Legal & Regulatory Framework Specialist / Deputy Head (Youth Guarantee Programme, Ukraine)

Job Announcement: Legal & Regulatory Framework Specialist / Deputy Head (Youth Guarantee Programme, Ukraine)

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine 

Contract Type: Consultant 

Duration: 15 October 2025 – 31 December 2027

Language Requirements: Ukrainian, English (full working profeciency)

Supported by: Enabel – the Belgian agency for international cooperation

Background

Ukraine is advancing the implementation of the Youth Guarantee (YG) — a key European initiative ensuring that every young person under 30 receives a good-quality offer of employment, continued education, apprenticeship, or traineeship within four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education.

In July 2024, the Government of Ukraine established the Inter-Agency Working Group (IAWG), co-led by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, to coordinate YG preparation and roll-out. The IAWG involves a broad coalition of ministries, social partners, youth organizations, and international partners including the EU Delegation, Enabel, UNICEF, ILO, ETF, Helvetas, and others.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Legal & Regulatory Framework Specialist / Deputy Head to provide legal and policy expertise and act as the Deputy Head of the Youth Guarantee Expert Group.

The Specialist will lead the development and alignment of Ukraine’s youth employment legal framework with EU standards, ensuring compliance, policy coherence, and institutional sustainability. The position combines legal analysis, policy drafting, and coordination with ministries and partners to advance the national implementation of the Youth Guarantee.

Key Responsibilities

Policy & Legal Framework

• Draft and refine legislative and regulatory proposals related to youth employment, social services, and labour market integration, ensuring alignment with EU acquis.
• Support the harmonisation of Ukrainian youth employment and social policy legislation with European frameworks.
• Advise ministries and partners on legal reforms to institutionalise Youth Guarantee measures at national and regional levels.

Coordination & Institutional Strengthening

• Act as Deputy Head of the Youth Guarantee Expert Group, supporting leadership, supervision, and coordination of team activities.
• Facilitate structured cooperation among ministries, social partners, and international agencies (MoYS, MoEEA, SES, EC, ETF).
• Support capacity building of key institutions to strengthen their legal and regulatory functions related to youth employment.

Advisory & Compliance

• Provide high-level policy advice through evidence-based legal analysis.
• Develop tools for compliance monitoring, risk assessment, and reporting aligned with EU and Ukrainian standards.
• Ensure that legislative and institutional reforms promote inclusivity and accessibility for all youth, including NEETs and vulnerable groups.

Data & Monitoring

• Contribute to the design of monitoring systems that integrate legal and policy indicators for Youth Guarantee implementation.
• Translate findings from YGCT and partners into actionable recommendations for law-making and policy adjustment.

Profile and Qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in Law, International Relations, Legislation, or a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in legal or policy development, preferably within national or international projects.
• Proven experience drafting, reviewing, and implementing laws, regulations, or policy frameworks.
• Track record of providing legal or regulatory advice to government institutions or international organisations.
• Experience managing or supervising teams (Deputy Head or equivalent role).
• Familiarity with Ukraine’s employment, education, and social policy frameworks and EU alignment processes.

Skills and Competencies:

• In-depth understanding of national and European legal and regulatory systems.
• Strong analytical, drafting, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent coordination and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Experience in compliance monitoring and risk assessment.
• Strong communication and presentation skills in both Ukrainian and English.