Senior Strategic Lead on Parliamentary Reform for the USAID/ RADA Next Generation (RANG) Activity at Internews Ukraine

ISSUANCE DATE: October 22, 2024

CLOSING DATE/TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: November 22, 2024 (11:59 p.m.)

POSITION TITLE: Senior Strategic Lead on Parliamentary Reform.

MARKET VALUE: Final compensation negotiated and commensurate with relevant USAID implementing partners in Ukraine.                

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: Through the end of the existing program in September 2026. Subject to USAID Key Personnel Approval requirements.              

Purpose

Internews Ukraine is seeking a Senior Strategic Lead on Parliamentary Reform for the USAID/ RADA Next Generation (RANG) Activity. The priority objective of the Activity is to support the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (VRU) on war-related activities, preparations for peace and the post-war environment. RANG supports the VRU in identifying the most critical challenges and enabling the VRU to become a modern, effective institution that promotes accountability and democratic development in Ukraine. This will be achieved by addressing challenges in the VRU’s legislative processes, while concurrently identifying and taking advantage of opportunities where the VRU can improve as an effective, democratic institution. The role also includes providing advice on strategic cohesion of the activities of RANG.

Specifically, the Senior Strategic Lead on Parliamentary Reform will focus on driving comprehensive parliamentary reforms, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and building institutional capacity to improve the legislative process and governance in Ukraine. For example, initiatives may include improving the quality of draft law scrutiny and impact assessments, strengthening parliamentary oversight, and implementing digital tools to enhance transparency and public participation in the legislative process. Additionally, the role will involve fostering collaboration between the Verkhovna Rada and civil society to ensure that reforms are aligned with EU standards and effectively address the needs of citizens. In consultation with the VRU and other key stakeholders, USAID and Internews Ukraine will identify and prioritize critical and potentially transformational draft legislation, reforms and processes to strengthen and solidify the VRU as Ukraine's primary democratic institution during this unique window of opportunity. The Senior Strategic Lead on Parliamentary Reform plays a crucial role in enhancing the functionality and effectiveness of parliamentary processes in Ukraine.

 Background

RANG will focus on an integrated two-factor approach that simultaneously facilitates continuity and stability within the VRU and builds on past RADA successes and achievements through innovation to strengthen the institution within the Ukrainian democratic framework. Ensuring sustainability of current and previous parliamentary strengthening activity initiatives and VRU buy-in and support will also be primary considerations and central objectives throughout the implementation of RANG. More information about Internews Ukraine, a Ukrainian registered NGO, and the RANG program can be found on our website: https://internews.ua/rang

The successful candidate is an experienced communicator with demonstrated senior-level management experience in parliamentary strengthening and/or governance programs.

Key Duties / Responsibilities

• Formulate comprehensive strategies for parliamentary reform that align with USAID objectives, ensuring they are evidence-based and effectively communicated to all stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Members of Parliament (MPs), government officials, civil society organizations, and international partners to gather insights and build support for reform initiatives.
• Lead the establishment of governance frameworks that ensure compliance with legal standards and best practices in parliamentary operations.
• Provide strategic advice on identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with parliamentary reforms.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of reform projects to ensure they meet established objectives and deliver expected outcomes.
• Implement systems to measure the effectiveness of reform initiatives, making adjustments based on feedback and performance data.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on parliamentary processes, providing strategic advice to senior leadership on legislative issues and reform strategies.
• Facilitate training programs for parliamentary staff to enhance their skills related to new processes or reforms.
• Regularly update USAID and other stakeholders on the progress of reform initiatives, highlighting successes, challenges, and areas for improvement
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the parliamentary environment by encouraging innovative thinking and responsiveness to change.
• Actively engage with MPs to understand their perspectives on proposed reforms, ensuring their concerns are integrated into the reform process.
• Monitors, analyzes and interprets legislation and activities, and provides advice on the implications and opportunities for the program.
• Advises and leads, in coordination with the GR-Adviser, in the writing of briefing notes, presentations and reports for organizational leadership in advance of meetings with government officials, USAID and other key stakeholders.
• Evaluate emerging and longer-term opportunities and threats to the achievement of the program objectives and the critical success factors for the program as they relate to government.
• The role also includes providing advice on strategic cohesion of the activities of RANG.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Fluent spoken and written English. Ukrainian language preferred, but not required.
• BA (or equivalent) or a higher degree in a relevant discipline. Masters degree preferred. 
• At least 15 years of relevant senior-level work experience. Direct supervisory experience of 10+ staff and management of multi-million dollar budgets.
• Direct experience of parliamentary reform and EU-negotiations respectively would be an advantage.
• Previous experience working on USAID programming. Experience working with other donors preferred.
• Proven strategic vision and strategic approach experience.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, including public speaking and working with the media.
• Advanced MS Word, PowerPoint and Outlook user.
• Experience in technical writing and demonstrated ability to develop complex concepts into easily digestible communication materials.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience   

• Excellent critical thinking and analytical skills to enable assessment of complex issues of concern to stakeholders. The ability to quickly assimilate information, analyze data and be able to provide strategic advice, guidance and decisions on behalf of the program.
• Highly developed people management, relationship building and leadership skills with the demonstrated ability to develop and support a professional, service and continuous improvement-focused workplace culture.
• Collaborative team player comfortable leading as well as executing and taking constructive input from multiple sources.
• Ability to handle complex multiple assignments at the same time and with competing demands and deadlines while maintaining a calm demeanor is essential.
• Advanced mediation, communication and relationship management skills including an ability to influence, negotiate and build productive working relationships with key stakeholders, senior VRU staff and external partners, including government, are essential to achieve the required outcomes.
• The ability to make difficult and complex decisions with good judgment and acute sensitivity to the political environment and to the reputation of the organization. The highest ethical standards, tact and diplomacy are essential.
• The ability to think and act strategically, creatively and dynamically in a high-pressure work environment. Must be confident, organized and an accomplished problem solver.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills including the ability to write and edit quickly, accurately and creatively. Must be confident with public speaking.
• Ability to write communications, adapt to varying management styles and to be proactive in anticipating the needs of interlocutors and donor.   

For consideration, please email your resume/CV, cover letter and salary requirements via email ( Отправить резюме ) using the subject line: Senior Strategic Lead on Parliamentary Reform. The combined resume/CV and cover letter should not exceed five pages and be submitted in English.      

Internews Ukraine welcomes and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and employees. Internews Ukraine makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to any grounds such as age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, etc. The position is open to all Nationalities.

Internews Ukraine is one of the largest non-governmental organizations working in the field of media and communications in Ukraine. Innovation, professionalism, and efficiency are three pillars of our organization. Serving the Ukrainian society has been our enduring priority since 1996.