Legal Specialist

Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is seeking for the project Strengthening Ukraine’s EU Alignment in the Rule of Law a qualified staff member to fill the position of a

Legal Specialist (full-time, Kyiv)

(internal SAP code: Law Specialist)

“Strengthening Ukraine’s EU Alignment in the Rule of Law” is a technical cooperation project commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office and implemented by GIZ in order to assist the government of Ukraine in its efforts to align Ukrainian legislation with the Acquis Communautaire of the European Union, focusing on the negotiation chapters related to “Judiciary and Fundamental Rights” (Chapter 23) and “Justice, Freedom and Security” (Chapter 24) that lie at the heart of the cluster called the “Fundamentals of EU Membership”. The project aims at enhancing the capacities of key actors within the Ukrainian government to steer and implement a cooperative and participative process of the country’s EU alignment in the rule of law. The implementation partners are the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine as well as the Government Office for Coordination on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration located at the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

The advisor will be part of the project’s team of legal advisors which focuses on supporting national key actors responsible for the alignment to the EU acquis with the specialised expertise needed to work towards the achievement of key reform projects necessary to make progress under the Chapters 23 and 24 of the accession process in particular but not exclusively through an “Experts Platform”. The advisor will work towards bringing together renowned Ukrainian and international legal experts providing hands-on and needs-based yet structured capacity building to key Ukrainian stakeholders. 

Areas of responsibility:

• Compiling analyses, opinions and recommendations and other on-demand legal advice related to the negotiation process to partners and donors to maximise the added value for the Ukrainian partners;
• Building up partnerships with renowned international, German and national legal experts and Think Tanks in the field of EU alignment in the rule of law within and outside the Expert Platform;
• Building up and managing a platform of international and national experts and institutions in the area of the fundamentals of the EU acquis communautaire in the rule of law;
• Carrying out and/or directing and overseeing the platform’s capacity development activities such as training courses, seminars, workshops, conferences;
• Carry out own capacity development activities which accompany the Platform’s work, such as training of trainers, information sessions or consultations;
• Ensuring gender equality in the scope of the project’s activities and the recommendations of the network;
• Stay abreast with the overall strategic approach of the Ukrainian government vis-a-vis the accession process as well as with progress of alignment in all chapters of the Acquis Communautaire;
• Contribute to the success of the project in all areas through close collaboration with colleagues promoting experience exchange and political dialogue.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in law, European Law or equivalent;
• At least 3-5 years of professional experience in legal reform in the area of rule of law or related fields;
• Sound knowledge of the Ukrainian government’s reform agenda in Rule of Law, the European Union acquis and accession procedures; 
• Familiarity with the structure and procedures of the European Union, in particular with regard to EU enlargement processes;
• Access to a network of legal experts in the area of legal reform, EU alignment, rule of law;
• Excellent command of written and spoken Ukrainian and English; command of German a plus.

Personal competences:

• Strong interest in EU accession policies and Ukraine’s reform agenda aligning to the acquis communautaire;
• Team player with excellent intercultural competences;
• Strong organisational, planning and managerial competences;
• Excellent communication, writing, presentation and organisational skills;
• Ability to work flexibly and independently, often under tight deadlines;
• High level of discretion, integrity, and sense of tone;
• Aptitude for assessing material and content of politically sensitive nature.

We offer:

• Official employment;
• Salary fixed in EUR, performance-related bonuses and 13th salary;
• Medical insurance, 29 vacation days annually;
• Language classes, hard and soft skills trainings;
• Individual and group psychological support;
• Possible remote and flexible work;
• Meaningful and valuable work, international environment.

Assignment

The assignment starts as soon as possible.  Full-time position with 40-hours working week. For now, the contract duration is till the end of December 2025.

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and offers an attractive 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 COB 03.05.2024, Friday.

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.