Вакансія: Senior Project Manager: 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 (PIM). 

Action plan for the implementation of the Roadmap for Public Investment Management 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 tasks of implementing the Action Plan, in which the Ministry participates together with other responsible executive authorities, 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;
• сoordination 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 Project Manager (SPM) to support and assist the Ministry in the assessment, prioritisation and implementation of Public Investment Projects, ensure the development, screening and prioritisation of Public Investment Projects, update the single project pipeline of Public Investment Projects in the field of transport and transport infrastructure, housing policy, housing and utilities and energy efficiency, legislation development related to PIM, ensuring that strategic planning documents are kept up to date for regional development in terms of introducing new approaches to PIM, monitor and control the implementation of the PIM Roadmap, and coordinate 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 Project Manager on PIM will be a full-time consultant at the RST.

The SPM will be subordinated to the RST Director and work in close cooperation with the MDCT First Deputy Ministry 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 Project Manager is expected to: 

• facilitate the realisation of the MDCT’s role in the development and implementation of the PIM Reform agenda in alignment with the PIM Roadmap for Reforming The Public Investment Management System and Action Plan;
• analyse and evaluate existing PIM Reform legislation, including with regard to its alignment with EU accession requirements, providing detailed comments, recommendations, and proposals for its improvement;
• assist in drafting laws, bylaws, and supporting documents to enable effective implementation of the PIM Reform;
• assist and participate in updating sectoral portfolios of Public Investment Projects in line with the Ministry’s sectoral strategic priorities and the methodological procedures developed as part of the PIM Reform;
• support the MDCT in contributing to identification, selection, and prioritisation of Public Investment Projects to ensure they align with PIM Reform objectives;
• assist the MDCT in fulfilling its role in the process of updating the Single Project Pipeline (SPP) of Public Investment Projects;
• provide ongoing guidance and support throughout the PIM process;
• support in implementing Public Investment Projects to ensure successful implementation;
• processing and reviewing requests and concepts for the preparation of Public Investment Projects that are under the MDCT management;
• support for the MDCT in assessing and prioritising medium-term plans for priority public investments in regions (territorial communities), which includes representatives of national associations of local governments;
• support and assistance to the MDCT in compiling a list of new and ongoing Public Investment Projects and public investment programmes;
• support consultations with relevant stakeholders on the development of Public Investment Projects concepts;
• сcoordination with the DREAM team on the work on the PIM process;
• communication with representatives of territorial communities, local authority, national associations of local authority on PIM issues;
• draft and submit reports and analytical materials on the progress and outcomes of the PIM and Public Investment Projects initiatives for stakeholders and donors;
• regularly liaise with EU experts and international financial institutions regarding PIM and Public Investment Projects-related matters;
• contribute to the identification, collection, and analysis of relevant data and information to support PIM and Public Investment Projects activities;
• assist in the design, preparation, and coordination of strategic frameworks to support the implementation of the PIM and Public Investment Projects and related policies;
• perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned by the RST Director. 

The Senior Project Manager is expected to provide the following deliverables: 

• PIM Reform implementation reports aligned with the PIM Roadmap and Action Plan;
• legislative analysis and improvement proposals, including EU accession alignment;
• updated sectoral portfolios and prioritized Public Investment Projects in transport and municipal infrastructure;
• reviewed concepts of the Public Investment Projects under MDCT management;
• implementation support and monitoring reports for PIM Reform;
• regional investment assessment reports on medium-term priorities;
• coordination with the DREAM team to integrate PIM processes;
• strategic frameworks and coordination plans for PIM and Public Investment Projects;
• reports on RST progress, challenges and achievements. 

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 in Finance, Economics, Law, Business Administration, Project Management or other relevant field;
• good understanding of Public Investment Management Reform in Ukraine and relevant regulations/legislation;
• experience in high-level negotiations, strong communication and presentation skills;
• experience working in the public administration, potentially also at regional level;
• experience in working in/with EU programmes/projects;
• strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex legal, commercial and financial information;
• proven ability to lead a team of experts, in donor-funded projects, business or public organisations;
• impeccable ethical standards, and outstanding leadership skills;
• PC literacy in Microsoft software (PowerPoint, Project, Excel, Word; Visio is an asset), 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 with investment projects, strategic planning or policy analysis, public sector;
• experience in project management, public or business administration, business consulting is an advantage. 

5.3 Other Competencies: 

• Proven knowledge of Ukrainian and EU legislation related to public investment management;
• proven knowledge and professional experience in public investment management is a plus;
• experience with government entities and their mandate and processes is an asset;
• familiarity with Ukraine’s current reform agenda and 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] The Ukraine Recovery and Reform Architecture 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 implemented with the financial assistance of the EBRD-Ukraine Stabilisation and Sustainable Growth Multi-Donor Account (MDA).