Become a Country Director for IREX in Kyiv Ukraine 2026 – Senior Leadership Role

Lead Education, Workforce and Recovery Programs in Ukraine

The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) is recruiting a Country Director to lead its Ukraine portfolio from Kyiv oblast. This full-time, on-site leadership role offers a unique opportunity to guide strategic programming that supports Ukraine’s resilience, recovery, and reconstruction.

Applications require a resume and a cover letter outlining qualifications for this senior position.

About IREX

For more than 50 years, IREX has operated in complex and challenging environments worldwide. The organization focuses on:

• Empowering youth to strengthen economies
• Supporting educators to improve learning outcomes
• Advancing critical thinking and informed decision-making
• Promoting leadership across divided societies

IREX structures its work around three long-term goals:

• Leaders bridge divides
• Learners succeed in the world of work
• People thrive in a technology-, AI-, and data-driven world

In Ukraine, IREX has worked for over three decades to invest in human capital, strengthen communities, and catalyze innovation.

IREX Ukraine: Supporting Resilience and Recovery

IREX programming in Ukraine focuses on:

• Education system recovery
• Workforce development
• Local partner strengthening
• Community resilience
• Internally displaced persons (IDP) integration
• Veterans’ rehabilitation and reintegration

Through long-standing local partnerships, IREX supports systems that enable Ukrainians to rebuild and thrive during and after the war.

Position Overview: Country Director

The Country Director (CD) serves as IREX’s senior representative in Ukraine and reports directly to the Chief Impact Officer. The role combines strategic leadership, donor engagement, operational oversight, and high-level representation.

The CD is responsible for stewarding:

• Organizational strategy
• External engagement and donor diversification
• Program quality and compliance
• Financial and operational excellence
• Staff leadership and partner support

Core Leadership Competencies

The ideal candidate demonstrates:

Collaborative Problem-Solving

Ability to unite diverse stakeholders in nonpartisan ways to develop practical solutions in complex environments.

Results-Driven Action

Strong execution focus with measurable, high-impact outcomes and the agility to pivot when needed.

Intellectual Curiosity

Commitment to continuous learning and application of emerging evidence and trends.

Embracing Change

Comfort operating in ambiguous, rapidly evolving contexts.

External Engagement

Ability to represent IREX authentically and articulate its value proposition across sectors.

Market Responsiveness

Capacity to design solutions aligned with partner needs and Ukraine’s recovery priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management and Oversight

• Ensure all Ukraine programs are strategically aligned and high-performing
• Maintain compliance with donor and regulatory requirements
• Lead coordinated planning and implementation
• Address operational risks with a solution-oriented approach

Strategy, Donor Engagement and Business Growth

• Monitor national and regional developments to inform strategy
• Lead diversified donor engagement efforts
• Cultivate partnerships with bilateral and multilateral donors
• Guide proposal development and consortium strategies
• Identify funding opportunities aligned with Ukraine’s recovery needs

The role requires strong experience engaging with U.S. Government agencies, European Union institutions, bilateral donors, philanthropic foundations, and private-sector actors.

Representation and External Relations

• Serve as IREX’s senior representative in Ukraine
• Strengthen cross-sector partnerships
• Elevate IREX’s public profile through strategic communications
• Advocate across key thematic areas including education, workforce development, civic engagement, livelihoods, IDP integration, and veterans’ reintegration

Finance and Operational Oversight

Working closely with the Deputy Country Director, the CD will:

• Ensure compliance with Ukrainian law and IREX policies
• Oversee financial stewardship and cost-effective resource use
• Approve contracts and official documents
• Maintain authorized signatory responsibilities
• Ensure sound security protocols and duty-of-care measures
• Maintain legal authority for required Government of Ukraine transactions

Required Qualifications and Experience

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum 10 years of demonstrated leadership experience
• Extensive professional experience in Ukraine
• Proven ability to operate in complex political and security environments
• Strong track record managing multi-sector programs
• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated success in pipeline development and major proposal leadership
• Strong budgeting, financial oversight, and strategic planning skills
• Deep understanding of the Ukrainian context
• Fluency in English required; Ukrainian language skills highly preferred

Employment Details

• Job Category: Global Impact
• Location: Kyiv oblast, Ukraine
• Employment Type: Full-time, on-site
• Posted: February 27, 2026
• Requisition Number: COUNT003268

Background and reference checks will be conducted for successful candidates.

Equal Opportunity Statement

IREX is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, merit-based recruitment, and compliance with applicable employment laws. The organization promotes inclusive hiring practices and welcomes qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds.

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Why Apply for the IREX Country Director Role in Ukraine?

This senior leadership position offers the opportunity to:

• Shape large-scale recovery programming in Ukraine
• Lead education and workforce transformation initiatives
• Build strategic partnerships across sectors
• Guide donor engagement and business growth
• Contribute directly to Ukraine’s long-term resilience

For experienced leaders with deep expertise in Ukraine and international development, this Country Director role represents a high-impact opportunity at the intersection of strategy, recovery, and systems change.

APPLY NOW

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is hiring for this role. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.