Municipal Finance Adviser (full time, Kyiv)

The Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in Ukraine is seeking a qualified professional for U-LEAD with Europe, Ukraine - Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development Programme to fill the position of 

Municipal Finance Adviser (full time, Kyiv)

In the last few years, Ukraine has developed and adopted various laws in favour of an ambitious decentralisation reform, which reshapes the relations between the national, regional and local levels and builds institutional capacity. 

Civic engagement, cohesion and communication are important aspects of development of municipalities. Democracy depends on citizens’ participation. When citizens are engaged, they can exchange ideas, invest in finding solutions and employ living discourse to address the issues facing their communities. People in municipalities have the freedom to participate in and influence the policy, acting as a check on the local government. 

Civic engagement involves working to make a difference in the life of the community. When people of a community are closely involved and the strategy is communicated, it encourages citizens to take ownership of the initiatives of development instead of considering themselves as recipients of development. In its turn, community cohesion refers to the aspect of togetherness and bonding exhibited by members of a community, the "glue" that holds a community together. This might include features such as a sense of common belonging or cultural similarity. 

The provision of the high-quality cultural services in municipalities is a crucial issue which should provide basis for bonding the community and enhancing citizens’ participation and engagement.

For support of the U-LEAD with Europe team in the implementation of the Programme, we are looking for a highly motivated Capacity Development Adviser with the focus on civic engagement, cohesion and communication as well as provision of culture services in municipalities. Good knowledge of the decentralisation and regional policy reform process in Ukraine, excellent analytical skills, experience in providing capacity development measures are essential.

Area of responsibilities

• Providing expertise and advise on local finances and local public financial management, covering relevant dimensions (budget planning, municipal revenues, budget execution, financial control and audit) to support the achievement of Programme goals.
• Designing and supporting capacity development measures in the field of municipal finances, including legal aspects.
• Contributing to the development of e-learning modules on municipal finances.
• Collect, study, and analyse information about changes in budget and tax legislation regarding municipal finances, provide input and feedback. 
• Ensure the implementation of the Thematic Support Packages, namely Municipal Finance and other relevant packages.
• Identify capacity development partner institutions and experts both in Ukraine and abroad, design Terms of Reference, support implementation and monitor outputs.
• Moderate, facilitate and deliver (if necessary) capacity building measures for local self-government bodies in the field of responsibilities.
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of e-learning component of Thematic Support Packages on Municipal Finance.
• Research on the trends and best practices in local self-government and their legal framework in expertise.
• Liaison with international advisors and other experts assigned by U-LEAD. Ensure quality control of materials provided by the contracted experts.
• Provide inputs and feedback to training materials provided by U-LEAD with Europe units upon request.
• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of events, incl. round tables, discussion forums and workshops on relevant topics.
• Take an active role in design and development of operational planning considering capacity development needs of local self-government bodies in Ukraine and changing legal framework.
• Contribute to U-LEAD monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and data management.
• Provide input to reports, briefings, presentations, summaries of reports and legal provisions in English and Ukrainian.
• Maintain good flow of communication and information between all involved counterparts.

Requirements

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in finance, economics, or other related areas (e.g. public administration, statistics, etc.). 
• At least 3 years of work experience in the field of municipal finance management at local, regional, national or international level, in public sector or related areas. 
• Work experience with, or knowledge of public administration in Ukraine at national, oblast and local level, knowledge of civil society organisations and international organisations.
• Knowledge of the government reform agenda in the field of decentralisation, including reforms of budgeting, audit, procurement, etc.
• Good knowledge of local self-government standards, regulations, needs and problems.
• Good knowledge of European Charter of Local Self-Government standards and their implementation in Ukraine.
• Practical working knowledge in the field of decentralisation as well as professional experience in local self-government is an advantage.
• Experience in designing and delivering trainings on local self-government issues is an advantage.
• Strong organisational and planning competences.
• Excellent communication, presentation skills.
• Excellent written and spoken Ukrainian, very good command of the English language.
• Very good working knowledge of computer applications (e.g. MS Office).
• Experience in providing capacity development measures on-line and off-line.
• Experience in developing e-learning courses is an advantage.
• Diligence and responsible work ethic.
• Team player, backed by effective time management, professionalism, creativity and vision, with strong communication skills.
• Availability to take on responsibility and a corresponding sense for responsibility.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions and tight deadlines, flexible and able to work with people of different professional and cultural backgrounds, result-oriented, well organised and motivated.

Employment conditions

Full time position with 40-hours working week. Place of assignment is Kyiv. Some travel within Ukraine is possible. Starting in January 2022. Contract duration is until the end of December 2023.

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

Application

Application comprising of the candidate's CV and a cover letter in the English language explaining the motivation to apply for the job is to be sent until 24:00 on Sunday, 05 December 2021.

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.