Advisor on Regional Development (full time, Kyiv)

Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Ukraine is seeking a qualified professional for the project “Support for Structural Change in Ukrainian Coal Regions” to fill the position of the

Advisor on Regional Development (full time, Kyiv)

In the upcoming decade, unprofitable state-owned coal mines will be seizing its operations. This poses major social and economic challenges for the coal regions. The structural change needed to overcome them, based on the concepts of Just Transition and Green Recovery, can provide new impetus for the development and growth in the affected regions, and beyond. Decarbonization of the economy also makes a significant contribution to Ukraine's ability to raise its level of ambition in the context of global climate protection.

The aim of the project “Support for Structural Change in Ukrainian Coal Regions” is to ensure that Ukraine carries out the structural change associated with the coal phase-out in a socially and economically compatible and ecologically sustainable manner, with the involvement of civil society, using appropriate funding instruments in accordance with the concepts of Just Transition and Green Recovery.

Responsibilities

• Advising the Ukrainian government on issues of regional development policy in relation to structural change in Ukrainian Coal Regions. 
• Coordinating and providing on-going advice to successfully implement Pilot Projects in the target location in close consultation with Regional Offices Team.
• Facilitating continuous dialogue with the Local Government and other key partners to support proper partnership in common development efforts in the area of structural change in Ukrainian Coal Regions. 
• Defining priorities and needs for external expertise through regional studies, prepare the relevant contractual documents, ensure quality control of the services delivered by external consultants.  

Tasks 

• Advising Ukrainian counterparts on issues related to the regional development policy in the context of the coal regions in transition and energy transformation, including on carrying out and evaluating analysis, scenarios, studies for a just structural change in the pilot regions. 
• Designing, implementing and monitoring capacity development measures in the field of regional development.  
• Supporting cities and municipalities in the formation and capacity development of transformation clusters, regional development agencies (RDAs) and other local and regional institutions for economic and employment promotion in the pilot regions 
• Advising and supporting regional and local institutions in participatory development, pilot implementation and impact-oriented evaluation of programmes and measures to promote a fair structural change in pilot regions. 
• Engaging in the operational planning, priorities and activities of the team, together with the Team Lead and other team members.
• Preparing Terms of References for external service providers and experts and ensuring quality and compliance with GIZ rules of the services.
• Providing professional platform for networking and partnership building with the government, local authorities, non-government, private sector and international development organizations or projects.
• Recording and evaluation of the results (outputs, outcomes and impact) of the pilot projects, including comprehensive assessments of learning experiences and upscaling of best-practice approaches to other regions as well as actively increasing the outreach by targeted communication activities.
• Maintaining regular contacts and good working relations with Ukrainian stakeholders on the regional and local level.
• Maintaining strong cooperation with regional teams in designing pilot projects and support programmes. 

Required qualifications, competences and experience 

• MA/MSc in Economic, Engineering, Energy or other relevant field. 
• At least 3 years professional experience of work on regional level. 
• At least 10 years work experience in the international development cooperation sector. 
• Good knowledge and solid personal network of the relevant energy stakeholders in the public and private sector as well as in academia, research institutes.
• High proficiency in written and spoken Ukrainian and English. German knowledge should be aspired if not yet existent.
• Understanding and interest in current coal transformation agenda, especially with the focus to the regional development.
• Keen interest in the field of international cooperation for regional development in Ukraine with a focus on pilot projects implementation. 
• High political sensitivity and inter-personal skills, capacity to coordinate and communicate with political actors on different hierarchical levels maneuver activities and mediate interests in a complex political context.
• Very good knowledge of quantitative research methodologies and scientific excellence.
• Proficient use of MS Office Package; additionally, data processing and analyzing software (e.g. Stata, SPSS, R).
• Ability to self-responsibly organize and implement assigned work and responsibilities.
• Ability to prioritize tasks independently with possible time constraints and workload.
• Ability to get well on with others and be a team player.
• Goal orientation combined with a high level of frustration tolerance.
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed.
• Ability to make new and useful ideas work, improve performance and satisfaction.
• Customer and service-oriented attitude. 

Employment conditions 

Full-time position with 40-hours working week. The contract duration is 3 years. This position requires Ukraine-wide travels, in case necessary, under a business as usual scenario (i.e. when travel restrictions are lifted).  

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and offers an attractive and challenging working environment with opportunities for skill enhancement. 

Application

We are looking forward to your application in English, comprising your CV and a Cover letter explaining your motivation to apply for the job until COB 25 August 2021, Wednesday.  

By sending the application the candidate gives the consent for the personal data processing for recruitment processes solely. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stages of the recruitment process.