Legal Advisor

Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Ukraine is seeking a qualified professional for the project “Support to the Decentralisation Reform in Ukraine / U-LEAD with Europe: Ukraine Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development Programme - Phase II” to fill the position:

Legal Advisor (full-time, Kyiv)

(internal SAP code: Law Advisor)

 “U-LEAD with Europe: Ukraine – Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development Programme” is a multi-donor initiative funded by the European Union and its member states Germany, Denmark, Poland and Slovenia, which supports the efforts of the Ukrainian government in further strengthening local self-government and supporting the development of a multi-level governance system that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the needs of the Ukrainian people. Ukraine has made decentralisation and regional development a top priority on its political agenda while the country is moving towards becoming a member state of the European Union. The reform aims at promoting a viable local self-government and thus bringing a positive change to people’s lives. 

To support U-LEAD with Europe’s Multi-Level Governance Unit (MLGU), we are looking for a highly motivated Legal Advisor with strong expertise on legal parameters of the decentralization reform process in Ukraine and excellent analytical skills. The Legal Advisor will be a member of the Policy Team, which focuses on analysing the current Ukrainian legislation in the field of local self-government, as well as prospective legislation that would be in line with the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the recommendations of the European Commission as reflected in the Enlargement Report of 8 November 2023 and The Ukraine Plan.

 The Legal Advisor is responsible for: 

• Analyzing Ukrainian legislation in the field of local self-government and regional policy, assessing it in terms of compliance with the European Charter of Local Self-Government and the requirements of Ukraine’s EU integration.
• Preparation of high-quality analytical materials, conclusions and recommendations, as well as provision of legal advise to partners, donors and other relevant stakeholders.
• Ensuring close cooperation and providing effective assistance to the line ministry and the relevant parliamentary committee in the development of legal acts aimed at bringing Ukrainian legislation in the field of local self-government and regional policy in line with EU integration requirements.
• Collect, study and analyse information about the state of play of decentralisation reform and relevant legislation, provide input and feedback. Analyse draft laws and regulations submitted to the Parliament, Presidential decrees, decrees and executive orders of the Government and central bodies of executive power which are submitted to the Government, impacting local self-government. 
• Provide assessment of legal frameworks for decentralisation reform and prepare concepts on its improvements. Respond to requests regarding the practical application of legislation on decentralisation, the formation and functioning of hromadas via analysis, advise and recommendations. 
• Research on trends and best practices in local self-government and their legal framework. 
• Liaison with Ukrainian and international legal experts, international advisors and other experts assigned by U-LEAD and ensure quality control of materials provided.
• Support designing and delivering training for trainers, local self-government officials etc. 
• Contributing to the preparation and implementation of events, incl. round tables, discussion forums, workshops and other formats on legislation, decentralisation issues and legislative proposals impacting local self-government.
• Develop and design Terms of Reference (ToR) and support expert contracting procedures. 
• Participating in meetings and working groups on legal issues at national level.
• Contributing to U-LEAD’s Monitoring & Evaluation and data management. 
• Providing input to reports, briefings, presentations, summaries of reports and legal provisions in English and Ukrainian language.
• Maintain good flow of communication and information between all involved counterparts. 
• Support the implementation of other project activities and other assigned tasks. 

Required qualifications and experience: 

• Master’s degree in law or equivalent and at least 4 years of work experience in public sector or related areas (e.g. public management, political science, social sciences, organisational development etc.).
• PhD degree in law is an asset. 
• Work experience with, or knowledge of, public administration in Ukraine at national, oblast and local level and/or knowledge of civil society organisations and/or international organisations.
• Thorough knowledge of the government’s reform agenda, in particular in the field of decentralization. 
• Deep understanding of administrative and territorial reform in Ukraine and the legal work to its implementation.
• Deep knowledge of local self-government standards, regulations, needs and problems. 
• Good knowledge of legislative process, constitutional and administrative law, contract, labor, property, land, election, court laws, experience in the preparation of draft laws is an advantage. 
• Deep knowledge of European Charter of Local Self-Government standards and the state of play of their implementation in Ukraine.
• Deep knowledge of the process of Ukraine's integration into the EU, The Ukraine Plan, the current state of play and resulting needs for change of legislation.
• Knowledge of the institutions of the European Union governance system, their core competencies.
• Work experience in the field of decentralization as well as professional experience in local self-government is an advantage.
• Proved experience of work in international environment.
• Proved experience of research and analytical work. 
• Experience in designing and delivering trainings on local self-government issues is an advantage. 

 Other knowledge, additional competencies:

• Strong organisational and planning competencies. 
• Excellent communication, presentation and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and spoken Ukrainian, very good command of the English language, good level of written English with specific knowledge of Legal English.
• Very good working knowledge of IT technologies and computer applications (e.g. MS Office). 
• Readiness for occasional business trips within Ukraine. 
• Diligence and responsible work ethic. 
• Availability to take on responsibility and a corresponding sense of responsibility.
• Ability to work under challenging conditions and tight deadlines, flexible and able to work with people of different professional and cultural backgrounds, result-oriented, well organised and motivated. 

 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 training.
• Individual and group psychological support.
• Possible remote and flexible work.
• Meaningful and valuable work in an international environment. 

 Employment conditions 

Full-time position with 40-hours working week. Duty station is Kyiv. Starting November 2024 – April 2025 with the perspective of extension until the end of 2027.  

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and offers an attractive and challenging working environment with opportunities for skill enhancement. 

 Application

Application comprising of the candidate's CV and a cover letter in English language explaining the motivation to apply for the job is to be sent to  Відправити резюме until 13 October 2024, Sunday. 

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.