Senior Project Manager: Utilities до Команди підтримки відновлення та реформ при Міністерстві розвитку громад, територій та інфраструктури України

Senior Project Manager: Utilities

1. Objective(s) and Linkages to Reforms

The Recovery and Reform Support Team (RST) at the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (MCTID 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 will assist 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 for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine will be: 

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

Utilities Sector Reform is one of the priorities of the Government of Ukraine and the MCTID, aiming to build a transparent system that aligns Ukraine with international standards. The reform covers almost all population of Ukraine and targets the objectives aimed at:

• Formation of a competitive market in the utilities sector;
• Creating conditions for the uninterrupted and profitable operation of utilities;
• Implementing the provisions of European legislation and fulfilling the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in the areas of heat, water supply and sewage, and waste management;
• Strengthening the resistance of critical infrastructure;
• Development of a legal and regulatory framework for combined heat and power (CHP) implementation and private sector investments;
• Integration of renewables and alternative heat sources, waste heat for heating;
• Implementation of the Law of Ukraine “On Sewage and Wastewater Treatment”;
• Improvement of tariff setting for utilities;
• Creating conditions for the uninterrupted and profitable operation of utilities;
• Stimulation of investment activity in housing and utilities;
• Ensuring the quality of drinking water following regulatory requirements;
• Improvement of legislative regulation of household waste management in settlements.

2. Position and Reporting Line

A Senior Project Manager on Utilities will work in close cooperation with the MCTID Deputy Minister responsible for the reform. A highly qualified professional is needed to draft, supervise and support the necessary products (documents) related to Utilities Sector Reform.

The Senior Project Manager on Utilities will be subordinated to the RST Director and the RST Deputy Director on Municipal Infrastructure.

3. Duration of the Assignment

This consultancy appointment is expected to start in October 2024 and has an estimated duration till August 2025. Subject to the availability of funding, performance of the selected consultant and the specific needs of the RST, this appointment may be extended.

4. Main Duties and Responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities: 

• Preparation of priority work plans and reporting documents; allocation of responsibilities, resource planning and coordination support within the team;
• collect, elaborate and submit all relevant documents and materials (e.g. plans, reports, analyses and proposals) needed for the activities of all relevant technical aid projects and expert missions;
• support the identification, collection, collation and analysis of relevant data and information;
• design, preparation and coordination of strategic framework implementation in the area of utilities;
• development policies, legislation and policy measures in utilities;
• ensure implementation of the regulation developed under the utilities sector, including but not limited to the laws, concepts, programs, and secondary legislation;
• project management support (development of project/reform implementation plan, risk management, change management, etc.);
• provide regular progress reports to RST Director, MCTID and other stakeholders;
• ensure visibility of the reform development and implementation;
• other responsibilities as assigned by the RST Director.

Main anticipated deliverables: 

• Development of analytical materials on estimating the implementation of EU legislation;
• development of proposals for further steps on the implementation of EU legislation;
• development of recommendations for strengthening the resistance of critical infrastructure;
• development of proposals on legislation changes and policy measures in the utilities sector;
• development of analytical and info materials concerning regulation in the utilities sector;
• analysis of best international practice for Utilities Sector Reform;
• participation in events on the subject of the utilities sector;
• regular progress reports on the reform development and implementation.

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: 

• At least a Master’s degree (or equivalent of a post-graduate degree) in Civil Engineering, Management, Finance, Economics, Law or Business Administration;
• good understanding of Utilities Sector Reform in Ukraine and relevant regulations/legislation;
• strong analytical, communication and presentation skills;
• impeccable ethical standards, and outstanding leadership skills;
• PC literacy in Microsoft software (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Project), Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Docs);
• fluency in Ukrainian and English.

5.2. Professional Experience: 

• More than 7 years of general professional experience;
• preferably 5 years of experience in utilities and/or social policy, public sector consulting or related areas.

5.3. Other Competencies:  

• Proven knowledge and professional experience in utilities;
• proven knowledge of Ukrainian legislation on utilities;
• familiarity with current Ukraine’s reform agenda, good understanding of policy formulation processes and policy dialogues;
• experience with government entities and their mandate and processes is an asset.

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, the largest donor.

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 October 03, 2024, 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.