Territorial Amalgamation Specialist (Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme)

Background

The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has had a direct and highly negative impact on social cohesion, resilience, livelihoods, community security, and the rule of law. Recognizing the need to urgently address reconstruction, economic recovery and peacebuilding needs in areas affected both directly and indirectly by the conflict, in late 2014 the Government of Ukraine requested technical assistance and financial support from the international community to assess priority recovery needs. In late 2014, the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Union conducted a Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment, which was endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers in mid-2015.In response to the situation, in 2016, UNDP has established a Project Office in eastern Ukraine with a view to consolidate and deliver the various recovery and governance projects through a comprehensive, area-based Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (RPP) in five conflict-affected oblasts: Donetsk and Luhansk (Government Controlled Areas), as well as Zaporizhzhya, Dnipro, and Kharkiv oblasts. RPP frames UNDP’s interventions in Eastern Ukraine to address the recovery needs of conflict affected population and communities. The Programme Component has three components focusing on: (1) economic recovery and restoration of critical infrastructure; (2) restoration of governance and support to decentralization reform; (3) strengthening community security and social cohesion.UNDP Ukraine invites applications from highly qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of the Territorial Amalgamation Specialists. The incumbent will provide support to the territorial administrative amalgamation process in the government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk Regions, by coordinating the adaptation/development, and subsequently the implementation of a methodology for territorial administrative reform in the groups of communities aiming to become hromadas (amalgamated local communities).This position falls under the second component of the RPP – i.e., Local Governance and Decentralization Reform (LGDR). Planned outputs and activities under the LGDR component are funded by the Government of Sweden, the Government of Switzerland and the European Commission.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator of the LGDR Component, the Territorial Amalgamation Specialists in close cooperation with Administrative Decentralization Specialist, Fiscal Decentralization Specialist and Communication Specialist will perform the following key tasks:

• Contribute to analysis of decentralization processes and results and compilation of decentralization best practices relevant for target communities in the East;
• Carry out intensive consultations and discussions of territorial administrative reform with all stakeholders involved in the recovery process;
• Contribute to capacity development and TA in managing the territorial amalgamation process and support the establishment of new Amalgamated Territorial Communities (ATCs) in areas of Donetsk and Luhansk under control of the government;
• Ensure implementation of respective activities of the Local Governance and Decentralization Reform component of RPP and delivery of results in accordance with the programme document, work plans and other joint agreements between the Government and UNDP;
• Lead the process of communication and dissemination of decentralization best practices in the East;
• Support in identification of opportunities of interaction and further voluntary amalgamation for communities from ‘grey zone’ in target oblasts;
• Contribute to the process of amalgamation through a comprehensive training program to increase the capacity of the key staff of hromadas' administrations (land planners, legal advisors, finance officers, and other key staff related to the practice of territorial amalgamation);
• Contribute to preparation of annual, quarterly, and detailed implementation work plans, and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of the component activities;
• Collect and analyse of data and relevant studies on territorial administrative reform, analyze the trends and keep abreast of all the developments at national and local level;
• Initiate and coordinate, in cooperation with the Communication Specialist, the conduction of comprehensive regional communication and consultation campaigns  to raise awareness of population of the targeted and neighbouring hromadas regarding the benefits of decentralization reform;
• Lead the process of identification the groups of communities/Hromadas which are ready to start the voluntary amalgamation process together with the Oblast administrations and the Ministry of Regional Development;
• Contribute to the assessment of the administrative capacities of local authorities which will be amalgamated and which will become administrative centers of the new Hromadas;
• Coordinate the selection, establishment and training of a network of facilitators for voluntary amalgamation;
• Coordinate the elaboration of a plan and methodology for voluntary amalgamation (focusing on the institutional and organizational aspects), and the pilot testing  of the methodology in a group of local authorities;
• Lead the network of facilitators who will assist the local authorities and their communities to initiate and complete the process of voluntary amalgamation;
• Monitor, coordinate and supervise field activities and provide technical support to ensure the Component objectives are met;
• Leadorganization of study tours for the key staff and amalgamation activists from all target hromadas to other oblasts to be acquainted with practical experience and successful models of improved territorial organization in other regions in Ukraine;
• Contribute to the selection processes of Implementing Partners (IPs), Consultants or Contractors and regularly oversee, supervise and monitor their work and delivery of assignments (training, seminars/workshops, surveys, data collection, etc.), as well as coordinate their work in target Oblasts. Ensure that the budget allocated for relevant activities is efficiently and properly utilized;
• Ensure that all activities are implemented in line with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Facilitate programme monitoring and evaluation, as well as audit activities;
• Prepare sections of the Programme/Component reports, including progress and annual reports, as well as any ad-hoc technical reports;
• Perform other activities as requested by Programme Coordinator and UNDP Project Office Management.

MEASURABLE OUTPUTS OF THE WORK ASSIGNMENT:

• Full and appropriate implementation of the respective activities on support of territorial amalgamation within Local Governance and Decentralization Reform component of RPP;
• Results, experiences and lessons learned during implementation of the Local Governance and Decentralization Reform component of RPP disseminated at the national and regional levels;
• Reporting and quality monitoring activities completed.

PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF RESULTS:

• Respective sections of the annual work plan for the Local Governance and Decentralization Reform component of RPP is fully and timely implemented;
• Funds delivery allocated for amalgamation support activities reached 100%;
• Programme and Component activities are carried out in strict accordance with UNDP rules and procedures.

Competencies

COMPETENCIES EXPECTED OF THE INDIVIDUAL:Corporate Competencies:

• Communication;
• Delivery;
• Innovation;
• Leadership;
• People Management;
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning;
• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Conflict Management;
• Result orientation;
• Teamwork;
• Self –management and emotional intelligence.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches.

Client Orientation:

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals:

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level. 

OTHER:

• Ability to implement project/programmes components for results, including the ability to translate strategic aims into achievable annual work plans; and prepare inputs to project/programme reports in a timely manner;
• Good interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to handle politically sensitive issues and establish partnership with government authorities and CSO’s and within UNDP;
• Sound judgment and maturity to foster a positive work environment;
• Familiarity with national legislation on recovery issues;
• Demonstrated strong analytical, coordination and facilitation skills;
• Excellent usage of computers and office software packages. 

Required Skills and Experience

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Finance, Social Sciences, or other relevant areas;
• At least 3 years of proven experience in analysis and research in the field of decentralization, inter-governmental relations, public administration, territorial administrative reorganization or other related area;
• Experience in delivering capacity development, advisory and advocacy services to the Government in the relevant fields would be a strong asset;
• Sound knowledge of public sector reforms and in particular administrative, governance, public service reform initiatives currently undertaken by the Ukrainian Government;
• Experience of working with the international organizations or international technical assistance projects, with relevant stakeholders from the governmental and non-governmental institutions involved into governance and decentralization issues at the national and sub-national levels would be a strong asset;
• Working level in English is required;
• Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian is required.

Application Instructions:

• Click on the "Apply now" button.
• Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. You can type in or paste your Resume into the last box.
• Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11). When completing the Form and, even though not currently requested, please include email addresses for your Supervisors.
• Without the completed and signed P11 your application will not be considered. The UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded at link. Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and please ensure that copies of your educational qualifications are available when contacted.

This is a locally recruited position and no expatriation benefits will apply.DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 31 MAY 2018UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.