Вакансія: Urban and Regional Development Specialist

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Ukraine is seeking qualified professional for the program “Stregthening of Urban Resilience in the Areas of Supply Infrastructure and Housing” in its office in Kyiv to fill the position of the:

Urban and Regional Development Specialist (full-time, Odesa)

(internal SAP code: Urban and Regional Development Specialist)

The program “Stregthening of Urban Resilience in the Areas of Supply Infrastructure and Housing” (SUR), initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is dedicated to rebuilding essential urban infrastructure in Ukraine’s war-affected regions.

The program’s primary objectives include the reconstruction of basic infrastructure, enhancing digital and planning competencies in local administrations for efficient damage assessment and infrastructure planning, and implementing disaster risk management strategies to bolster resilience against current and future crises. Measures of the program focus on restoring critical services such as drinking water, electricity, heating, and housing in cities severely impacted by the conflict.

In alignment with the EU’s 2030 urban, climate, and energy policies, the SUR program contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all (SDG 7), building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation (SDG 9), and making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable (SDG 11). It works in synergy with other GIZ initiatives like ISU II, U-LEAD, and FEER to enhance urban resilience and essential services across Ukrainian municipalities.

Core task:
The project is implemented through two components: one focusing on advising municipalities and partner institutions (Component 1), and the other leading construction activities (Component 2). The Heads of Components work together with the Program Director and project management team in Germany.

The implementation of project components is facilitated through Regional Liaison Offices strategically positioned in Poltava, Zaporizhzia, and Odessa, targeting regions in Ukraine that have been notably impacted by the war. Each Regional Liaison Office is under the guidance of a dedicated Regional Specialist to ensure effective coordination and execution of activities on the ground.

Component 1 benefits from the support of an Advisory Unit and an Administrative Unit, both situated within the Main Office located in Kyiv. This centralized hub provides essential resources and expertise to aid in advisory and administrative functions critical to the success of initiatives carried out by the Regional Specialist in the three regions.

Component 2 is equipped with Construction Engineers and an Administrative Specialist, also stationed in Kyiv, to manage and oversee construction-related activities. Additionally, a Back Office in Lviv serves as a contingency resource, accessible during emergencies and for maintaining business continuity, enhancing the project’s resilience to unforeseen challenges.

The Regional Specialist core task is to coordinate all activities of the SUR project with partners (e.g. municipal administrations, civil society) in the southern region of Ukraine from the Liaison Office in Odessa and support Component 1 in the implementation of activities and measures in selected partner cities of the region.

Main areas of activity:

The Regional Specialist in Odesa plays a pivotal role in coordinating cooperation with Ukrainian cities in the Southern Liaison office and serves as an integral member of the SUR component 1 team. The key responsibilities encompass:

• Supporting cooperation, regular contact and dialogue with partners and cooperates with partner municipalities, relevant organizations and individuals.
• Coordinating measures at partner municipalities on elaboration, implementation and evaluation of SUR program activities.
• Providing advisory services to urban recipients and beneficiary of SUR program, cooperating with a broad range of stakeholders and target groups, including Ukrainian and European municipalities and associations, international technical assistance projects and programmes, IFI-s, universities, and civil society, etc.
• Contributing to measures in partner municipalities to identify, structure and prepare needed advisory, infrastructure and housing projects on the context of rehabilitation and modernization.
• Contributing in identifying additional partner cities and local beneficiaries based e.g. on needs assessments, recipients interests, opportunities for cooperation, other donor activities.
• Advising the Project Director and Head of Components on a regular basis regarding the ongoing activities in the region of the Odessa Liaison Office.
• Proactively reporting and communicating on local initiatives and efforts on the partners’ side.
• Preparing and submitting suggestions for annual operational Project planning; examining and advising on activities proposed by implementation partners.
• Coordinating the involvement of external consultants, including identification of partner demands, preparation of terms of reference, supervision of consultants’ activities, examination and storage of produced technical reports.
• Supporting the development and implementation of grant agreements with financing partners, including identification of urban partner demands, supporting eligibility assessment, supervision of delivered services and product.
• Contributing to financial management of activities in the SUR program (maintenance of the onSITE Operation System for planning and contract management of project activities).

Required qualifications:

The ideal candidate for the Regional Specialist in Odesa Position possesses the following qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Urban Development/Planning, Political Sciences, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Economics, Sociology or related fields.
• At least three years of professional experience in one or several fields: urban development, public policy and administration, development cooperation, or in related field.
• Profound knowledge of the national regulatory framework in Ukraine in the fields of local self-governance, urban and regional development and/or territorial planning.
• Ability to think strategically and align project activities with broader program objectives.
• Excellent communication and management skills, with a proven ability to communicate clearly towards various actors and effectively engage with stakeholders. Fluency in English is required. Fluency in German is a plus.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and adaptability, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural environments and navigate cross-cultural dynamics.
• Very good user knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 ecosystem.
• Diligence and responsible working style.
• High competencies of communication and interaction.
• Willingness to take responsibility.

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 place of assignment is Odesa. The contract duration is until 31.12.2026. Starting as soon as possible.

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 [email protected] until July 19, 2024, Friday.

By sending the application the candidate gives the consent for the personal data processing for recruitment processes solely.