Deputy Program Manager Ukraine International Position Long-term contract Senior level

APOPO is seeking a strong and experienced Deputy Program Manager (DPM) to support and strengthen its Mine Action program in Ukraine. This is a senior, hands-on program management role for someone who thrives in complex, high-pressure environments and brings structure, continuity, and clarity to multi-donor humanitarian programs.

APOPO is an innovative, international non-profit organization that uses the exceptional sense of smell of animals to detect landmines, tuberculosis, and other hazards. For more than 27 years, APOPO has helped save lives and create sustainable change in post-conflict and high-risk contexts worldwide.

Learn more at www.apopo.org.

About the position

As Deputy Program Manager – Ukraine, you play a critical leadership role in ensuring continuity, quality, and momentum of APOPO’s Mine Action program.

This role exists to translate strategy into execution. You will take the lead on reporting, grant management, planning, and day-to-day program oversight, and act as a trusted counterpart to the Program Manager. During periods when the Program Manager is on leave or outside the country, you ensure the program continues to run smoothly and donor, operational, and internal requirements are consistently met.

The role requires maintaining a strong understanding of operational activities in order to ensure accurate reporting, effective planning, and clear communication with donors and partners.

About the team

You will work within APOPO’s Mine Action program in Ukraine, alongside international and national staff operating in a dynamic and evolving context. You report directly to the Program Manager – Ukraine.

The team is multidisciplinary and multicultural, combining technical, operational, programmatic, and support functions. APOPO values professionalism, accountability, collaboration, and care for people and animals alike.

Key responsibilities

Program management & continuity

• Support overall program management and act as day-to-day program lead in the absence of the Program Manager.
• Ensure continuity of coordination, decision-making, and follow-up across the program.
• Communicate and coordinate efforts with APOPO’s Headquarters, Mine Action Dept and Dogs Program Personnel.
• Proactively identify risks, bottlenecks, or gaps and support timely solutions.
• Take decisions within delegated authority to ensure continuity and timely implementation.

Reporting, grant management & compliance

• Lead coordination and drafting of donor reports (narrative and supporting inputs).
• Maintain oversight of reporting schedules, deliverables, and compliance requirements.
• Work closely with finance, operations, and technical teams to ensure coherence between activities, budgets, and reporting.
• Flag delays or risks early and support corrective actions.

Planning, monitoring & coordination

• Coordinate annual, quarterly, and monthly work planning processes.
• Monitor progress against plans, outputs, and indicators.
• Support consolidation of program data, statistics, and documentation.

Operational understanding & donor communication

• Maintain a strong understanding of field operations to accurately reflect progress, challenges, and results in reports and donor communication.
• Support preparation of completion reports and documentation required by donors and national authorities.
• Participate in field visits as required.

External engagement & business development

• Support engagement with donors, partners, and coordination platforms, as delegated.
• Contribute to proposal development, concept notes, and technical inputs for new funding opportunities.

Team support & capacity strengthening

• Provide functional guidance and mentoring to program support staff.
• Contribute to strengthening program management, reporting, and coordination capacity within the team.
• Promote a collaborative, structured, and accountable working culture.

Your profile

Essential

• Significant experience (typically 7+ years) of working in Mine Action Programs in conflict-affected country/settings.
• Proven experience in program management, donor reporting, and grant compliance.
• Strong IT, analytical and writing skills, with the ability to manage deadlines and complex information flows.
• Experience working in volatile or high-pressure environments with multiple stakeholders.
• Confidence to act independently and take decisions within delegated authority.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable

• Previous experience in Ukraine or comparable conflict-affected contexts.
• Experience working with institutional donors (e.g. UN, EU, bilateral donors).
• Familiarity with Mine Action standards, coordination mechanisms, or operational reporting.
• Working knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian.

Personal attributes

• Structured, reliable, and solution-oriented
• Comfortable stepping into leadership when needed
• Clear communicator who can bridge operations and donors
• Strong alignment with APOPO’s humanitarian mission and values
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical leadership, safeguarding, and fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment.

Location and contract

The duty station for this role is Ukraine, based primarily at the main program office, with regular travel to field locations as required. This is an international position, with compensation that is competitive, commensurate with experience and seniority, and inclusive of a hardship allowance. The expected start date is as soon as possible.

APOPO’s commitment

APOPO is committed to safeguarding people, animals, and communities. All staff are expected to uphold APOPO’s safeguarding policies and ethical standards. Background checks form part of the recruitment process.

APOPO is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or disability.

Please submit:

• Your CV
• A motivation letter (maximum 1 page)
• Copies of relevant diplomas and certificates
• Contact details of at least two professional referees

Reference checks are part of our standard recruitment process. Referees will only be contacted with your prior consent.

We review applications on a rolling basis as they are received, so early applications are encouraged. There is no fixed application deadline. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview.

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