Провідний спеціаліст з економічного розвитку (економічний розвиток громад)

Overall purpose of the role

• Under supervision of Livelihoods Assistance Programme for Eastern Ukraine (LAP) Team Leader, contribute to implementation of LAP via working on economic development of conflict-affected communities in Eastern Ukraine.
• Development of the new technological solutions for Livelihoods programme beneficiaries - government institutions, local NGOs, etc.
• Ensure the quality of the planning, implementation and follow up of all technical aspects of the sector activities being implemented by DRC
• Develop and maintain good relations with the persons of concern, relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of DRC's sector activities

Sector responsibilities: Business training and SME development, business grants, life-skills training, literacy and numeracy training, vocational training, micro-credit loans, savings groups, group enterprise development and facilitation. Support and capacity building of government institutions, value chains development, advocacy activities.

Geographic scope: Area (based in Slovyansk)

This role has an area focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the development of area strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to base operations.

Main responsibilities

Programming & Operations

• Lead selection of the targeted communities for comprehensive economic support
• Lead economic assessments in the selected communities: describing the current economic situation, forming communities' economic profiles, researching investment opportunities, finding potential market entry points and niches for support, etc.
• Actively search for and communicate with potential investors for the targeted communities in order to attract new investments for their economic revival
• Constantly look for new opportunities of support for the targeted communities
• Communicate with other DRC Livelihoods programmes to ensure programmatic synergies
• Coordinate with DRC Protection Unit on joint support activities within the targeted communities
• Keep all the related programme documentation in order
• Ensure efficient and effective program implementation while following the budget and work plan
• Participate in preparing monthly/quarterly/annual highlights/reports and proposals and budgets for donors
• Lead the team in carrying out monitoring and evaluation exercises

Coordination and representation

• Collaborate with relevant internal and external technical experts on sector relevant issues
• Represent DRC at meetings and other relevant technical coordination meetings
• Ensure integration with other DRC sectors

Project development

• Develop project plans and budgets for funding
• Develop projects tools
• Project implementation and reporting
• Monitor and evaluate projects

Logistics/Finance

• Support the monitoring of financial commitments and expenditures against budgets and provide timely feedback on budget follow-up
• Plan and coordinate proactively logistics and movements of staff from and to different operational areas
• Initiate procurements and ensure their execution
• Ensure distribution plans are prepared and shared with logistics in a timely manner

Required experience and competencies

• Understanding of local communities economic profiling and value chains analysis
• Knowledge of market assessment tools and methodologies
• Understanding of the investment climate in Ukraine and knowledge of main trends/actors in this field
• Experience of working in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and knowledge of up-to-date economic profile of Donbas
• Good report writing skills
• Minimum 2 years of practical experience in sector area working for an INGO - highly desirable
• Field experience
• Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Advanced English proficiency - highly desirable
• Fluency in local language: Ukrainian, Russian

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC's core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC's values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Required education

Relevant university degree (e.g. political science, international development, or economics) or equivalent professional qualification.