Oksana Ivativa

I transitioned into the humanitarian sector from public service, but the shift wasn’t abrupt or radical for me.

From 1999 to 2023, I worked at the Dobropillia District State Administration and City Council. In my role as Deputy Head of the Department of Social Protection, I had the opportunity to delve into various aspects of humanitarian work. Later, I served as Deputy Head of the District Administration, Head of the Internal Policy Department, and managed the City Council's activities.

Each of these positions provided me with experience in systematic process management, a deep understanding of organizational work across various sectors, and constant self-discipline—qualities that could be considered fundamental traits of any civil servant.

One project that stands out in my memory is the women’s project “Diva” in 2016, which we conducted in Dobropillia in collaboration with the Center for Municipal Development. It aimed at increasing women’s roles in community development. That experience led me to pursue facilitation training, and for two years, I studied at the Kyiv Peace and Reconciliation Institute. Over the next three years, I facilitated 14 dialogue sessions focused on conflict resolution in the public sector, education, and social protection. In 2021, I added a certification as an expert-consultant on developing municipal systems for preventing and combating domestic violence to my achievements.

In 2022, after relocating to Dnipro, I joined the NGO “Syla Maybutnioho” (Power of the Future) and worked on the “Contact2U” project for internally displaced persons. We managed to conduct 18 networking events and over 30 workshops in various fields.

Now, as part of the team at “Responsible Citizens,” I have the opportunity to combine my professional and life experiences with large-scale projects for people living in eastern regions. Every day, I feel that I’m making a difference. For me, this is a unique blend of continuous learning and professional experience exchange, which is why I truly value this strong team!