Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the development arm of the United Nations, UNDP supports strategic capacity development initiatives to promote inclusive growth and sustainable human development. Through partnerships with national, regional, and local governments, civil society, and the private sector, UNDP strives to support Ukraine in its efforts to eliminate poverty, develop people’s capacity, achieve equitable results, sustain the environment, and advance democratic governance.

In Ukraine, UNDP has been working since 1993 with the Government and local authorities, partners across the UN system, civil society and local communities to help identify and develop targeted solutions to the country’s development challenges and since 2022 has worked with the Government and local authorities to mitigate the effects of the war and support Ukraine’s recovery. We work in close collaboration with key ministries, departments, and agencies and local authorities in a robust, integrated manner in three portfolios:

• Democratic Governance and Inclusive Social Fabric
• Inclusive Economic Growth 
• Energy and Environment

Drawing from past experiences and aiming to bolster the recovery of communities affected by war in target areas of Ukraine, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine has partnered with Denmark on a new programme using an area-based approach to deliver on reconstruction, returns, resilience and reforms in Mykolaiv region.

The key objective of the programme is to support the strengthened reconstruction and recovery of war-affected communities through: a) enhanced local governance capacity; b) improved living conditions, services and infrastructure reconstruction; c) increased economic opportunities.

In this regard, UNDP Ukraine invites applications from highly qualified and experienced professionals for the post of Local Governance and Public Financing Specialist based in Mykolaiv. The incumbent will be primarily responsible for the provision of high-quality technical advice on local governance, public investment management, and EU regional policy, as well as successful management of the Mykolaiv-Denmark programme and also other related area-based UNDP interventions in Mykolaiv region.

Position Purpose

Under the guidance of the Resident Representative (RR) and/or Deputy Resident Representative (DRR), and direct supervision of the Programme Manager, Head of Area-Based Recovery, the Local Governance and Public Financing Specialist advises on local governance, public investment management and EU regional policy implementation in Mykolaiv region and relevant linkages to UNDP programmes. Programme management responsibilities include leading strategic planning, identifying new programme areas and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities, and monitoring programme implementation to ensure consistency with CPD priorities. The Local Governance and Public Financing Specialist works closely with the authorities in Mykolaiv and the Danish Embassy Office counterparts to identify alternative programmatic options and to enhance the impact of UNDP projects and programmes.

The Local Governance and Public Financing Specialist coordinates a team of UNDP experts across thematic areas and interacts collaboratively with colleagues from UNDP, UN Agencies, Hromada, city and regional authorities, other partners, and civil society to contribute to UNDP’s policy dialogue and maintain networks.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across issues, units, functions, teams and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide policy advice to counterparts and lead knowledge management on inclusive local governance and public investment management.

Facilitate policy dialogue on local governance and public investment management issues with the Government, partners, civil society, private sector and contribute to development of policies as relevant. Provide relevant policy options, particularly on local governance and public investment management, fostering trust with authorities and other development partners, and linked to longer term reforms of the EU integration process, in particular relevant to implementation of Chapter 22 of the Acquis on regional policy.  Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Assess the country’s local governance and public investment management policies and strategies for their impact on EU integration progress and community transformation and the impacts on poverty reduction, and inclusive and sustainable growth, to be used by partners, the office, the regional bureau or UNDP HQ. Provide training and capacity building support for UNDP staff, local authorities and public institutions on local governance, public investment management and EU regional policy issues.

Leads the implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies for area-based recovery in Mykolaiv region.

Guide programme colleagues to better understand risks and opportunities related to programme implementation. Ensure that programme strategy formulation considers risks and opportunities and other future signals. Manage the thorough analysis of the political, social and economic situation in Ukraine, and Mykolaiv region specifically. Operationalize United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)/Country Programme Document (CPD) in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies. Design and formulate programme and translate UNDP priorities into local interventions. Oversee programme implementation with implementing partners, in line with UNDP Standards.

Build strategic partnerships in the designated area

Implement CO partnerships strategies. Develop partnerships with other UN Agencies, government institutions, private sector and civil society in assigned programme/thematic areas. Determine strategic programmatic areas of cooperation related to recovery in Mykolaiv, in line with agreed global, regional and national priorities. Contribute to development of Country Office pipeline and portfolio that includes designing programme/project documents, concept notes and proposals.

Promote awareness and facilitate advocacy for UNDP’s mandate and mission

Contribute to policy advocacy for reconstruction, returns, resilience and reforms by participating in relevant forums, conferences and trainings. Provide support to monitoring progress and formulation of strategies towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Produce high quality input for UNDP presentation at national and international workshops and conferences and UNDP foresight initiatives. Produce knowledge and briefings on recovery issues and UNDP programmes and project activities.

Ensure gender equality, mainstreaming across all programme components

Carry out gender assessments in target communities and ensure that programme strategies, objectives, and indicators reflect gender-specific needs and priorities. Ensure that recovery efforts, including infrastructure, services, and governance mechanisms, are inclusive and address barriers faced by women and marginalized groups. Provide technical support and capacity building of UNDP staff, local authorities, and implementing partners on gender equality and inclusive recovery practices. Develop and apply gender-sensitive indicators, ensure sex-disaggregated data collection, and use findings to inform programme adjustments and reporting. Collaborate with women’s organizations and gender experts, and advocate for gender equality in policy dialogues, donor engagement, and public communications.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Matrixed supervision and performance management of Mykolaiv area-based recovery programme team.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

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:

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-Portfolio Management: Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment

Digital & Innovation & Data privacy and digital ethics: 

Knowledge of ethical usage of digital technology (. AI, robotics, automation) and data. Ability to assess ethical implications when using, combining or sharing data, when building or implementing AI systems, and when advising on robotization and automation etc.  Ability to design privacy protocols to ensure data is protected and used for legitimate purposes without unnecessary privacy risks.

2030 Agenda: Peace & Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and Responsive Institutions: Local Governance Innovations

Digital & Digital Thought Leadership: Ongoing research into emerging technologies and digital trends and the applications, risks, and opportunities associated with digital adoption, combined with the ability to communicate this synthesis with a broad audience.

Digital & Digital Ecosystem: Knowledge of how they work, understanding of the opportunities and challenges for governments and society

2030 Agenda: People & Gender: Data for Social Norms and Innovative Policies

Digital & Digital Inclusion: Knowledge of how digital inclusion works, opportunities and challenges for governments and society

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or any other related field is required. Or A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of seven (7) years (with master’s degree) or nine (9) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level that includes some experience in local governance, public investment management, EU regional policy, policy analysis, and design, implementing, monitoring or evaluation of projects, is required. Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Teams, etc), and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP is required.  Proven experience and excellent understanding of local governance, public financial management and EU regional policy is desired Experience and overview of recovery and development in context of Ukraine is desired. Experience in developing funding proposals, managing donor relations, and coordinating multi-stakeholder programmes is desirable. Experience working with local authorities, civil society, and community-based organizations to co-create development solutions is desirable. Proven experience in integrating gender equality mainstreaming throughout all program components is considered an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required.  Working knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.

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. 

UNDP participates in the Scheme for the disclosure of safeguarding-related misconduct in recruitment processes within the humanitarian and development sector (Misconduct Disclosure Scheme). In line with this Scheme, UNDP will contact previous employers of job applicants to request information about any investigations or findings of misconduct concerning allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment (sexual misconduct) against the applicant, during or after their employment. By submitting a job application, the applicant confirms to have understood and consented to UNDP contacting the applicant’s prior employers to request any such information on sexual misconduct concerning the applicant during UNDP’s
recruitment process.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process.