duties as required by the Country Director or Regional Office

Requirements

• Master's degree in business administration, Finance, or related field. Professional certifications (e.g., CPA, ACCA, Project Management) are deemed advantageous
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in financial and administrative management, preferably in international development or NGO's
• Proven experience in managing country-level operations, including finance, HR, compliance, legal and IT
• Experience working in complex and high business growth environments
• Strong budgeting, reporting, HR, and IT oversight skills. Familiarity with donor compliance and ERP systems
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge in Ukrainian or Slavic language will be an advantage
• Strong people management skills
• Professional experience working outside the country of origin, as this is an expatriate position

Swisscontact offers attractive working conditions in an international and multicultural context. We see our work as a joint effort in an agile organizational culture: mutual respect, trust and teamwork.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents: letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, diplomas and references until 5 December 2025. Please apply exclusively via the online application portal.