SIPPO COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE (F/M)
Swisscontact Ukraine:

Swisscontact is represented in 40 countries with over 1000 employees. The foundation is headquartered in
Zurich, Switzerland. In Ukraine, Swisscontact is currently active with 3 projects. Ed UP, a public private part-
nership to improve professional education in Ukraine, an Agriculture Entrepreneurship program and SIPPO.
Swiss Import Promotion Programme SIPPO is a well-established mandate of the Swiss State Secretariat for
Economic Affairs (SECO) with the overall objective to integrate developing and transition countries into world
trade. The programme aims to support Business Support Organizations (BSOs) in 12 countries in exploring
and accessing new markets and opportunities for their export-ready companies. Since April 2017, SIPPO is
being implemented under the direction of Swisscontact. SIPPO has started its operations in Ukraine in 2023
and currently operates with a staff of people.
For the implementation of the SIPPO Programme in Ukraine, we are recruiting a:
SIPPO Country Representative Ukraine, 100% (Senior Position)
Place of work: Kyiv, Ukraine
Starting date: 01.10.2024
Contract duration: Programme phase 2, 10/2024 – 12/2025 (15 months,
with option for extension for phase 3, 01/2026 – 12/2029 (4 years)
Role and Responsibilities
The SIPPO Country Representative (CR) takes the overall responsibility for the implementation of the
programme in Ukraine. He/she represents the programme to all involved stakeholders and the local SECO
office and reports to the SIPPO Head of Programme (Ho P) in Berne/Switzerland. For operational and
stakeholder related issues, the CR will coordinate SIPPO activities together with Swisscontact Country
Director, Ukraine. He/she intensively networks with relevant stakeholders of the public sector, trade
organisations and sector associations (Business Support Organizations BSOs). He/she enables the organ-
izational development within BSOs and ensures the transfer of the respective knowledge to improve ex-
port promotion services. For this task, the CR closely collaborates with international and national sector
experts. The CR leads the SIPPO team of Export Promotion Managers and support staff (part-time).
Profile / Experience:
We are a leading organisation for the implementation of international development projects. We promote
inclusive economic, social and ecological development to make an effective contribution towards sustainable
and widespread prosperity in developing and emerging economies.

- Proven track-record in development cooperation including private sector engagement in conflict-
affected contexts;

• Solid knowledge of and proven experience in market systems development and sustainable trade

promotion;

• Experience in initiating and facilitating multi-stakeholder initiatives, driving partnerships and

building networks; - Value-chain knowledge in one or more focus sectors in Ukraine: Processed food, Natural Ingredi-
ents and Technical Wood;
- Broad understanding of the functioning and tasks of business support- and/or trade promotion
organizations, sector associations, public actors and other institutions cooperating within the
trade community;
- Work experience in multi-stakeholder management, especially in trade-related activities, devel-
opment of sustainable sectors;

• Good communication skills and strong negotiation and motivation skills;

• Experience in humanitarian aid and / or conflict-affected contexts and know-how of the relevant

instruments and methodological frameworks (e.g., do-no-harm, enhanced human rights due dil-
igence);

• Familiar and at ease with developing and implementing strategies and concepts;

- Proven track-record in conflict-sensitive programme management, including planning, monitor-
ing, evaluation and reporting;

• Experience in monitoring and results measurement of complex programs (MRM);

• Experience with CRM tools, their management and maintenance;

• The candidate must be a Ukrainian resident.

Qualifications:

• University degree in economics, international commerce, agronomy, political/social sciences, law, or

similar);

• Minimum 10 years of work experience in development cooperation, trade and trade promotion;

• 3-5 years working experience in the private sector, ideally in one of the selected sectors;

• Demonstrated leadership experience;

• Strong communication skills and ability to influence stakeholders on different stakeholder-levels;

• Experience in facilitation of training modules, including online training (e-learning);

• At ease with writing crisp and clear content for reports;

• Proven intercultural skills;

- Excellent language skills - English: C1 / CEFR (written and spoken);

• Proven track record in working across programmes with different teams in complex topics;

• Proactive, solution-oriented and hands-on mentality.

Please note:
Information regarding work experience and roles / functions of the applicant must include:

• Names and addresses of the organisations served;
• Name, email and telephone numbers of the contact person;
• Summary of responsibilities, deliverables and accomplishments of roles;
• Periods of services (start dates, end dates);
• Ready to share your experience and knowledge, while also being open to learn from your peers.

Swisscontact offers attractive working conditions in an international and intercultural context. We see our
work as a joint effort in an agile organizational culture, based on mutual respect, trust and teamwork.
We look forward to receiving your application by email to Poshan Kc (poshan.kc@swisscontact.org) until
September 27th., 2024 with the following documents: letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, diplomas and
references.
For further information on SIPPO, please visit www.sippo.ch.