Position Description:

The Country Assistant - Ukraine will be actively engaged in supporting Sayara International’s project delivery in Ukraine, working in close collaboration and under the supervision of the Country Lead for Ukraine.

Candidates should have at least two years of demonstrable experience in research. Experience in project management would also be beneficial. Ideally, candidates will have some understanding of media, communications, or journalism, as well as the media and political landscape of Eastern Europe. Candidates must have excellent writing skills in English.

The Country Assistant will report to the Country Lead for Ukraine.

The Country Assistant - Ukraine will contribute to the work Sayara does to build positive change in societies that most need it. You will be working as part of a welcoming and diverse international team of experienced professionals.

About Sayara International:

Sayara International is a global development company that specialises in the design and implementation of rigorous research, social and behaviour change communications, approaches to countering disinformation, governance strategies, and innovative programming in fragile, conflict-affected, and transitioning societies. Founded in 2003, Sayara operates in more than 30 countries across Eastern Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Sayara supports the programming of our clients and partners with complex and sustainable research, evaluation, data-driven policy change, socio-political analysis, strategic communication, countering violent extremism, crisis management, and humanitarian response in the most challenging environments, working with and for the most vulnerable communities worldwide. Sayara’s origins in conflict and the company’s evolution across fragile contexts have equipped us with a set of values, core operating principles, systems, and competencies unique in the global development industry.

We provide services to clients around the world, including the United Nations (UNDP, UNOPS, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UN Women), the European Union, governments (U.S., UK, France), universities, international NGOs, and other major donors. We provide services in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL); media monitoring; social and behaviour change communications (SBCC); stabilisation and sub-national governance; gender studies and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG); migration, displacement, and countering people smuggling and trafficking; and youth and education.

Sayara’s Eastern Europe team is comprised of experienced, in-house local experts (country-level leadership and program staff) across the region, plus an array of expert consultants with a variety of skillsets and local knowledge. Sayara’s network in the region extends to think tanks, academia, and other local partners. Our Eastern Europe regional team operates from Ukraine, Poland, Georgia, and the Baltic countries, conducting projects in the Baltics and Eastern Partnership countries.

Find out more about Sayara International:

Website: https://sayarainternational.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SayaraIntl

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sayarainternational

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/9407279/

Responsibilities:

• Support project implementation through its lifecycle to successful delivery.
• Establish and maintain relationships with project stakeholders (suppliers, consultants, etc.).
• Assist Country Lead on a day-to-day basis, mainly on research activities.
• Contribute to media monitoring, produce summaries.
• Conduct internet-based searches, support research (both qualitative and quantitative).
• Update internal database.
• Support financial management of the project (manage invoicing process, track payments, managing timesheets, etc.).
• Organise and facilitate project meetings and events (programme drafting, logistical oversight).
• Prepare contracts, draft ad hoc documents, contribute to Business Development proposals.
• Other ad hoc tasks, as assigned.

Desired Qualifications/ Skills:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree, ideally in business, social science, political science, international affairs, media, communications, or another relevant field.
• 2+ years’ experience in Research / Project Support / Coordination, with a proven track record of supporting successful projects.
• Demonstrated competency in decision-making and problem-solving; resource management; and planning, prioritising, and goal setting.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively – both independently and as part of a team.
• Good IT skills, understanding of how Office 365 environment works.
• Strong English, Ukrainian and Russian; other languages considered a plus.
• Ideally familiar with Eastern European geopolitics.
• Strong commitment to high-quality work and integrity in all interactions.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines. 

Location & Travel:

Remote work possible, ideally based in Eastern Europe. Some travel may be required.

Job Type:

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week), Monday-Friday. Occasionally, working outside these hours may be required.

Duration:

The Country Assistant will be offered a one (1) year employment contract, with a three (3) month probation period and the option for renewal, based on the discretion of, and mutual agreement between Sayara and the Country Assistant.

Application Process

Please submit your detailed CV with up-to-date contact information via email to [email protected]. Please use “Country Assistant (Ukraine)” as the subject line of your email.

The deadline for applications is 20th February 2022. Note that CVs will be screened on a rolling basis and Sayara will offer the position to the candidate who meets the requirements – even if it is before the deadline.