Country Head of HR

Nova Ukraine is an international nonprofit delivering strategic humanitarian initiatives in partnership with trusted teams across Ukraine. Since 2014, we’ve directed over $120 million toward aid for war-affected communities, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and civil society development. At Nova Ukraine, we turn aid into impact. We strengthen civil society and support high-impact initiatives that change lives — and we’re looking for people ready to make a meaningful impact alongside us.

The Country Head of HR (Senior) is a hands-on operational leader responsible for building, maintaining, and scaling Nova Ukraine’s human resources infrastructure. This role requires a «player-coach» who can both design HR systems and directly execute daily operations—from recruitment and personnel administration to compliance and the implementation of «Duty of Care». By bridging strategic intent with ground-level execution, this leader ensures the human capital engine is robust enough to support the 2026−2030 strategic mission.

What We’re Looking For:

• Degree in Management, Human Resources, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive HR and recruitment experience, with at least 5 years in a senior HR leadership role.
• Proven experience in building, developing, or transforming the HR function, managing HR teams, and supporting organizational changes during growth periods.
• Practical experience in developing and implementing HR processes, including recruitment, onboarding, Performance Management, L&D, leadership development, employee engagement, and wellbeing programs.
• Deep knowledge of Ukrainian labor legislation and HR practices (Organizational Development, Change Management, and Talent Management).
• Ability to combine strategic vision with operational execution, independently implementing changes and building out the HR function.
• Fluent in Ukrainian and English (Advanced/C1 level).

What You’ll Do:

• Architect and directly execute the HR digitalization roadmap, including hands-on HRIS optimization and the creation of standardized, paperless administrative workflows to ensure data-driven decision-making.
• Govern in-country operational standards across all units, ensuring total alignment with the 2026−2030 strategic mission through regular audits of department-level HR compliance.
• Design and manage rigorous performance tracking cycles, ensuring every role has measurable, observable standards (KPIs/OKRs) and documented feedback loops that link individual performance to organizational goals.
• Personally oversee sensitive personnel actions, including executive-level recruitment and the end-to-end execution of compliant, legally sound termination processes that mitigate organizational risk.
• Implement a comprehensive «Duty of Care» framework, incorporating crisis management protocols, real-time personnel tracking for field staff, and proactive mental health support to sustain a resilient workforce in high-risk environments.
• Act as the primary accountable officer for Ukrainian labor law compliance and international audit readiness, ensuring all policies meet both local regulations and donor-specific requirements.
• Lead high-priority recruitment and employer branding initiatives to attract top-tier talent while facilitating wellness, burnout prevention, and team-building programs that reduce turnover.
• Manage HR budgets and training investments (L&D), utilizing HR analytics to drive operational efficiency, track professional growth, and demonstrate measurable ROI on human capital.

Would be a plus:

• Experience in international organizations, charitable foundations, or International NGOs (INGOs).

• Experience integrating EU NGO policies and standards.

We will be happy to receive your CV together with a cover letter and financial expectations and consider your candidacy. Your personal contribution will make a huge difference in achieving our goals and mission. Join us to change the world for the better together.