Human Resources and Administration Director

Save the Children International  

Save the Children International is a leading global humanitarian organization that has been protecting children's rights worldwide for over 100 years. We operate in more than 100 countries, responding to emergencies, implementing innovative development programs, and advocating for children's rights on a global scale. 

Our work in Ukraine began in 2014. Since then, we have significantly expanded our presence, providing support to children and families affected by war. Our key areas of focus include education, child protection, food security, social support, and advocacy to drive lasting change in children's lives. 

ROLE PURPOSE: 

As a member of the Ukraine Country Office Senior Management Team (SMT), the role holder shares overall responsibility for the direction and coordination of the office. The position provides strategic leadership and oversight of both Human Resources and Administration functions, ensuring that people, facilities, assets, travel, office services and administrative systems enable safe, compliant and efficient programme delivery.

The post holder is accountable for effective HR services in emergency and development programming contexts. The post holder is also accountable for effective administrative services across the Country Office. The role ensures compliance with SCI global standards, policies and practices, Ukrainian legislation and internal controls, and supports programme implementation in line with strategic plans.

SCOPE OF ROLE:

• Reports to: Country Director
• Staff reporting to this post: 3
• Budget Responsibilities: Supports the successful management of the Ukraine Country Office programme portfolio

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: 

As a member of the Senior Management Team, contribute to:

• Leadership of the Ukraine Country Office.
• Development of an organisational culture that promotes accountability, high performance, learning, creativity and innovation.
• Design and implementation of an organisational structure appropriate to programme needs and consistent with agency practices.
• Compliance with Save the Children policies, procedures and the Quality Framework.
• Prompt and scalable support during emergencies, in coordination with the Regional Office.
• Country Office growth and strategic planning, including safeguarding, Human Resources and Administration.

Human Resources

• Lead the Human Resources function and ensure managers and staff receive effective advice on policies, procedures and employment matters.
• Supervise implementation of dual-mandate HR practices aligned with organisational strategy and the Quality Framework.
• Ensure appropriate recruitment, retention and succession planning, compensation, performance management and staff career development.
• Ensure adequate emergency HR procedures are included in the Emergency Preparedness Plan to enable rapid scale-up and staff deployment.
• Monitor and advise on disciplinary matters in accordance with policies, procedures and applicable labour law.
• Ensure conflicts, grievances and harassment cases are effectively managed and mediated.
• Ensure staff and partners understand and adhere to Child Safeguarding Policies.
• Monitor staff morale and well-being and ensure appropriate support mechanisms are in place.

People Management and Talent Development

• Provide strategic leadership for people management across the Country Office, ensuring managers apply consistent, fair and inclusive management practices throughout the employee lifecycle.
• Develop and implement a country-level talent management and development strategy aligned with organisational priorities, workforce plans and future capability needs.
• Strengthen leadership and management capability through structured learning pathways, coaching, mentoring, peer learning and targeted development interventions.
• Establish robust succession planning and talent review processes for critical roles, identifying high-potential staff and creating practical development and readiness plans.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning, regular feedback, internal mobility and career development, with equitable access to development opportunities across offices and staff groups.
• Use performance, engagement, retention and learning data to identify people risks and capability gaps, evaluate the impact of talent initiatives and recommend evidence-based actions.
• Ensure managers are accountable for team wellbeing, inclusion, performance and development, and are equipped to address underperformance constructively and promptly.

Administration

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of the Country Office Administration function, ensuring efficient, consistent and client-focused services across the main office and field locations.
• Develop, implement and monitor administrative policies, standard operating procedures, service standards and internal controls in line with SCI requirements and Ukrainian legislation.
• Oversee office management, premises, leases, utilities, maintenance, fit-out, workplace services and business continuity arrangements, coordinating closely with Safety and Security, Supply Chain, Finance and IT.
• Ensure effective management of administrative assets, equipment, inventories and records, including clear accountability, appropriate insurance, maintenance, transfer and disposal processes.
• Oversee travel administration, accommodation, visas, permits, protocol support and related duty-of-care arrangements for staff, visitors and consultants.
• Ensure appropriate document management, archiving, correspondence, reception, translation and other office support services, with due regard to confidentiality and data protection.
• Lead administrative budgeting, forecasting and expenditure monitoring; identify efficiency opportunities and ensure value for money without compromising safety or service quality.
• Ensure administrative preparedness for emergencies, including scalable office, accommodation, transport and staff-support arrangements for response.
• Monitor administrative service performance, risks and compliance; provide regular management information and ensure timely corrective action.

Staff Management, Mentorship and Development - Human Resources and Administration

• Ensure appropriate staffing within the HR function, coordinate recruitment, training and promotion, and provide professional development opportunities.
• Ensure appropriate staffing within the Administration function and maintain clear role allocation, succession arrangements and surge capacity.
• Ensure HR and Administration staff understand and can perform their roles in an emergency.
• Lead the HR and Administration teams, define expectations, provide technical support, and evaluate direct reports regularly.
• Incorporate staff development strategies and the Performance Management System into team-building processes.
• Manage performance through measurable objectives, ongoing feedback, periodic reviews, coaching, mentoring, recognition and documented improvement measures where required.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice) 

Accountability:

• Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role
• modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the
• freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve
• performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their
• own personal development and encourages others to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, other members and

external partners and supporters

• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks

Integrity:

• Honest, encourages openness and transparency

Behavioural competencies:

1. Leading and inspiring others: Demonstrates leadership in own work, embodies SCI values, and motivates colleagues and partners to achieve goals for children. Level required: Leading Edge
2. Delivering results: Takes personal responsibility for delivering agreed goals for children, continually improving own performance. Level required: Leading Edge
3. Developing self and others: Invests time and energy in own development and in building the capacity of partners and colleagues. Level required: Leading edge
4. Applying technical and professional expertise: Applies required technical and professional expertise to a high standard, promoting best practice within the team. Level required: Leading Edge
5. Problem solving and decision making: Takes effective, timely decisions by gathering and evaluating relevant information. Level required: Leading Edge
6. Innovating and adapting: Adapts and applies innovative solutions to succeed in changing and uncertain working environments. Level required: Leading Edge
7. Working effectively with others: Works collaboratively to achieve shared goals and thrives on diversity of people and perspectives. Level required: Leading edge
8. Communicating with impact: Communicates clearly and confidently to engage colleagues and stakeholders, ensuring timely and appropriate messages. Level required: Leading Edge
9. Networking: Builds and uses relationships and networks to support the work of Save the Children. Level required: Leading Edge

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: 

• At least ten years of progressively responsible experience managing Human Resources and other teams, including oversight of Administration functions.
• Demonstrated experience leading office administration, facilities, premises, travel, asset management, business continuity and administrative budgeting.
• Experience reviewing and drafting HR and administrative policies, procedures, guidelines and systems.
• Experience managing HR and cross-functional operational projects.
• Knowledge of good HR and administrative practice in relation to safeguarding, duty of care, confidentiality and data protection.
• Postgraduate degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, Social Development or a related field is preferred.
• Understanding of the NGO sector, including development and humanitarian operations.
• Strong analytical, negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to work across departments and sectors.
• Ability to plan and organise a substantial workload comprising complex and diverse HR and Administration responsibilities in development and emergency contexts.
• Strong resource management, budgeting, capacity-building, coaching and mentoring skills.
• Ability and willingness to adapt work practices and hours and to work with incoming teams during emergencies.
• Commitment to Save the Children aims, values and rights-based approaches.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; Ukrainian language capability is required for effective local administration and regulatory engagement.