Project Advisor

Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Ukraine is seeking qualified professional for the program “Strengthening of Urban Resilience in the Areas of Supply Infrastructure and Housing” to fill the position of the:

Project Advisor (full-time, Kyiv)

(internal SAP code: Urban and Regional Development Advisor) 

The program “Strengthening of Urban Resilience in the Areas of Supply Infrastructure and Housing” (SUR), initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is dedicated to rebuilding essential urban infrastructure in Ukraine's war-affected regions. 

The program's primary objectives include the reconstruction of basic infrastructure, enhancing digital and planning competencies in local administrations for efficient damage assessment and infrastructure planning, and implementing disaster risk management strategies to bolster resilience against current and future crises. Measures of the program focus on restoring critical services such as drinking water, electricity, heating, and housing in cities severely impacted by the conflict. 

In alignment with the EU's 2030 urban, climate, and energy policies, the SUR program contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all (SDG 7), building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation (SDG 9), and making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable (SDG 11). It works in synergy with other GIZ initiatives like ISU II, U-LEAD, and FEER to enhance urban resilience and essential services across Ukrainian municipalities.

Core task:
 The project is implemented through two components: one focusing on advising municipalities and partner institutions (Component 1), and the other leading construction activities (Component 2). The Heads of Components work together with the Program Director and project management team in Germany. 

Component 1 benefits from the support of an Advisory Unit and an Administrative Unit, both situated within the Main Office located in Kyiv. This centralized hub provides essential resources and expertise to aid in advisory and administrative functions critical to the success of initiatives carried out by the Regional Specialist in the three regions.Component 2 is equipped with Construction Engineers and an Administrative Specialist, also stationed in Kyiv, to manage and oversee construction-related activities. 

The Advisor‘s core task is to provide professional advisory services to urban recipients and beneficiaries of the Project and to cooperate with a broad range of stakeholders and target groups – including Ukrainian municipalities and associations, international technical assistance projects and programmes, IFI-s, universities, think tanks or civil society – in strengthening their institutional capacities and human resources with regard to a systematic disaster risk management.

Main areas of activity: 

The Advisor: 

• Plays a pivotal role in supporting the elaboration and execution of operational plans, provision of on-demand advisory services on urban disaster risk management and related fields, especially in the context of rehabilitation and recovery and in managing innovation and knowledge on disaster risk management, urban resilience and related fields in Ukraine.
• Coordinates measures at partner municipalities on elaboration, implementation and evaluation of urban disaster risk management measures and systems (e.g. Risk analysis and management; development of emergency protocols, emergency training; planning for redundant supply systems, structural protection in distribution networks).
• Contributes to the development of Human Capacity Development measures for municipal administrations, engineers and other to be defined target groups.
• Develops and organizing monitoring and quality assurance measures within transitional aid project
• Contributes to elaboration of policy papers, technical reports and recommendations.
• Reports to M&E officer about implemented tasks and activities within the Component 1 and contributes to result-based monitoring of the Project according to the given reporting format
• Organizes and facilitates inter-municipal dialogue and exchange of know-how through conferences, fora, workshops and networking activities.
• Contributes to elaboration of policy papers, draft laws, technical reports and recommendations.
• Facilitates coordination and where possible initiate cooperation with international and national experts, partners, community of practice in the topic of disaster risk management and related topcis. 
• Provides strategic liaison with Component 2 and other GIZ projects.
• Provides strategic liaison between the Project with other GIZ projects especially from the Construction Unit, Governance and Resilience clusters, the Ministry of Recovery of Ukraine, the Association of Ukrainian cities, and other national and international actors, on improving the national planning framework, particularly in relation to post-conflict urban recovery.
• As a member of the planning team, takes part in and prepares for monthly planning meetings and, on request, participates in meetings of the Project Management Team.
• Supports cooperation, regular contact and dialogue with partners, assists with PR work and cooperates with partner municipalities, relevant organisations and individuals, thus contributing to the development of the Strengthening Resilient Societies Cluster.
• Proactively reports and communicates on local initiatives and efforts on the partners’ side, forwards these to the Project Management Team and encourages exchange of ideas and information for the benefit of the Project.
• Conceptualizes and prepares events, such as workshops, seminars, or conference sessions.
• Prepares and commissions surveys, studies, training and enrichment activities within the Project
• Develops ready-to-use strategies and technical concepts, including guidelines, manuals and instructions; draws up reports and presentation slides; coordinates related data storage and archiving.
• Advises to the Head of Component and Project Director on a regular basis regarding the ongoing activities within the Project Component 1 and serves as a focal point for inquiries on urban and regional planning, land-use, critical infrastructure, and housing, participatory planning and citizen involvement.
• Prepares and submits suggestions for annual Project planning; examines and advises on activities proposed by implementation partners; organises and facilitates planning exercises with other components of transitional aid project; provides quality assurance of Project operational plans from the perspectives of integrated urban development and good governance principles.
• Prepares and submits suggestions for annual Project planning; examines and advises on activities proposed by the Project regional offices; organises and facilitates planning exercises with regional offices and at the Project level; provides quality assurance of Project operational plans from the perspectives of integrated urban development and good governance principles.
• Coordinates the involvement of external consultants, including identification of partner demands, preparation of terms of reference, supervision of consultants’ activities, examination and storage of produced technical reports.
• Supports the development of grant agreements with implementation partners, including identification of municipal partner demands, supporting eligibility assessment, supervision of delivered services and products.
• Contributes to financial management of activities in transitional aid project (maintenance of the onSITE Operation System for planning and contract management of project activities).

Required qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Urban Development/Planning, Political Sciences, Public Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Public Administration, Economics, Sociology or related fields.
• At least five years of professional experience in one or several fields: urban development, development cooperation, housing, critical infrastructure, public policy and administration or in related fields.
• Profound knowledge of the national regulatory framework in Ukraine in the fields of local self-governance, urban, regional development and territorial planning as well as infrastructure financing and implementation especially in the course of recovery and reconstruction planning; good knowledge of integrated urban development framework and principles is desired.
• Additional knowledge and/or professional experience on one or more of the following fields would be a benefit: urban and social resilience, decentralisation reform in Ukraine; international donor community and activities of International Financing Institutions; housing policy in Ukraine and post-socialist states; rehabilitation measures for critical infrastructure migration and internal displacement; inter-municipal cooperation between Ukrainian and European cities; post-conflict and disaster urban recovery.
• Ability to think strategically and align project activities with broader program objectives.
• Excellent communication and management skills, with a proven ability to communicate clearly towards various actors and effectively engage with stakeholders. Fluency in English is required. Fluency in German is a plus.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and adaptability, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural environments and navigate cross-cultural dynamics.
• Very good user knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 ecosystem.
• Diligence and responsible working style.
• High competencies of communication and interaction;
• Willingness to take responsibility.

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.

Employment conditions

Full-time position with 40-hours working week. The place of assignment is Kyiv. The contract duration is until 31.12.2026. Starting as soon as possible. 

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 the English language explaining the motivation to apply for the job is to be sent to Відправити резюме until October 31, 2024, Wednesday.

By sending the application the candidate gives the consent for the personal data processing for recruitment processes solely.