Background

The Digital, Inclusive, Accessible: Support to Digitalisation of Public Services in Ukraine (DIA Support) Phase 2 Project is built on achievements and lessons learnt from the previous phase (2021-2023), and aims to continue to support the ongoing digitalisation process in Ukraine with the view of strengthening the Government’s capacities to deliver high quality and accessible digital services to vulnerable groups in Ukraine while using digital technologies and solutions to address other complex challenges posed by the war, including ensuring transparency and accountability of the recovery process, critically important for Ukraine’s EU Integration. 

The Project comprises of three outputs (components): 

Output 1. Government institutions have strengthened capacity to design and implement inclusive digital transformation policy at national and local level. Output 2. The Government has a digital infrastructure which ensure efficient and effective processes for the civil service and delivery of technically modernized digital public services for vulnerable and war-affected groups. Output 3. Ukrainian women and men have increased their digital skills to fully benefit from digitalization.

Project Manager is responsible for coordination, implementation, and closure of the Project under the Democratic Governance Portfolio. The incumbent will promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Project management and coordination:

Provide guidance and expert inputs into all components, ultimate in-project clearing house for all project products and activities, achieving the overall project outputs. Provide substantive input to the project activities and outputs and ensure timely implementation of the project’s activities, including reporting on progress vis-à-vis planned activities and expected outputs. Set up and manage the project office, including staff facilities and services, in accordance with the project work plan. Ensure timely preparation of project work plan, procurement and staffing plans, and other related documents for timely commencement of the project activities. Develop a detailed project implementation plan, coordinate, and supervise the work of project experts and consultants, including the preparation of the terms of reference for consultants, national experts and subcontractors recruited under the project, forward planning of project activities and budget expenditures, activity scheduling, and reporting. Participate in Board Meetings, evaluations and in discussions and, hence, be responsible for preparation of review and evaluation reports such as the Annual Project Report (APR) for the consideration of the UNDP and the Project Board. Assume direct responsibility for managing the project budget, ensuring that: a. project funds are made available when needed and are disbursed properly. b. accounting records and supporting documents are kept; c. required financial reports are prepared. d. financial operations are transparent and financial procedures/regulations are applied. e. the project is ready to stand up to audit at any time. Ensure compliance of project’s business processes with UNDP Ukraine Standard Operating Procedures. Monitor project inventory, attendance records, and the filling system. Assure correct personnel management and procurement of goods/services. Report regularly to and keep the UNDP CO up to date on project progress and problems, if any. Ensure compliance with UNDP project management policies and procedures.

2. Development and maintenance of ties with the key partners and stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, partners, donors, and communities:

Establish and maintain a dialogue with government officials, both local and national, CSOs, partners, donors, and communities to provide knowledge and understanding, ensuring an accurate interpretation of the project’s mission. Maintain close liaison with national project partners, ensuring optimum participation and promoting ownership of national authorities in the implementation of the project. Provide support to UNDP’s resource mobilisation efforts in the area of digital transformation. Develop capacities of and ties with state bodies/partners (Ministry of Digital Transformation and other government bodies) at the national and regional levels. Coordinate Project’s objectives and activities with other development partners. Participate in public relations and media activities.

3. Team Supervision:

Lead and supervise the project team, providing guidance, mentoring, and support to team members. Facilitate a collaborative and productive work environment, promoting teamwork and professional development. Conduct regular performance evaluations and provide feedback to team members, fostering continuous improvement and accountability.

4. Reporting and Documentation:

Oversee development of comprehensive documentation regarding project activities, ensure all project documents and reports are in line with UNDP values, procedures, and project goals. Coordinate project reporting in a timely, accurate and cohesive fashion.

5. Ensuring the mainstreaming of gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations in the field of expertise:

Ensure that gender equality is pursued in all project activities and reflected in work plans, budgets, reports, research, analyses and, where specifically relevant, analysed in detail. Ensure gender-responsive results-based management, promotion of a safe and enabling environment free of any kind of discrimination and abusive behaviour, and gender-responsive communications based on corporate principles.

6. Promoting a safe and enabling environment free of discrimination and abusive behaviour corporate standards:

Support the promotion of team culture of gender equality and zero tolerance to any sexual misconduct in the team through leadership and personal example. Demonstrate respect for gender equality in professional interactions, identify and address sexism and gender discrimination. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Manager will work under direct supervision of the Programme Specialist-Democratic Governance (Team Leader). The incumbent will be supervising project team

Competencies

Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination:  LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

People Management

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated . 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies  Thematic Area Name Definition Business direction and strategy System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. Business management Project Management  Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. Business management Digital Awareness and Literacy Ability to monitor new and emerging technologies, as well as understand their usage, potential, limitations, impact, and added value. Ability to rapidly and readily adopt and use new technologies in professional activities, and to empower others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends. Business management Partnerships Management Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies. Information Management & Technology User Experience and Business Analyst Capacity to translate efficiently users’ needs in IT requirements around human-centred design principles. 2030 Agenda: People Gender Gender digital divide Partnership Management Relationship Management Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Information management, Cybernetics, ICT, Management of Information Systems, Computer Science or Public Administration is require, or A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Min. years of relevant work experience  Minimum 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national or international level in the design, development or managing digital transformation initiatives within the public sector on leadership roles in government institutions, CSOs or international technical assistant projects. Required skills  Extensive people and project management skills, proven leadership experience. Proven ability to achieve results in high-pressure, low-visibility environments related to digital transformation in the public sector. Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section Proven experience in working with government bodies and international organisations on highest level with positive track record of relations building and management.  Proven experience in the design, development and implementation of major IT systems, with an advanced understanding of digital transformation processes and procedures in the public sector. Experience working with and knowledge of BPMN notation is an asset. Working experience with digital public services, government digital tools development or state registers management or development is highly desirable. Required Language(s)  Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Ukrainian is required for local personnel. Professional Certificates n/a

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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