Founded in 2007 by the French historian Patrick Weil, Bibliothèques Sans Frontières (Libraries Without Borders) is an NGO that empowers vulnerable populations by sharing culture, education and information. It implements inclusive and innovative projects in 30+ countries, enabling people affected by crises and precarity to educate themselves, dream and (re)build their lives. Thanks to its innovative tools, library of contents and expertise in mediation, BSF and its partners tackle the major challenges of the 21st century such as education, culture, citizenship, community building, health, employment or entrepreneurship.
At BSF, decisions are only based on the applicant’s skills and qualities regarding its needs of recruitment within a respectful and inclusive process. BSF hires and employs individuals regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, cultural or ethnic background, or disability.


UKRAINE RESPONSE PROGRAM
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in March 2022 led to massive population displacements within the country and in neighboring countries. Needs related to protection, orientation, information and psychosocial support for displaced populations - mainly women and children - are a priority alongside primary needs.


Since the first semester of 2022, throughout Ukraine BSF has created several Ideas Box Hubs for emergency information, protection and psychosocial support in partnership with local, international and public organizations. The Ideas Box allowed to quickly deploy safe spaces for children that include psychosocial, educational, cultural and recreational activities. In each Ideas Box, books in Ukrainian, games and applications were selected, as well as digital resources (educational, information, cultural, entertainment videos, websites, applications, etc.) via the offline server.


BSF also implemented digital learning centers to support displaced children in pursuing their education as well as adults in their access to learning and information. It also facilitated access to mental health and psychological support via provision of contents to partners. Moreover, in December 2024 BSF will finalize a project addressing needs in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), developed in partnership with the UN office of the Special Representative of Secretary-General on CRSV.


Now that BSF is identified as a relevant humanitarian actor in Ukraine, it is about to transfer its office and team from Lviv to Kiyv. Besides, in August 2024, among other projects it has concluded an 18-month long partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) to address, within the highly exposed Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts, the population’s needs in formal and non-formal education as well as in catch-up learning.


In this context, BSF is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Program Coordinator who will play an essential role within our team to support the management and development of BSF operations in Ukraine and ensure a high-quality program implementation.



POSITION WITHIN THE ORGANISATION
The Program Coordinator reports to the Country Representative based in Kiev. He/she manages a technical manager (in charge of content, mediation and training) and a partnerships officer.



KEY RESPONSABILITIES
The Program Coordinator is responsible for the development and implementation of BSF’s programs in Ukraine in collaboration with our partners in country. The Program Coordinator drives all stages of the program’s implementation and ensures expected outcomes, in line with BSF’s strategy and procedures.


More specifically, the Program Coordinator is responsible for the following key areas:


1. Program implementation:

• Ensure timely and proper implementation of the Ukraine response program, meeting quality and accountability standards, and in line with the project documents & donor contracts.
• Manage the partnerships at country-level, including by supporting the partners in their management and use of BSF innovative tools.
• With HQ support, develop and oversee a monitoring and evaluation framework for the program.
• Manage the elaboration of narrative reports.
• Contribute to the budget monitoring of projects and the validation of financial reports in collaboration with Europe manager and Finance department at HQ level.

2. Strategy & Development:

• Contribute actively to design the program strategy, to suggest new areas of intervention or partnerships.
• Prepare evolving operational plans and strategies to adjust the BSF intervention to the evolving context in Ukraine, in collaboration with HQ Desk International
• Participate and contribute to relevant sector working groups and coordination meetings (Education, Protection...).
• Contribute to project design and writing of funding requests (concept notes, proposals, budgets, etc.) for new partnerships.

3. Grow and manage the BSF Ukraine Program Team:

• In coordination with the Country Representative, plan the resources required for implementation and recruit the program team when necessary
• Manage the BSF program team in Ukraine, and in particular their evolving locations, roles and tasks (depending on projects, partners and needs).
• Liaise with HQ relevant departments to ensure the proper support and training of BSF teams in the field.

QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Program Management, International Relations, Social Work, Education, Social Sciences, or related disciplines.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience in program management, preferably in the fields of education, culture, international development, and humanitarian aid.
• A previous significant and successful experience in a similar coordination position within an International NGO.
• Excellent management of project cycle and finance reporting.
• Demonstrated capability in financial and budget management, including familiarity with donor reporting and compliance requirements.
• Experience managing organizational partnerships.
• Prior experience in working with NGOs and an understanding of humanitarian contexts.

Skills and qualities:

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking capabilities.
• Capable of working autonomously and making decisions with minimal supervision.
• High level of adaptability, capable of adjusting to a rapidly changing environment, good management of stress.
• Mobility in the field is essential
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work well with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in English is a must; fluency in Ukrainian is an asset.
• A strong commitment to the values and goals of BSF, including the promotion of education, cultural exchange, and community development.

RECRUITMENT CONDITIONS: Position open to expatriates and national contracts
Duration of the contract: 12 months
Starting date : 10.12.24
Workplace: Kiyv with frequent travel within Ukraine. Depending on the security situation, this position will require traveling to sites around Ukraine to visit partners, asses their programs, and conduct trainings and capitalization and learning events.


If expatriate contract:

• Type of contract: Fixed-term contract under French law (expatriate) - CDD d’usage
• Remuneration: From 2600 to 3083€ gross/month depending on experience and salary grid of BSF
• Benefits:
  • Monthly allowance for living expenses: 600€/month
  • Accommodation: covered by BSF
  • Social protection system adapted to expatriation (CFE, complementary health, providence, repatriation assistance and civil liability)
  • Break every 2 months, for a duration of 3 working days + 1 weekend, BSF will cover expenses up to 500 € (transport, accommodation, living expenses)
  • 2,5 days off/month and 1,17 additional days of rest/month (RTT)
  • A return flight ticket for leave, once a year, after 6 months of contract
• Other informations: This is an unaccompanied position.

If national contract:

• Type of contract: Fix-term employment contract, under Ukrainian law
• Remuneration: depending on experience and salary grid of BSF

TO APPLY
Please fill out the following form (including the sending of CV and cover letter in English) by the 3rd of November, 2024 at the latest : https://www.bibliosansfrontieres.org/agir/travailler-chez-bsf/