Policy Advisor (Municipal Management and Finance)

Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is seeking for the programme “U-LEAD with Europe: Ukraine – Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development Programme” a qualified staff member to fill the position of a: 

 Policy Advisor (Municipal Management and Finance) (full-time, Chernihiv)

(internal SAP code: Decentralization Advisor)

In the last few years, Ukraine has developed and adopted various laws in favour of an ambitious decentralization reform, which reshapes the relations between the national, regional and local levels and builds institutional capacity. The success of the decentralization reform greatly depends on the coordination and cooperation between different stakeholders involved into reform implementation at the national, regional and local levels. Given the important new tasks, responsibilities and financial resources that local self-governments have gained, the implementation of the reform must be accompanied by expert advice, trainings and diverse support measures. U-LEAD (Ukraine – Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development) is a special measure which is conducted as a multi-donor action by the EU and its member states Germany, Estonia, Sweden, Denmark, Poland and Slovenia to support the Ukrainian government in the implementation of the decentralization reform.

For our regional team in Chernihiv oblast we are looking for an experienced and highly motivated policy advisor with an innovative mind-set, a strong team player with solid knowledge of decentralization and economical/financial aspects of local self-government with the practical experience of supporting municipalities in the course of decentralization reform implementation.

Areas of responsibility: 

• Providing capacity development and consultative support to municipalities in the field of municipal management aimed at assisting them to efficiently perform tasks and carry out new responsibilities acquired in the course of reforms’ implementation.
• Contributing to policy analysis.
• Ensuring good communication and information flow with all stakeholders (political and implementation partners and within the GIZ team) and supporting them.
• Contributing to the planning, monitoring and evaluation processes at U-LEAD Regional Office.

Tasks: 

The Policy Advisor:

• Provides consultations (online and offline) and capacity development measures for local self-government officials on municipal management which includes but is not limited to the topics of recovery and development planning, municipal finance management, municipal property management and support to project implementation by municipalities.
• Participates in the internal task forces, contributing to the preparation and delivery of online training courses with inputs, materials, presentations on municipal management and related topics.
• Provides necessary information to responsible for the data entry into data monitoring system on all events (e.g., trainings, consultations) within his/her responsibility as well as further necessary data (e.g., trainers, good practices, support to municipalities, etc.) according to the guidelines.
• Coordinates the organization of trainings and professional advice to municipalities with short-term experts according to GIZ values, standards and rules. Contributes to the quality assurance of the experts’ work.
• Collects and analyses municipalities’ feedback on challenges they face as well as their needs in terms of amending policy and legislation in the field of the Policy Adviser’s expertise.
• Participates and contributes to public discussions and policy dialogue events aimed at supporting reforms’ implementation, contributes to U-LEAD communication and visibility activities.
• Participates and contributes to the strategic and operational planning, monitoring and reporting of the U-LEAD Regional Office in Chernihiv oblast.
• Provides short reports and pictures from the attended events on time upon request.
• Contributes to the overall knowledge and data management of the U-LEAD Regional Office in Chernihiv oblast.
• Follows personal data protection rules during handling of participant lists and entry of personal data into U-DATA.
• Collects good practices and success stories, checks their progression over time and shares the information in the respective field for public awareness raising and communication purposes.
• Provides technical support to international and local experts during their field visits.
• Communicates regularly with local stakeholders.
• Communicates and cooperates effectively with the colleagues in the Regional Office, the U-LEAD team and other GIZ projects in Ukraine.
• Ensures discreet behaviour vis-a-vis third parties in all internal matters.
• Supports the implementation of other project activities and other assigned tasks.
• Communicates and reports regularly to the Head of Regional Office. 

Required qualifications, competences and experience: 

• Master’s Degree in the field of Economics, Finance, Public Administration or other relevant fields.
• At least 2 years’ work experience in the municipal management, municipal finance and/or in public service, in local self-government bodies or in an NGO.
• Proven track record of involvement in the implementation of the decentralization reform for the period of at least two years.

Other knowledge, additional competences:

• Sound knowledge of municipal management (including financial management), tools for fostering local economic development.
• Knowledge of and experience in project management is an asset.
• Deep understanding of the specific set-up, its actors and political environment of Chernihiv oblast.
• Knowledge and experience of capacity building of adults is an asset.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Team player with excellent communication skills, including public outreach.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• High degree of self-organization.
• Very good Ukrainian language skills. English or/and German is an asset.
• Good computer skills (MS Office Suite, Excel, PowerPoint etc.).

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 assignment starts as soon as possible. The end of the contract – 30.10.2024. Place of assignment is Chernihiv city.

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 Отправить резюме until COB 28 March 2024, Thursday.

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.