Вакансія: Decentralization and Policy Reform Lead

About DAI

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world. DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.  DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner. DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is seeking highly qualified candidates to occupy full-time Decentralization and Policy Reform Lead position in Kyiv HOVERLA project office in Ukraine to join USAID Governance and Local Accountability (HOVERLA) Activity’s team. Interested candidates should submit their application through the following portal:

https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/yhwh62wp54/index

Applications will be accepted until 07 May 2024. Due to a high volume of applications received, we are unable to contact each applicant individually regarding the status of their application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted in response to this job advertisement.

Project Background

DAI Global is implementing the USAID-funded Governance and Local Accountability (HOVERLA) Activity, based in Kyiv, Ukraine. This project is designed to support Ukraine advance self-reliant local governance including legislative reforms, participatory strategic planning methodologies, service improvement, local economic development, civil society engagement, and capacity building of sub-national government entities.  The Activity has three objectives:

• Objective 1: Ukraine’s system of local self-governance is increasingly institutionalized and effective
• Objective 2: More self-reliant subnational governance
• Objective 3: Citizens play an increasingly influential role in local governance processes

Role purpose

The Decentralization and Policy Reform Lead manages and provides technical leadership to all HOVERLA Objective 1 activities. S/he plays a key role in supporting GoU national-level counterparts and assures provision of high quality HOVERLA technical expertise to implementation of decentralization policy.

Reporting

The Local Governance Lead will report to the Deputy Chief of Party.

Responsibilities & Duties:  

The Decentralization and Policy Reform Lead will be responsible for the following:

• Lead, coordinate and supervise all Objective 1 team members.
• Lead HOVERLA Objective 1 to support the VRU LG Committee, the MOR and other government agencies as well as associations of local self-government on developing the legislation in the sphere of decentralization reforms.
• Foster productive working relationships with key GOU and other stakeholders to advance the decentralization agenda, help expand HOVERLA’s interventions throughout Ukraine, and assure achievement of HOVERLA results.
• Lead the development and implementation of HOVERLA Work Plans under Objective 1 and other strategic documents.
• Assure coordinated and effective use of grants, direct technical assistance, STTAs and other implementation mechanisms for achievement of Objective 1 sub-objectives and performance indicators targets.
• Assure HOVERLA oversight and reporting on ongoing legislative advancements related to decentralization reform and the institutionalization of LG in VRU, MOR, and other relevant bodies.
• Support efforts to identify critical trends and challenges for decentralization and local governance.
• Assure quality technical support, advisory services, and contextual information to HOVERLA, VRU LG Committee, the MOR and other stakeholders on a full range of legal and legislative issues surrounding local governance and decentralization.
• Support empowerment of local government associations in becoming more effective stakeholders in decentralization reform.
• Assures quality and timely reporting on Objective 1 activities, including weekly, quarterly, annual and ad hoc communications and reports.
• Coordinate with HOVERLA Objective 2 to assure appropriate harmonization of HOVERLA legislative efforts at the national and sub-national levels.
• Coordinate with Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to assure that Objective 1 activities are properly integrated within HOVERLA strategic framework and supporting achievement of objectives and planned performance indicators’ targets.
• Other duties as assigned by DCOP.

Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience working on international development governance programs or with government institutions. Experience on USAID-funded projects strongly preferred.
• Master’s degree or higher in relevant field of study, such as Law, Public Policy, Public Administration.
• Knowledge and understanding of law-making process, public administration, and decentralization in Ukraine.
• Knowledge and understanding of the demand and supply sides of local governance interventions.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, ability to influence and persuade others, generate enthusiasm and excitement and talent to articulate and convey complex concepts and ideas in simple terms.
• An energetic, forward-thinking, and creative individual with high ethical standards and appropriate professional image.
• Managerial prowess to guide activity design and collaboration among technical teams.
• Professional-level fluency in Ukrainian and English is required.