Head of Operations

IsraAID is a non-governmental organization headquartered in Israel, founded in 2001. Since its inception, it has been responding to emergencies and supporting long-term development in more than 54 countries worldwide.

IsraAID’s mission is to assist people affected by humanitarian crises by partnering with local communities around the world to provide emergency relief, support recovery, and reduce future disaster risks.

IsraAID has been operating in Ukraine since early 2022, when the organization responded to urgent humanitarian needs arising from the war. Since then, we have shifted our focus toward implementing a long-term program strategy, including health programs, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) initiatives, as well as mental health and psychosocial support programs.

IsraAID’s work in Ukraine promotes sustainable and inclusive solutions, with a strong emphasis on building community resilience to future challenges and fostering close collaboration with community, regional, and national leaders.

We are looking for a professional, talented and passionate Head of Operations, to lead the mission's teams, vision, work plan, and partnerships. 

This position is an exciting opportunity to hold a leading position, working with a professional humanitarian aid organization with 20 years of experience in emergency and trauma. The Head of Operations will provide overall support and leadership on admin, finance, comms, HR, partner management to IsraAID activities in Ukraine.

RESPONSIBILITIES

General: 

• Lead and oversee operational team (Finance, HR, Communication, Admin) 
• Provide required support to the humanitarian response operations at field level and overall coordination of humanitarian response projects by the country office.
• Work closely with the team, Country Director and Head of Programs to coordinate the development of new funding opportunities.
• Coordinate on planning and implementation of new IsraAID humanitarian responses and delegated program budgets, HR and technical coordination in the country office.
• Provide administrative oversight of relevant operational and technical teams and hold accountability for effective, timely and high-quality implementation of activities.
• Provide operational backstopping and technical support to field based IsraAID staff and partners during project implementation.
• Contribute and support the recruitment of key emergency response positions.
• Contribute in preparation of periodic reports on the implementation of humanitarian project activities as per the requirements of IsraAID and individual donors to a high standard.
• Stay up to date on socio-economic and political changes in Ukraine, related to IsraAID’s mandate, undertake a timely strategic review of IsraAID’s program strategy to respond to a rapidly changing environment.
  
  

Human Resource Management and Staff Development:

• Provide support to IsraAID staff and promote best practices in human resources management in all aspects of operations.
• Maintain effective and appropriate staff recruitment, orientation, appraisal, remuneration, and development practice at all levels to ensure the optimization and development of IsraAID’s human resources.
• Provide coaching and mentoring advice to staff when necessary, and lead initiatives to develop staff capacity. 

Funding and Grants Management: 

• Contribute in the production of quality proposals and respond to calls for proposals.
• Facilitate and coordinate donor visits, donor meetings, discussions, and evaluations as necessary.
  

Financial and Administrative Management: 

• Prepare, coordinate, and implement annual budget for IsraAID”s operations inUkraine as a part of a country mission.
• Provide progress and financial reports as required by the cooperating government agencies and IsraAID HQ, as well as necessary accountability procedures.
• Check and verify assets and inventories and promote efficient and effective management of organizational assets. 

Government relations & Representation: 

• Perform as the one of the mission’s focal points with the government and other authorities, to promote the programs, monitor trends and new initiatives, and adhere to required changes and needs.
• Represents the organization with various stakeholders in Ukraine in line with organizational vision and with full guidance by the Country Director. 

Security and Risk Management: 

• Oversee at the country level for risk management, keep abreast of all relevant developments in the country.
• Oversee the development and maintain appropriate contingency plans for possible risks. 

Corporate leadership: 

• Ensure staff are continuously engaged and aligned with IsraAID’s global vision, mission, values, strategic directions, and business plan
• Actively contribute to IsraAID’s reputation and role as a national, international, and regional organization.
• Maintain regular communication with the Country Director, and IsraAID-Israel HQ, and other IsraAID branches, as appropriate.
• Promote IsraAID’s organizational identity, culture, and capacity to all stakeholders and partners and ensure IsraAID remains relevant to the changing humanitarian and development needs in the country.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND COMPETENCIES 

• 5 years experience of working in humanitarian or development settings, or in non-profit sector
• Education: BA in finance, international development, business administration, public administration or other relevant fields
  
• Knowledge and experience of emergency context
• Context analysis and risk assessment for humanitarian operations
• Substantial experience in the financial management of significant budgets
• Budget planning and donor financial and policy compliance (USAID, ECHO, UN agencies)
• Financial reporting and auditing for humanitarian programs
• Fraud prevention and risk management in grant implementation
• Security risk management in fragile contexts (e.g., adherence to INSO guidelines)
• Contract and partnership management with local NGOs and vendors
• Anti-corruption and safeguarding policies in humanitarian programming
• An excellent understanding of and practical experience with program design, program management cycle, M&E, and Ethics in Programming
• National staff management (recruitment, contracts, policies)
• Remote team coordination across multiple country offices
• Staff well-being, duty of care, and psychosocial support strategies
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365
• Fluent in English and Ukrainian - A MUST
• Responsibility and result-oriented approach
• Decision-making skills
• Initiative
• Teamwork skills
• Cognitive flexibility

CONDITIONS 

• Meaningful, impactful work in the field of humanitarian aid
• Opportunities to influence the strategic decisions
• Professional development and learning opportunities
• Supportive organizational culture
• Transparent cooperation conditions (full-time position on a one-year local contract)
• Health and life insurance
• Team well-being support program
• Hybrid work format
• Office in the city center

ETHICAL STANDARDS

IsraAID has zero tolerance towards any acts of misconduct and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The recruitment process will include all candidates’ declarations and reference checks focused on misconduct and SEA.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

IsraAID is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability status.

CVs are accepted in English only