Emergency Programme Officer - Ukraine

Starting Salary: T13-T17 - £35,668 - £39,005 (or £39,772 - £43,109 with London weighting)

Contract: Fixed term – July 2026 to May 2027

Location: Hybrid - UK

Job Profile 

To contribute to CAFOD’s involvement in the Ukraine crisis in line with the agreed strategy, by taking the lead on the day-to-day management of CAFOD-supported programmes and partnerships.  CAFOD’s programme work is underpinned by an Integral Ecology Programme Model, where Programme Strategies are developed with partners to focus on addressing the causes and symptoms of poverty, inequality and environmental degradation.

This post-holder will manage effective relationships with partners, developing and nurturing partnerships and providing or facilitating capacity strengthening support where appropriate. The scope of the post falls into the following broad functions.  

• Project management and development in line with the direction set by the Ukraine Crisis Humanitarian Programme Strategy
• Building and developing effective relationships with Partners
• Financial management and monitoring of programmes and projects
• Programme Quality and Capacity Strengthening
• Monitoring and communicating the impact of our programmes and projects  

Key Responsibilities

Project management and development in line with the direction set by the Core Programme Strategy

• In co-operation with partners, develop and manage CAFOD-supported programmes, contributing to the development and review of CAFOD’s Ukraine crisis Emergency programme strategy;
• Jointly responsible with partners for the effective implementation, monitoring, evaluation (including facilitating external evaluations) and reporting on programmes, in line with jointly agreed standards (programme cycle management) and donor requirements; 
• In agreement with partners, jointly develop programme and project proposals and assess the existing capacities to manage and implement the work. This includes leading on the preparation of funding applications and reports, in liaison with the Ukraine Emergency Programme Manager, and the development of partner capacity strengthening.
• Promote, capture and disseminate learning from partners and programmes, and ensure that this informs future programme development;
• Realise CAFOD’s principles by acting in line with CAFOD’s partnership standards, and by promoting and supporting partners’ adherence to jointly agreed accountability, gender, safeguarding, inclusion, supply chain management/procurement good practice, and other standards;
• Carry out partner safeguarding assessments and project assessments in accordance with CAFOD’s programme quality framework
• Carry out advocacy work in support of partners (and CAFOD’s) efforts, with relevant stakeholders at local, national and international levels;
• Oversee and support (where appropriate) the work of Programme Accompaniers, Programme Support Officers, and consultants working on CAFOD-supported programmes;

 Building and developing effective relationships with partners

• Develop, nurture and manage relationships with CAFOD’s partner organisations in line with the principles and standards set in our Partnership Policy
• Invest in partners’ capacities by jointly identifying needs, developing plans to strengthen capacities, identifying sources of support, and allocating resources.
• Organise (and, where relevant, accompany) partners’ visits.

Internal and external representation

• In coordination with the Emergency Programme Manager Ukraine Crisis, develop, nurture and sustain relationships and effective communications with relevant stakeholders, including local government, national networks, bi-lateral agencies, and other agencies working in/on the Ukraine crisis. This will include other Caritas agencies.
• Communicate with other teams within CAFOD to ensure that the programme is well understood, and that information is available for fundraising and other communication, including publications, media briefings, education, etc. This may involve participation in sessions/events with Supporters, communities of practice, working groups, etc.

Financial reporting and monitoring of programmes and projects

• In close co-operation with the relevant roles in the finance and funding teams, prepare, manage and monitor budgets relating to both CAFOD and partner-led expenditure, as agreed with the Emergency Programme Manager – Ukraine
• Develop relevant risk registers and monitor them in conjunction with the Emergency Programme Manager – Ukraine
• Where appropriate, commission and manage (with partners) audits and programmatic evaluations for programmes and projects;
• Carry out partner financial assessments, reports and reviews, in co-operation with the finance team.

 Programme Quality, Systems and Standards

• Effectively use CAFOD’s programme management information systems to ensure programme and project information is up-to-date.
• Ensure compliance with agreements, regulations and requirements attached to our work.

Person Specification

Understanding our context

Understanding Catholic identity; Recognising the intrinsic dignity of every person 

Understanding CAFOD; Understanding, demonstrating and actively supporting CAFOD’s vision, mission and values

Understanding humanitarian aid: Understanding and experience of humanitarian aid programme management and quality standards within this context

Working together 

E Working with others; Attentive to the challenges of working with partners in a conflict zone

F Communicating; Able to communicate with colleagues and partners at a distance, taking into account cultural differences and sensitivities

G Looking outwards; Understanding of effective and values-based partnership work between northern and southern organisations and communities.

Making change happen

H Managing resources; Computer literacy i.e.  familiar with Microsoft word, excel and knowledge of information and database management; Budget monitoring skills

I Achieving results; Able to manage competing work demands

J Managing our performance; Proactive in providing and seeking constructive feedback on performance

K Taking the lead; Proactive in identifying and implementing solutions    

Job-specific competencies

I.       Understanding and experience of international aid work/projects, priorities, trends and donor conditions;

II.      Experience using programme cycle management tools effectively to deliver work within an agreed programme framework

III.    Knowledge of IT systems, including Microsoft Office and Sharepoint Online

IV.    Able and committed to working with and developing the capacity of local partners organisations / National NGOs;

V.     Financial management understanding and experience

VI.    Ability and willingness to travel (approximately 12 weeks per year), sometimes at short notice and to areas of risk

VII.  Experience in monitoring programme activities or outcomes.

Desirable Criteria

• First-hand experience with a values-based partnership approach (between national and international organisations and communities)
• Languages; Ukrainian, Polish or Romanian
• Previous work experience in Ukraine / the region
• Previous work experience in conflict or refugee situations 

CAFOD is a welcoming, supportive workplace committed to a safe, inclusive culture where everyone is respected. CAFOD will make reasonable adjustments at every stage of the recruitment process to ensure candidates with disabilities or individual needs are fully supported. 

Safeguarding for Children and Vulnerable Adults

CAFOD recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults, towards whom it has a special responsibility and a duty of care and respect.  CAFOD, and all its staff and volunteers, undertake to do all in our power to create a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults and to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse.  CAFOD is committed to acting at all times in the best interests of children and vulnerable adults, seeing these interests as paramount.  Any candidate offered a job with CAFOD will be expected to adhere to CAFOD’s Safeguarding policy and sign CAFOD’s Code of Behaviour as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents. This post involves contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults, or has responsibility for people who will do, and applicants will be subject to specific checks related to safeguarding issues.  If based in the UK the post holder is required to present or obtain a Disclosure from the DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service).  If the post is based outside the UK the post holder will be subject to a different checking process.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references, and appropriate screening checks can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. CAFOD also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of, and consent to, these recruitment procedures.