ZOA, as an international NGO, supports people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster. Together, we can come to their aid in emergencies and remain faithful to communities as they recover – providing new opportunities for them to help themselves again.
In April 2022 ZOA started in Ukraine with relief activities for IDPs in Uzhgorod and Zakarpattia region. Today our teams work in Chernihiv, Kryvij Rih, Mykolaiv and Kyiv. The focus is on the most vulnerable people in rural areas with large scale cash for shelter and livelihood programmes. We invite you to join our team of committed colleagues.
ZOA is looking for a
Manager of Operations (Kyiv, Ukraine)
Your challenge
We are looking for a Manager of Operations who will lead and strengthen the operational backbone of our Ukraine programme. This is a key leadership role within the country team, ensuring that systems, processes, and teams enable effective and accountable operational delivery in a complex environment.
How you will make a difference
You lead and strengthen the operational foundation of ZOA’s Ukraine programme, ensuring that systems, processes, and teams enable effective, accountable, and high-quality programme delivery in a complex environment. As a key member of the Country Management Team, you work closely with programme leadership and contribute to strategic direction and decision making.
In this role, you are responsible for the effective and efficient management of all operational processes within the country organisation. You oversee finance, human resources, IT, and logistics, ensuring strong internal control, compliance, and risk management. By doing so, you make sure that operational systems fully support programme delivery and meet organisational, donor, and legal requirements.
Your main tasks and responsibilities
In this role, you lead and strengthen the operational teams across finance, human resources, IT, logistics, and administration, creating a strong and supportive environment where people can perform and grow. You guide, coach, and manage team members, ensuring clear expectations, regular feedback, and opportunities for development. As part of the Country Management Team, you contribute actively to strategic direction and decision making, always balancing operational priorities with the broader needs of the country programme.
You ensure that administrative systems and processes are effective, compliant, and aligned with organisational standards. This means you oversee the development and use of policies and procedures, make sure internal controls are in place, and continuously improve systems where needed. You help create a culture of accountability, where colleagues understand and follow donor, legal, and organisational requirements.
Within human resources, you ensure that global policies are translated into the local context and applied in a fair and consistent way. You oversee recruitment, performance management, and staff conditions, making sure these meet both organisational standards and local legal requirements. You also support programme teams in developing strong HR components for proposals and promote inclusive and gender sensitive practices across the organisation.
In finance, you lead the overall financial management of the country programme. You contribute to the country strategy and planning processes, oversee budgeting and forecasting, and ensure timely and accurate financial reporting. You make sure donor requirements are met, audits are well managed, and recommendations are followed up. At the same time, you support programme teams to develop realistic and compliant budgets for new funding opportunities.
You are responsible for ensuring that IT systems and infrastructure support the organisation effectively. This includes the implementation and use of systems such as the ERP, maintaining secure and reliable IT services, and supporting the adoption of new tools and processes.
In logistics and procurement, you ensure that systems and procedures are in place and function well, in line with organisational standards. You monitor performance, strengthen compliance, and ensure that teams have the resources they need to operate safely and efficiently.
Finally, you contribute to strengthening the capacity of partner organisations in areas such as finance, HR, IT, and logistics, helping to build sustainable and accountable systems beyond ZOA itself.
What we offer
What you bring
You bring solid experience in operational leadership within an international setting, with strong knowledge of finance, HR, and compliance. You have a relevant academic background and hands-on experience with budgeting, reporting, and internal controls. You work in a structured and analytical way, while keeping the bigger picture in mind. You communicate clearly in English, build strong relationships across cultures, and adapt easily to different contexts. You take initiative, improve processes, and stay calm and focused on a dynamic environment. You act with integrity and are motivated by contributing to a mission driven organisation.
You also bring:
Leadership profile:
Special conditions
We offer
ZOA offers you a challenging job, and a motivated team in Kyiv, and good benefits and remuneration which suit the NGO sector (including but not limited to medical and other insurances, (contribution to) housing costs, training options and 29 leave days).
Do you need more information?
For more information about ZOA, please visit our website: www.zoa-international.com.
If you have questions about this vacancy, you can contact Sandra Vogd, HR Business Partner, email zoa.vacancies@zoa.ngo
Interested and do you want to apply?
ZOA operates with an equal opportunities policy and is committed to diversity in the workplace. Qualified women and men, people of all nationalities, and cultural backgrounds, and candidates with disabilities are welcome to apply.
If you are interested in this position, please apply via the "apply now" button below, at the latest by 25 August 2026.
CV’s of no more than 5 pages in length are appreciated. Candidates will be selected on a rolling basis.
Only selected candidates will be contacted and invited to participate in the process of recruitment. An assessment may be part of the recruitment procedure. Documents that do not match the profile above will not be considered. Internal candidates will have priority, in case of similar results.
Please note that ZOA carries out background and reference checks (including COTER: check your name on counter-terrorism lists) for all candidates as part of the recruitment process. As ZOA participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a written questionnaire: the “Statement of Conduct”, which will be sent to past employers regarding Misconduct (such as sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment).