Chief Executive Officer

Introduction

The All-Ukrainian Charity Foundation Depaul Ukraine is looking for an exceptional leader to manage Depaul Ukraine in the development and delivery of a new strategic plan during a time of war and huge need across Ukraine.

Depaul Ukraine is part of the Depaul Group, which works across the world with a mission to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it.

The post-holder will bring practical experience of living and working with communities in crisis as well as in the management of humanitarian response work.

Depaul Ukraine is registered in Kharkiv and has the branches in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and Sniatyn.

Job Description

Organisational Leadership and Strategy

• Provide leadership to motivate staff, volunteers, partners, and other stakeholders to implement the plan of the organisation’s activities.
• Lead the delivery of Depaul Ukraine’s programmes from its branches in Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa and Sniatyn, and activities through partner organisations in other areas.
• Lead on the development of the organisation’s long-term strategy; working with the Trustees and across the charity to develop and deliver a long-term strategic plan in line with the Depaul Group mission, and an annual Business Plan, performance framework, and accompanying budget.
• Deliver effective strategies that enable clear planning, operations, risk management, controls and monitoring systems so that Depaul can:
  • Meet its strategic and operational objectives;
  • Optimise the use of its resource;
  • Have a strong and distinctive client focused culture;
  • Comply with financial, regulatory, and statutory obligations.
• Stimulate and negotiate new partnerships and opportunities and inspire continuous growth, development and volunteering activity to increase Depaul’s impact, ensuring this complements the longer-term strategy.
• Effectively manage the Senior Leadership team to monitor the organisation’s outputs, outcomes, and report to the Trustees, demonstrating that Depaul meets its mission and strategic aims.
• Develop and lead a structured process of change management, to respond to significant and ongoing changes to the organisation’s size and services.

Governance

• Develop a close working relationship with the Chair of the Board, ensuring a fulfilment of statutory functions with effective support for the organisation’s programme.
• Ensure effective governance by working closely with the Board to ensure it operates effectively and in accordance with its terms of reference.
• Ensure that the Trustees receive sufficient, timely and quality financial and performance information and advice in order to make informed decisions.
• Have overall responsibility for Depaul Ukraine’s corporate risk management process, escalating and reporting to the Trustees as appropriate.
• Oversee the development and implementation of a robust Policy Framework, in liaison with the Board and Senior Management Team.
• Take an active role in Depaul International’s Senior Management Group, leading on projects and initiatives as agreed with Depaul International’s Group CEO and the Chair of Depaul Ukraine.
• Work with the Board and Depaul International to ensure adherence to the Depaul Group Agreement, minimum standards and audit schedules.

Operational Leadership

• Ensure Depaul Ukraine’s clients receive the best possible service, by ensuring effective leadership of programmes and accountability.
• Develop and oversee quality assurance processes and compliance with related legislation, best practice, Core Humanitarian Standards, and Depaul Group minimum standards.
• Champion and create opportunities for client involvement in services and in all levels of decision making throughout the organisation.
• Lead and develop Depaul Ukraine’s employees to ensure high levels of engagement, implementing clear expectations, objectives, and targets.
• Create a culture of high performance, ensuring effecting performance management process are in place and staff wellbeing is prioritised.
• Oversee the development of an effective Human Resources function, providing necessary support, services and opportunities to employees and ensuring adherence to national legislation and best practice.
• Working with the Senior Management Team and Depaul International, oversee and manage business development, contractual obligations, donor compliance, and due diligence.
• Coordinate setting the annual organisational budget and regional budgets.
• Hold responsibility for ensuring that robust and effective financial controls, systems and processes are in place, and that financial risks are identified, reviewed, and mitigation measures established.
• Provide leadership in developing greater collaboration within Ukraine such as with District Mayors, local and national government, and civil society actors.
• Ensure clear and robust security management processes, procedures, and structures are fully embedded throughout the organisation.
• Lead a strong culture of safeguarding across the organisation, ensuring systems and processes are in place, staff are confident in their responsibilities, and there are clear lines of reporting and accountability.
• Demonstrate a visible commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, ensuring that all clients, staff, volunteers and stakeholders are treated equally and fairly and that there is a no-tolerance approach to discrimination.
• Ensure robust IT systems and security are in place, both to enable efficient working practices for staff and also to support effective Data Protection and Confidentiality processes.

Fundraising, Advocacy, and Communications

• Work with Depaul International in developing, overseeing, and delivering a long-term fundraising strategy, including the growth of the organisation’s voluntary and institutional income.
• Develop an in-country fundraising and business development team and income generation plan to ensure financial sustainability of the organisation, implementing the necessary systems, processes and functions to oversee effective grant management and successful donor relations.
• Proactively develop relationships with government and related agencies to promote the work of Depaul Ukraine and advocate for statutory funding of programmes.
• Develop Depaul Ukraine’s communication strategy and hold responsibility for maintaining the Depaul Group’s brand and messaging.

Influence and Stakeholder Management

• Be a strong ambassador for the charity, promoting Depaul Ukraine’s stance on homelessness both internally and externally, as well as representing the Fund effectively within the homelessness and humanitarian sectors.
• Work with government, statutory agencies, and representatives of the voluntary sector to promote legislative and regulatory policies.
• Build and maintain relationships with media, government and other agencies and influential figures, to develop Depaul Ukraine’s profile and reputation and promote the work, values, and strategic objectives of the charity.

Accountability

The CEO:

• Reports to the Chair of the Board of Trustees.
• Ensures a direct and regular line of communication with the Depaul International Group Chief Executive.
• Manages the Executive and Senior Operations Teams, currently comprising of Programme Director, Finance Director, Operations Director, Senior Humanitarian Accompanier, HR Manager, Security Manager, and Lawyer.
• Commits to work in accordance with Vincentian values and Depaul Ukraine’s Code of Conduct.

Person Specification

1. Educated to higher level.
2. 5+ years working at a senior level within a charity.
3. Proven experience of leading a team in the development, implementation and successful delivery of strategic objectives and significant budget (over $1 million USD).
4. Experience in financial planning and delivering successful performance through robust financial management.
5. An understanding of fundraising and stakeholder management in order to support the ongoing development and execution for the organisation outside of institutional, public and governmental funding.
6. Knowledge and understanding of Ukrainian company and charity law and the requirements of Trustees, senior management, and other employees of the company.
7. A visible leader with first class organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire and motivate staff, volunteers, and supporters.
8. Knowledge of modern means of communication and modern management techniques.
9. Fluency in the Ukrainian language.
10. Minimum upper-intermediate level of English language.
11. Willing to work full-time