Вакансія: Senior Еxpert: Publiс Investment Management (Category 1)

1. Objective(s) and Linkages to Reforms

The Recovery and Reform Support Team (RST) at the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine (MDCT or Ministry) is a group of Ukrainian professionals (non-civil servants) funded on a temporary basis through the Ukraine Recovery and Reform Architecture (URA)[1] programme that provides targeted technical support and assists the Ministry in the design and implementation of priority reforms. The RST assists in filling capacity gaps in the design and implementation of priority reform strategies and programmes, while strengthening links and partnerships between the Ministry`s priorities and relevant donor support.

Priority areas for the RST at the Ministry are: 

• Transport Infrastructure;
• Municipal Infrastructure;
• Regional Development and Decentralisation;
• Digitalisation;
• Public Administration Reform and Capacity Building;
• Public Investment Management. 

Action plan for the implementation of the Roadmap for Public Investment Management (PIM) Reform for 2024-2028 (Action Plan) includes 72 tasks to be developed and implemented as part of the 2024-2028 Roadmap for Reforming the Public Investment Management System (PIM Roadmap).

The Ministry is the main implementer of the following tasks of the Action Plan: 

• developing a draft legal act to amend the Procedure for the development of regional strategies and action plans for their implementation, as well as monitoring the implementation of these strategies and action plans in terms of implementing new approaches to public investment management;
• amendments to the Methodological recommendations on the procedure for developing, approving, implementing, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of territorial community development strategies in terms of implementing new approaches to public investment management;
• ensure that regional development strategies and community development strategies are updated to comply with new approaches to public investment management;
• ensure training and professional development of specialists directly interacting with the Unified Digital Integrated Information and Analytical System for the Management of the Reconstruction of Real Estate, Construction and Infrastructure (DREAM ecosystem). 

The Ministry is one of the main implementers of the Action Plan. The tasks of implementing the Action Plan of the Ministry include: 

• ensuring that Public Investment Projects is included in the DREAM ecosystem;
• updating sectoral Public Investment Projects portfolios in line with sectoral strategic priorities of the Ministry;
• updating the unified Public Investment Projects portfolio in the field of transport and transport infrastructure, housing policy, housing and utilities and energy efficiency;
• ensuring the development of screening and prioritisation processes for Public Investment Projects in accordance with the unified legal requirements;
• coordination and monitoring of the implementation of Public Investment Projects in the field of transport and transport infrastructure, housing policy, housing and utilities and energy efficiency. 

The RST is seeking a Senior Expert to assist the RST Senior Project Manager on PIM in supporting the implementation of PIM Reform, monitoring and controlling media coverage of PIM reforms, supporting and communicating with all relevant stakeholders, DREAM team, including local authority representatives, and coordinating with the other ministries, mainly the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy. 

2. Position and Reporting Line 

The Senior Expert on PIM will be a full-time consultant at the RST and primarily cooperate with the Ministry’s Investment Department and the MDCT Press Office.

A highly qualified professional will support the process of coordination and implementation of PIM Reform and will be responsible for monitoring, planning, and managing communication strategies to increase PIM Reform and Public Investment Projects awareness and support with graphic design and the creation of promotional materials.

The Senior Expert will be subordinated to the RST Senior Project Manager on PIM and will work in close cooperation with the RST Project Manager on Communications and SMM and MDCT Deputy Minister responsible for the PIM Reform.

3. Duration of the Assignment

The consultancy appointment is expected to start in May 2025. Duration of the assignment is subject to the availability of project funding, the consultant’s performance, and the specific requirements of the RST.

4. Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Expert is expected to: 

• support the identification, collection, and analysis of relevant data and information;
• participation in the training and professional development of specialists who directly interact with the Unified Digital Integrated Information and Analytical System for the Management of Reconstruction of Real Estate, Construction and Infrastructure (DREAM ecosystem);
• organising and participating in information and analytical meetings and workshops with representatives of local communities, local governments, and national associations of local governments on issues related to the development, evaluation, prioritisation, and implementation of medium-term plans for priority public investments in the regions;
• communication with representatives of territorial communities, local authority, national associations of local authority on PIM Reform issues;
• coordinate public events (workshops, informational sessions, seminars, conferences, round tables) to report on PIM Reform progress, ensuring effective communication with the auditory;
• assist the Ministry in organising public events (workshops, informational sessions, seminars, conferences, round tables) on PIM Reform;
• develop, implement and manage social media and web content strategy: formulate and execute PIM Reform comprehensive strategy for social media and web content for the Ministry, if required;
• media coverage on Priority Reforms on PIM and create communication materials related to PIM Reform, such as press releases, information sheets, and opinion editorials;
• prepare slides for presentations and/or information for infographics;
• assist in drafting and submitting reports and analytical materials on the progress of PIM Reform progress to stakeholders and donors;
• perform other responsibilities as assigned by the RST Senior Project Manager on PIM and/or the RST

 The Senior Expert is expected to provide the following deliverables: 

• public events (workshops, informational sessions, seminars, conferences, round tables) to report on PIM Reform progress, ensuring effective communication with the auditory;
• documentation from public events summarizing discussions and key outcomes;
• training sessions and materials for specialists working with the DREAM ecosystem;
• regular progress updates on PIM Reform for territorial communities, local authorities, and national associations of local governments; work plans and other key documents for PIM reforms’ implementation and monitoring;
• media coverage of priority PIM reforms and development of communication materials related to PIM Reform, such as press releases, newsletters and editorials;
• presentation materials and infographics for PIM Reform communication;
• comprehensive reports on PIM Reform progress submitted to stakeholders and donors. 

The specified lists of the scope of work, services and expected deliverables can be modified and supplemented on request from the Ministry and in agreement with the EBRD and the EU Delegation to Ukraine. 

5. Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

5.1 Qualifications and Skills: 

• Master’s degree in Communications, Management, Business Administration, Public Administration or other relevant field;
• experience working in the public administration, potentially also at regional level;
• experience in working in/with EU programmes/projects;
• strong analytical and organisational skills;
• strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to interpret complex information clearly and effectively;
• PC literacy in Microsoft software (PowerPoint, Project, Excel, Word), Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Docs);
• fluency in Ukrainian and English. 

5.2 Professional Experience: 

• Minimum 7 years of general professional experience;
• at least 5 years of experience in public sector. 

5.3 Other Competencies: 

• Proven knowledge and professional experience in public investment management is a plus;
• experience in data management – understanding of basic principles of reputational and communication research;
• experience with government entities and their mandate and processes is an asset;
• familiarity with Ukraine’s current reform agenda, good understanding of policy formulation processes and policy dialogues. 

6. Funding Source

The funding source of this assignment is the EBRD Ukraine Stabilisation and Sustainable Growth Multi-Donor Account (MDA). Contributors to the MDA are Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

Please note, selection and contracting will be subject to the availability of funding.

7. Submissions

Submissions must be prepared in English only and be delivered electronically by April 16, 2025, 23:59 (Kyiv time) to [email protected]

All submissions must include:

• a completed Application Form;
• the candidate’s Curriculum Vitae;
• NDA form;
• contact details of three referees who, if contacted, can attest to the professional and/or educational background of the candidate. 

Important notice: only Ukrainian nationals are eligible to apply; civil servants are not eligible to apply unless 6 months have elapsed since they left such employment.

Only applications, which have been submitted using the correct template and are fully completed, will be considered.

8. Selection Procedure

Following the evaluation of all applications received, selected candidates may be invited to the written tests. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to the interview.

[1] Ukraine Recovery and Reform Architecture (URA) is a comprehensive technical assistance programme deployed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the European Union, to support critical recovery and reform processes in Ukraine. URA is financed from the Ukraine Stabilisation and Sustainable Growth Multi-Donor Account (MDA) managed by the EBRD.