About SoCha  

SoCha is an international monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) firm that delivers evidence-driven insights to help development and humanitarian actors make adaptive, impactful decisions. We bring experience from diverse regional contexts, including fragile and conflict-affected environments, combining technical rigour, trusted local partnerships, and innovative approaches to address complex challenges. Our expertise spans third-party monitoring, mixed-methods and complexity-aware evaluations, systems strengthening, and capacity-building, ensuring that programmes remain responsive to local realities and deliver meaningful results for vulnerable populations. Guided by principles of inclusion, equity, and learning, SoCha partners with donors, UN agencies, and implementing organizations to improve outcomes and maximize impact.

Background  

SoCha is currently bidding to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) to deliver the Verification and Technical Assurance Programme-Ukraine (VERITAS-UKR). This flagship programme will provide demand-led independent third-party monitoring (TPM) and portfolio-level evidence services across FCDO’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) portfolio in Ukraine. The programme will also pilot an innovative Civil Society Organization (CSO)-led monitoring model, designed to strengthen accountability and ensure aid is responsive to the needs of Ukrainians.

As part of our proposed core team, SoCha is recruiting a Security and Government Relations Officer. This role will ensure both operational security and strong liaison with governmental and local authorities to support safe, compliant, and effective delivery of TPM activities across Ukraine. The Officer will develop, maintain, and implement robust security protocols; monitor political, regulatory, and security risks; manage government / authority relations affecting access, permits, permissions; and support the operational planning of field missions. They will be essential in safeguarding staff, partners, and beneficiaries, ensuring that VERITAS-UKR can function in a complex regulatory and security landscape.

This position is contingent on contract award and is expected to commence on or around 30 November 2025.

Responsibilities

1. Develop, maintain, and oversee duty-of-care, security, and access protocols for all staff, subcontractors, and field operations;
2. Monitor the political, regulatory, and security environment across Ukraine; provide regular risk assessments and early warning of changes that could affect operations;
3. Build and maintain relationships with relevant government authorities, local administrations, security services, and regulatory bodies to facilitate access, permits, safe passage, and coordination;
4. Serve as primary point of contact for governmental compliance, including engaging with municipal, oblast, and national levels where TPM or monitoring activities require approvals;
5. Plan and oversee all security arrangements for field missions (including travel permissions, safe routes, accommodation in insecure areas);
6. Train and support field staff and partner CSOs/subcontractors on security procedures, access negotiation, safeguarding / “do no harm” practices, and government relations;
7. Liaise with FCDO security and compliance teams, local law enforcement/security providers, and other relevant institutions to coordinate on security matters;
8. Ensure that all operations comply with FCDO and SoCha security guidance, governmental regulatory requirements, safeguarding standards, and relevant laws.

Qualifications and Experience

1. Advanced degree (or equivalent experience) in Security Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Government Relations, Risk Management, or a closely related field;
2. Substantial experience (5+ years) managing security, access, and government relations in fragile, conflict-affected or high-risk environments — ideally within Ukraine or similar contexts;
3. Demonstrated ability to negotiate with governmental bodies, obtain permits or permissions, understand regulatory / legal framework, and maintain compliance with local laws;
4. Strong understanding of humanitarian access, duty of care obligations, risk management frameworks, and safeguarding “do no harm” principles;
5. Experience developing and enforcing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for field security, access, and staff protection;
6. Excellent communication, liaison, diplomacy and stakeholder management skills. Ability to engage with government officials, local authorities, community leaders, security providers, and internal programme teams;
7. High resilience, adaptability, capacity to work under pressure, in insecure environments, and handle rapidly changing security or regulatory situations;
8. Languages: Fluency in Ukrainian required; strong professional proficiency in English (writing and speaking).

How to apply

To submit your application, kindly provide your CV using the form provided below. 

To apply before 26 September 2025.