The team of the NGO "Needed Here" is glad to meet you!
Most of our team is located in Ukraine, but we have support from different parts of the world.
Our superpower
Each team member is a professional in their field and has experience working in the public sector. We are all different, but we are united by one goal - to promote the comprehensive development of conscious and responsible youth.
We have experience in implementing the full project cycle, from idea to final report. Our knowledge and skills were formed through our own trials and errors, and we want to share them with you.
The members of the organization have experience in working with projects supported by international partners such as NED, UNICEF, GIZ and USAID.
Our team consists exclusively of young people, so we can confidently say that we are on the same wavelength as those for whom we create our projects.
Our organization adheres to four basic humanitarian principles, namely:
Humanity: Human suffering must be addressed wherever it arises. The aim of humanitarian action is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human person.
Neutrality: Humanitarian actors must not take sides in conflicts or participate in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.
Impartiality: Humanitarian action must be carried out solely on the basis of needs, giving priority to the most urgent cases of distress and without distinction as to nationality, race, sex, religion, class or political opinion.
Independence: Humanitarian action must be autonomous from the political, economic, military or other objectives that any actor may pursue in relation to the areas in which humanitarian action is carried out.
We use proven project development methodologies
We need to be flexible in responding to new challenges and adapting to a rapidly changing world. That is why we use an Agile approach in developing our projects, which helps us to respond favorably to changes.
Our projects are created by people for people. That is why we also actively use the Human-centered design approach.
Roman Pomaz
Head of the NGO "Needed Here". Experience in the public sector for over 5 years.
Has experience in managing regional-level projects with the support of international donors. Current mentor and co-trainer in the Upshift Ukraine program.
Has a professional humanitarian and economic education, certified youth worker. Experience in teaching at a higher education institution - 2 years. The main direction of work at the moment is youth development projects, involving youth in the decision-making process, projects aimed at career guidance and development of soft skills in youth, educational projects and projects aimed at community development.
Has over 10 years of experience in career counseling of students and developing a career planning strategy for youth.
Olena Galitsyna
Coordinator of youth and educational projects and programs.
Coordinator of the global UPSHIFT program in the Southern region (Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kherson regions), which is implemented by the United Nations Children's Fund UNICEF. Trainer and super-mentor of the UPSHIFT program (National level).
Over 9 years of experience in the public sector.
Has a humanitarian education and extensive experience working with adolescents and youth (group training, conducting lectures and specialized trainings, mentoring), families with children (PS, DBST, IDPs, SJO).
She is a trainer in working with youth, who is involved in various charitable foundations and public organizations, such as ICF “Terre des hommes”, CF “Yellow-blue wings”, NGO “SKC “Zadzerkalya”, NGO “Needed here”, NGO “Ukrainian professional development”, BO CF “SOS “Dityachi mistechka” and others.
Tatyana Yermak
Manager of youth and educational projects.
Professional psychologist with over 7 years of experience in the public sector. Certified youth worker, specialist in gender-based violence, sexual education and sexuality education. Tutor for international organizations International Medical Corps, HIAS Ukraine, Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe, Humanitarian Fund of Ukraine on the prevention of gender-based and domestic violence, sexual violence, ageism and sexism in modern society.
Has many years of experience working with children and adolescents, including conducting lectures, specialized trainings, individual consultations, mentoring, mediation of conflict situations and providing psychological support. Implements educational programs aimed at raising awareness of young people about reproductive health, the formation of personal boundaries and safe interaction in society. Assistant and mentor of the innovative youth program UPSHIFT, implemented by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Actively engaged in the development and implementation of career guidance projects for youth. Organizer and trainer of initiatives that help adolescents and young people consciously choose a professional path in accordance with modern challenges and needs of the labor market. Has experience in cooperation with educational institutions, businesses and government agencies to create opportunities for professional development of youth.
Provides career counseling services for women among IDPs and victims of gender-based violence.
Participated in research projects initiated by international organizations
Oksana Petrenko
Member of the public organization "Needed Here". Lecturer at Petro Mohyla National University of Kyiv, head of a sports club. Has experience in leadership positions in the direction of youth policy of the Mykolaiv region, implementation of projects and holding project competitions. Created and managed a humanitarian headquarters.
Diana Konopeltseva
Coordinator of educational programs. Mentor of the global program UPSHIFT, which is implemented by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Experience in the public sector for 10 years.
Has a law degree.
Extensive experience in implementing youth programs and organizing children's projects.
Olga Voytyuk
Assistant Coordinator of Educational Programs.
Mentor of the global UPSHIFT program, which is implemented by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Experience in the public sector for over 8 years.
Has a pedagogical education and extensive experience working with children and adolescents.
Certified youth worker (Certificate of the "Youth Worker" program of the Ministry of Youth and Sports)
Actively engaged in volunteer activities.
Olga Sagaydak
Experienced consultant in educational work and project activities, mentor of the UNICEF UPSHIFT educational program. From April to November 2024, she was the coordinator of the VibeHUB youth space in Chornomorsk. From February 20235, she became a mentor of Urbanrukh. From March to June 2024, she was a mentor of the Impulse program from the NGO "Association of Youth Workers of Ukraine", USAID, Hoverla. She has over nine years of experience working with youth and successfully implements initiatives aimed at developing the youth environment.
Olga is a certified youth worker and has expertise in the field of trauma-informed youth work, as well as youth center management. She is actively involved in creating opportunities for learning and self-realization for youth, working with various international and national organizations.
In 2024, Olga received a Certificate of Gratitude from the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine for her significant personal contribution to the implementation of the state youth policy of Ukraine.
Rita Zhukova
Youth policy and project management specialist with 9 years of experience in public service. 8 years of experience in youth policy and 5 years of experience in local government in leadership positions.
Has significant experience in writing and implementing grant projects, creating and developing youth councils, involving youth in the decision-making process in communities, as well as in conducting advocacy campaigns.
Coordinates the creation and development of youth spaces in Mykolaiv, Odesa and Kherson regions, provides mentoring assistance to local governments in the creation and functioning of youth centers and spaces.
Has two higher educations - in management and primary education. Constantly improves her skills by undergoing training in project management, youth work, women's leadership and social development.
Iryna Izyumska
Project monitoring and evaluation specialist at the NGO "Needed Here"
Collects and processes reports related to youth projects. Develops reporting forms and compiles statistical information on completed project plans.
Skillfully works with databases.
For some time she worked at a Kharkiv university.
Has over 6 years of experience in the field of office management.
Develops documentation of varying complexity (from application forms, reporting forms to orders, manuals, meaningful work procedures and regulations).
Worked as an administrative coordinator at the Netpeak Internet marketing agency. Has experience in organizing local events, placing orders for products for various purposes, organizing work with contractors, conducting inventory of goods and drawing up procurement plans. Has a high organizational level and a knack for administration.
Kateryna Devyatko
Communications manager of the NGO "Needed Here" and in the organization's projects.
Areas of activity: development of all types of text and visual materials, pre-press preparation, social media and website management, video editing.
Станіслав Конопельцев
Logistician-Purchaser. Experience in supply chain management and procurement in both the humanitarian sector and with private companies for over 10 years.
Has cooperation with a wide range of suppliers, including both large international companies and local representatives.
Korneva Darya
Financial Controller with over 8 years of experience in finance, accounting and management.
For over 5 years, she has held management positions, which allowed her to gain in-depth experience in strategic planning, coordination of financial processes and team management.
Specialist in the field of financial controlling and budget management. She has significant experience working with international financial organizations and grant programs, including ensuring compliance of financial reporting with international standards. She has knowledge in the field of financial audit, cost analysis, risk management and optimization of financial resources.
Currently works as a Financial Controller of the UPSHIFT program, implemented with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Responsible for financial planning, budgeting, reporting and ensuring transparency of financial processes. Controls the efficiency of resource use and implements financial monitoring mechanisms to achieve sustainable development of programs.
Specializes in:
Financial planning and budgeting of international projects.
Cost optimization and implementation of financial strategies.
Internal control and audit of financial transactions.
Analysis of financial risks and ensuring their minimization.
Automation of financial processes and implementation of digital financial management tools.
In addition to professional activities, actively supports social initiatives, in particular helping homeless animals, providing financial assistance, providing them with food and promoting their adaptation.
Basovska Kateryna
Financial Controller of the UPSHIFT program, implemented by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Collects, processes and analyzes the financial reporting of the UPSHIFT project, controlling the targeted use of resources and compliance with financial standards. Responsible for financial monitoring, budgeting and effective management of financial flows, ensuring transparency and compliance with international requirements.
Has a higher economic and humanitarian education, as well as over 8 years of professional experience in the field of finance, accounting and management, of which more than a year has been working in the public sector. She has been teaching for two years, and also has three years of experience in managing the finance department, effectively coordinating financial processes and optimizing the use of resources.
Is distinguished by high analytical skills, attention to detail and a professional approach to verifying financial data, which allows ensuring accuracy, compliance with regulatory requirements and efficiency of financial reporting.