Head of Country Office

At DCAF, we envision a world where democratic sector governance advances sustainable peace and development and human dignity for all.

Our mission is to advance the security of all people through nationally owned, inclusive, and participatory security sector reforms based on international norms and good practices.

DCAF contributes to making peace and development more sustainable by assisting partner states and international actors supporting these states, to improve the governance of their security sector through inclusive and participatory reforms. It creates innovative knowledge products, promotes norms and good practices, provides legal and policy advice and supports capacity‐building of both state and non‐state security sector stakeholders.

The Europe and Asia Entity at DCAF works across Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, Central Asia and other parts of Europe and Asia, providing policy advice, capacity-building, technical assistance and support to institutional reforms. Its work covers areas such as democratic oversight, accountability, integrity and anti-corruption, human rights, defence and security governance, and institutional resilience, working closely with governments, parliaments, security institutions, civil society and international partners.

For our country office in Kyiv, Ukraine, we are looking for a highly-motivated and dynamic individual to be our next Head of Country Office (Europe and Asia).

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

Starting date: As soon as possible

Work rate: 100%

Duration: 2-year fixed-term contract *

The role

The Head of Country Office provides senior country-level leadership for DCAF’s engagement in Ukraine, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Kyiv Country Office and ensuring effective coordination between programme delivery, Ukrainian partner institutions, donors, international stakeholders and DCAF headquarters. The position provides strategic and operational direction to DCAF’s country presence, ensuring that programmes are implemented effectively, responsively and in line with DCAF’s strategic objectives.

The Head of Country Office is responsible for maintaining and developing trusted relationships with Ukrainian authorities, security sector institutions and other national stakeholders, as well as supporting high-level engagement with donors and international partners. The position monitors the evolving political, institutional and security context in Ukraine and ensures that DCAF’s engagement remains responsive to emerging needs and opportunities. The role also oversees country-level operational risk management and staff security, ensuring that DCAF maintains an effective and responsible presence in a complex and rapidly evolving environment.

Within the team structure, the Head of Country Office serves as the senior country-level management and coordination function, providing leadership and direction to Kyiv-based staff and ensuring coherence across DCAF’s country portfolio. The position works closely with Programme Manager, National Advisors and Geneva-based team and coordinates with relevant donors, partners and stakeholders. The Head of Country Office reports to the Team Leader in Geneva.

Key areas of operation

• Lead DCAF’s country presence in Ukraine, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Kyiv Country Office and ensuring effective delivery of DCAF’s programmes and activities.
• Represent DCAF with Ukrainian authorities, security sector institutions, civil society, donors and international partners, and build and maintain high-level institutional relationships.
• Provide strategic direction and coordination to Kyiv-based staff, ensuring effective collaboration across programmes, thematic portfolios and country-level activities.
• Monitor Ukraine’s political, institutional and security environment and translate relevant developments into strategic advice, programme adjustments and engagement priorities.
• Lead country-level engagement with donors and partners, including high-level meetings, missions and coordination processes, and support resource mobilisation and development of new opportunities.
• Oversee operational risk management, duty of care and staff security for the Kyiv office, ensuring that DCAF’s country presence operates effectively and responsibly in a complex and high-risk environment.

Your experience

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience, including significant experience in programme management, international cooperation, governance, security sector reform or a related field.
• Professional proficiency in English and Ukrainian, with the ability to represent DCAF effectively and engage confidently with Ukrainian and international stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in senior-level stakeholder engagement and representation, including working with government institutions, international organisations, donors and other strategic partners.
• Proven experience in managing teams and operations, ideally in a field-based or complex international environment, including experience with operational risk management and staff security.
• Experience working in complex and rapidly evolving environments, with the ability to provide strategic leadership, exercise sound judgement and adapt organisational priorities to changing circumstances.
• Ukrainian citizenship at the time of application is a prerequisite.

We offer

• a rewarding, dynamic and meaningful work experience
• the chance to be part of a diverse team of collaborative, respectful, hardworking and values-driven people
• the chance to contribute to advance the security of all people through nationally owned, inclusive, and participatory security sector reforms based on international norms and good practices
• the position is offered on the basis of an official employment contract, with all applicable taxes and statutory social security contributions paid by the employer in accordance with Ukrainian legislation
• the expected net monthly salary (after applicable taxes and employee social security contributions) is EUR 3,000–3,300, depending on qualifications and relevant experience.

* The post remains subject to continued project funding.