Вакансія: Policy Advisor

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in Ukraine is looking for a qualified professional for the project “Just and Green Urban Recovery Accelerator (GURA)” to fill the position of the:

Policy Advisor (full-time, Kyiv)

(internal SAP code: Urban and Regional Development Advisor)

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the project “Just and Green Urban Recovery Accelerator” (hereinafter – the Project) represents a strategic response to Ukraine’s urban challenges while fostering long-term sustainable development. By aligning with EU policies, international good practices, and national priorities, the initiative strengthens Ukraine’s urban governance, enhances climate resilience, and promotes inclusive growth in cities. With targeted interventions in capacity building, policy reform, and integrated planning, the Project contributes directly to Ukraine’s recovery and European integration aspirations.

The Project goal is to improve the requirements for the implementation of socially equitable, climate-friendly, resilient urban reconstruction and revitalization in accordance with the principles of the New Leipzig Charter and the New European Bauhaus (NEB) considering the EU accession agenda of Ukraine.

This shall be achieved with the help of evidence-based “model projects” for integrated urban reconstruction and recovery, which will be developed in selected partner cities as part of the “Urban Living Lab” approach. These model projects encompass both spatial planning and implementation-oriented elements (demo projects). With their exemplary and forward-thinking solutions, the projects will provide good practices for scaling-up as well as lessons learnt to inform Ukraine’s urban recovery and reconstruction framework considering the EU accession requirements. 

Main activities:

• Targeted professional policy advisory support to the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine (MinDevelopment) to facilitate the development and refinement of national policy instruments and frameworks that promote socially equitable, climate-friendly, and resilient urban reconstruction and revitalization in Ukraine.
• Strategic expert advice and support to align national policy instruments and frameworks with the principles of the New Leipzig Charter (NLC) and the New European Bauhaus by considering the EU accession requirements of Ukraine.
• Advice and support in establishing and strengthening strategic partnerships and networks with Ukrainian and international stakeholders in the field of just and green urban reconstruction and rehabilitation in order to share good practices and lessons learned as well as to provide access to relevant knowledge for the Project’s political partner in the context of EU accession.
• Facilitation and organization of multi-level dialogues between the national and local level in Ukraine to develop lessons learned from the development and implementation of demonstration projects in the Project’s partner cities relevant for the national reconstruction framework of Ukraine
• Close coordination and support to the Project’s activities in the selected partner cities to implement the urban living lab approach and develop demonstrations projects in line with the Project’s main objectives.
• Close coordination and cooperation with other projects in the GIZ Ukraine portfolio and beyond to build synergies.
• Advice and support to the project management to achieve the Project’s main objectives.

Required qualifications, experience and competences:

• University degree in one or several relevant specializations in urban planning (architecture), geography, climate studies, good governance or in related fields.
• At least four years of professional experience in minimum one of the following fields: spatial and urban planning and regional development, architecture and urban design, development cooperation.
• Profound and proven knowledge and expertise in the national regulatory framework in Ukraine in the fields of urban and regional development; decentralization reform and the current reconstruction and recovery architecture in Ukraine.
• Proven experience in providing policy advice and working with Ukrainian ministries and other national, regional or local government entities.
• Very good understanding of important stakeholders and political developments at national and international level in the field of green recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine with a focus on the urban and regional dimension.
• Knowledge about EU accession requirements, instruments, and support programmes in the field of green and integrated urban development and recovery.
• Knowledge and expertise in integrated urban development instruments and approaches to integrated neighborhood development / functional urban area.
• Knowledge about the principles of the New European Bauhaus and / or the New Leipzig Charta is a strong advantage.
• Additional knowledge and/or professional experience on one or more of the following fields would be a benefit: housing policy in Ukraine; Ukrainian climate policy, post conflict and disaster urban recovery.
• Strong interest in broadening one’s knowledge, expertise and network on the abovementioned topics.
• High competencies of communication and appropriate interaction with political and implementing partners.
• Problem-solving, diligence and responsible working style.
• Strong team player, flexibility and ability to work in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• High level of integrity and willingness to take up responsibility.
• Very good user knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 ecosystem.
• Fluent in the Ukrainian and English language in verbal and written form.

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

The assignment starts as of April 2025. It’s a full-time position with 40 hours working week. Contract duration until 31.01.2028.

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 COB May 7, 2025, Wednesday.

By sending the application the candidate gives the consent for the personal data processing for recruitment processes solely. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stages of the recruitment process.