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 that countries can sustain progress. As the United Nations’ development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In Ukraine, UNDP operates in five programmatic areas of support: government capacities for crisis response and management; sustaining provision of public services; emergency works facilitating return and reconstruction; incomes, livelihoods and the private sector response; and civil society and maintenance of the social fabric.

The war in Ukraine has resulted in significant loss of life, widespread displacement, and devastating destruction of infrastructure, placing recent socio-economic achievements at risk. In this context, UNDP’s core engagement in Ukraine prioritizes safeguarding development gains, supporting the restoration of critical functions, and facilitating the country’s pathway back toward achieving the SDGs as quickly as possible.

The ongoing war has inflicted profound damage on Ukraine’s economy, infrastructure, and social fabric, creating unprecedented humanitarian and environmental challenges. According to the latest Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA4), released in February 2025, the total cost of reconstruction and recovery amounts to USD 524 billion over the next decade. For 2025, recovery and reconstruction priorities total USD 17.32 billion across public investment projects and non-investment programmes, identified through the Public Investment Management (PIM) system introduced by the Government of Ukraine in 2024. These priorities feed into a nationally coordinated pipeline of recovery interventions, relevant to the European Investment Bank (EIB)-funded Ukraine Early Recovery Programme (UERP), Ukraine Recovery Programme (URP), and Ukraine Recovery Programme III (URP-III).

The EIB-funded recovery programmes supported by UNDP Technical Assistance (TA) focus on five recovery priority areas: education facilities, healthcare infrastructure, housing, water and sewage systems, and public/administrative buildings. Since early 2017, UNDP in partnership with the EU and EIB has been providing TA to both UERP and URP with the implementation of 438 sub-projects in more than 170 communities, contributing to the successful completion of 117 sub-projects in 12 oblasts and benefiting around 4 million Ukrainians, including more than 460,000 internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.

Building on the successful implementation of previous EIB-financed recovery programmes – the UERP and URP – the new URP III aims at further supporting investments in critical public infrastructure in regions and communities affected by the RF’s military aggression and providing basic public services to affected populations. The UNDP Technical Assistance for the Ukraine Recovery Programme (URP and URP-III) is a 24-month initiative, funded by the EIB. It ensures that EIB-financed recovery investments are delivered efficiently and transparently, in full compliance with the EIB Environmental and Social Standards and the EIB Guide to Procurement, while applying “Build Back Better” principles and ensuring that no one is left behind.

The UNDP TA team will support the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine (MDCT) and local authorities in planning, preparation, procurement, implementation, and monitoring of recovery sub-projects across multiple oblasts in Ukraine, with priority given to war-affected communities, addressing critical capacity gaps and operational bottlenecks. UNDP provides integrated technical assistance throughout the sub-project cycle, including engineering and procurement monitoring, environmental and social risk management, financial management support, integrity and anti-corruption measures, and stakeholder engagement. By combining UNDP’s national presence and technical expertise, the UNDP project is expected to accelerate the implementation of over 300 EIB-funded sub-projects, contributing to the restoration of essential public services, strengthening of infrastructure resilience, and improved living conditions for conflict-affected populations, including IDPs and vulnerable groups.

In this regard, UNDP Ukraine invites applications from highly qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of the Engineer. 

The overall objective of this assignment is to provide assistance in technical support on various aspects of engineering and related technical issues to regional and local government clients. The Engineer (Cost Estimator) will be the representative of the UNDP in regions and will be extensively involved in day-to-day monitoring of the operations and actual rehabilitation and repair activities.

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

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager and direct supervision and guidance of the Engineering Analyst, the Engineer will perform the following key tasks:

Coordinate effective project planning and implementation:

• Support regions and final beneficiaries (municipalities, other public bodies) to fine-tune needs assessment, establish priorities and identify specific early recovery projects, and defining plan for renovation;
•    Coordinate under Engineering Analyst’s guidance establishing an infrastructure reconstruction plan in close cooperation with the local authorities and local business;
•    Review, check and appraise the engineering design, cost estimates and drawings of social and economic infrastructure facilities which will be prepared by qualified and competitive local engineering design companies;
•    Ensure adherence to selected direct administration procedures and verify compliance with standard costs;
•    Ensure control for carrying on construct/renovation of social and economic infrastructure facilities such as energy and water supply system, road, bridge and transportation system, supply chain, equipment and other production capacity in targeted areas;
•    Contribute to preparation guidelines for implementation of supported projects;
•    Provide advisory support to final beneficiaries and assess adequacy of operations;
•    Ensure identification and screening community-based projects, provision support to local communities for its preparation, collaborate with local authorities in view of its implementation;
•    Collaborate with the Project implementation Unit (PIU) and PIU consultants in:
-    identifying unit costs and standard costs for typical and concrete sub-projects, and assess for each sub-project any cost deviations;
-    assessing for each sub-project any indicators of acquisition of sub-standard services and/or sub-standard equipment that could indicate mal practices, promptly informing the Engineering Analyst and Project Manager.
-    Contribute to preparation of Project implementation plans, and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of the activities;
-    Contribute to preparation of supportive documents in line with Project objectives and tasks;
-    Liaise with respective governmental organizations to ensure the component activities are implemented on timely and efficiently manner;
-    Ensure coordination/partnership with relevant governmental, non-governmental and international organizations, including UN agencies and projects at national level and regional levels for mutually reinforcing impact;
-    Take measures to prevent and eliminate defects and make propositions on optimization;
-    Provide project monitoring through regular visit of the project sites, reviewing implementation progress against the agreed plans and milestones;
-    Maintain close liaison with regional and local project partners, ensuring optimum participation and promoting ownership of authorities in the implementation of the Project;
-    Develop the professional platform for networking and partnership building with the national and local authorities, non-government, private sector and international development organizations or projects;
-    Contribute to preparation and implementation of the Project communications strategy and plan.
•    Prepare sections of the project reports, including progress and annual reports, as well as ad-hoc technical reports;
•    Review norms and normative, certification and other requirements (esp., environmental, energy efficiency) and provide the technical advice in case selected projects require obtain permissions and construction certificates, other permitting documentation, as required;
•    Contribute to preparation of manuals and instructions/procedures documents for hromada-, city and/or oblast authorities to follow, in support for implementation of the EIB Technical Assistance Project (TA);
•    Perform other activities as requested by the Engineering Analyst.

Ensuring the mainstreaming of gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations in the field of expertise, and promoting a safe, enabling environment free of discrimination and abusive behaviour in line with corporate standards:
•    Assist with ensuring the project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving, and benefiting both women and men.
•    Use the principles of gender-responsive communications in line with the UNDP corporate standards.
•    Be aware of relevant gender issues and concerns in the field of expertise.
•    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.
•    Assist with informing and briefing personnel and partners about corporate sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse policies.

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

    Institutional Arrangement

Under the direct supervision of the Engineering Analyst and overall supervision of Project Manager, the service provider will provide assistance in technical support on various aspects of engineering and related technical issues to regional and local government clients.
 

Competencies

Core
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
Act with Determination:  LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination 
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 
Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Direction & Strategy Strategic Thinking
  • Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight
Business Direction & Strategy Effective Decision Making
  • Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications
Business Direction & Strategy Negotiation and Influence
  • Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.
Partnership management Strategic engagement
  • Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives
Finance Budget management
  • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets
Procurement Supplier/relationship management
  • Knowledge of supplier management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations
Security Services Safety management (including Air, Road, Fire)
  • Knowledge of air, road, and fire safety programmes/systems and ability to assess risks and identify mitigation measures

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Environment Engineering, Architecture, Construction or related field is required. or
  • A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience:

  • Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. 
  • Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in designing and managing of civil engineering projects and/or economic infrastructure and/or urban development/renewal programmes or other related field.

Desirable Criteria:

  • Experience and excellent knowledge of regulations and requirements in the field of construction, demolition and debris management.
  • Experience and sound knowledge of civil engineering and modern construction technology;
  • Proven experience and excellent knowledge of technical specifications and performance schedules of construction and installation works;
  • Experience and knowledge of procedures for quality control procedures.
  • Familiarity with national legislation in the area of construction, norms and standards of construction works, including critical infrastructures.
  • Excellent usage of computers and office software packages, including engineering design software.
  • Experience of working with relevant stakeholders from the governmental and non-governmental institutions involved into recovery and IDPs as well as economic and social development issues at the national and sub-national levels will be a strong advantage.
  • Experience in the field of procurement of civil works and services will be considered an advantage.
  • Experience of working or liaising with UNDP and familiarity with its bidding procedures will be considered an asset.
  • Experience of managing technical/engineering teams for civil engineering projects, reconstruction/construction of economic and social infrastructures or in other related fields is an advantage.

Required Language(s) :

  • Fluency in English and Ukrainian is required.

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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