Policy Advisor (Decentralization and Municipal Services)

Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is looking for a qualified professional for the project "U-LEAD with Europe: Ukraine - Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development Programme" to fill the position of the: 

Policy Advisor (Decentralization and Municipal Services) (full-time, Ivano-Frankivsk)

(internal SAP code: Decentralization Advisor)

In the last few years, Ukraine has developed and adopted various laws in favour of an ambitious decentralization reform, which reshapes the relations between the national, regional and local levels and builds institutional capacity. The success of the decentralization reform greatly depends on the coordination and cooperation between the different stakeholders involved into reform implementation at the national, regional and local levels. Given the important new tasks, responsibilities and financial resources that local self-governments have gained, the implementation of the reform must be accompanied by expert advice, trainings and diverse support measures. U-LEAD (Ukraine-Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development) is a special measure which is conducted as a multi-donor action by the EU and its member states Germany, Poland, Denmark and Slovenia to support the Ukrainian government in the implementation of the decentralization reform.

For our regional team in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast we are looking for an experienced and highly motivated policy advisor with an innovative mind-set, a strong team player with solid knowledge of decentralization and municipal management with the practical experience of supporting municipalities in the course of decentralization reform implementation.

Areas of responsibility: 

• Providing capacity development and consultative support to municipalities in the field of organization of local self-government work, human resources management, administrative services provision, other municipal management issues aimed at assisting them to efficiently perform tasks and carry out new responsibilities acquired in the course of reforms’ implementation.
• Contributing to policy analysis.
• Ensuring good communication and information flow with all stakeholders (political and implementation partners and within the GIZ team) and supporting them.
• Contributing to the planning, monitoring and evaluation processes at U-LEAD Regional Office.

Tasks:

The Policy Advisor:

• Provides consultations (online and offline) and capacity development measures for local self-government officials on the organization of healthcare, social and educational service, which includes but is not limited to the primary and secondary healthcare organization in small municipalities, development of public health system, mental health support, autonomy of schools, inclusive education, strategic development and project management in the respective fields, other relevant topics. 
• Participates in the internal working groups, contributing to the preparation and delivery of online training courses with inputs, materials, presentations on healthcare management, education management and related topics.
• Puts in and provides necessary information to responsible for the data entry into data monitoring system on all events within his/her responsibility as well as further necessary data (e.g., trainers, good practices, support to municipalities, etc.) according to the guidelines.
• Coordinates the organization of trainings and professional advice to municipalities with short-term experts according to GIZ values, standards and rules. Contributes to the quality assurance of the experts’ work.
• Collects and analyses municipalities’ feedback on challenges they face as well as their needs in terms of amending policy and legislation in the field of the Policy Advisor’s expertise.
• Participates and contributes to public discussions and policy dialogue events aimed at supporting reforms’ implementation, contributes to U-LEAD communication and visibility activities.
• Participates and contributes to the strategic and operational planning, monitoring and reporting of the U-LEAD Regional Office in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast.
• Provides short reports and pictures from the attended events on time upon request.
• Contributes to the overall knowledge and data management of the U-LEAD Regional Office in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast.
• Follows personal data protection rules during handling of participant lists and entry of personal data into U-DATA.
• Collects good practices and success stories, checks their progress over time and shares the information in the respective field for public awareness raising and communication purposes.
• Provides technical support to international and local experts during their field visits.
• Communicates regularly with local stakeholders.
• Communicates and cooperates effectively with the colleagues in the Regional Office, the U-LEAD team and other GIZ projects in Ukraine.
• Ensures discreet behaviour vis-a-vis third parties in all internal matters.
• Supports the implementation of other project activities and other assigned tasks.
• Communicates and reports regularly to the Head of Regional Office.

REQUIREMENTS TO THE CANDIDATES:

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in the field of economics, public administration, project management or other relevant fields.

Professional experience

• At least 2 years’ work experience in healthcare management, education management, municipal services, and/or in public service, with local self-government bodies or an NGO.
• Proven track record of training activity for local self-government bodies for the period of at least two years.

Other knowledge, additional competences

• Sound knowledge of healthcare management, education management, social services provision. 
• Knowledge of and experience in project management is an asset.
• Deep understanding of the specific set-up, its actors and political environment of Ivano-Frankivsk oblast.
• Knowledge and experience of capacity building of adults is an asset.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Team player with excellent communication skills, including public outreach.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• High degree of self-organization.
• Very good Ukrainian language skills. English or/and German is an asset.
• Good computer skills (MS Office Suite, Excel, PowerPoint etc.).

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 assignment starts as soon as possible. The end of the contract – 30.04.2025. Place of assignment is Ivano-Frankivsk city.

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 Отправить резюме until COB 04 November 2024, Monday.

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.