Strategic Advisor

Program: Digital Transformation Activity
Title: Strategic Advisor
Job Type: Consultancy
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine (hybrid)
Date Posted: March 19, 2024
Application Deadline: March 29, 2024 (6pm Kyiv time)

Summary

Eurasia Foundation (EF), the implementer of the Digital Transformation Activity (DTA), is recruiting a highly qualified Strategic Advisor. The Advisor will assist EF management foster a consistent and coherent approach for the portfolio of eGovernance reforms supported by DTA. In addition, the Advisor will work closely with the DTA senior management team to articulate the overarching vision for how DTA works with its beneficiaries to design and deliver public sector reforms. 

Background

On December 19, 2024, Eurasia Foundation launched the Digital Transformation Activity (DTA), a five-year, $150 million eGovernance program supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UK International Development (UK Dev). DTA is dedicated to enhancing Ukraine’s digital capabilities and building resilient systems for a secure, prosperous future. DTA will bolster the digital transformation of Ukraine to promote three core objectives: economic revitalization, transparency in reconstruction, and democratic governance during the ongoing war and beyond.

DTA is the successor program to the Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration and Services (TAPAS) Activity, a flagship initiative supporting eGovernance reform in Ukraine. Through TAPAS, over 20 successful digital transformation initiatives were implemented, introducing modern digital solutions to both central ministries and regional authorities across Ukraine. These initiatives include Diia, the eConstruction system, the eRecovery Program, Prozorro, the Open Data Portal and many others. EF implements the TAPAS Activity with financial support from USAID and UK Dev. 

To drive economic revitalization, DTA champions investments in digital economic infrastructure. The program will help to simplify and digitize export-related processes, support small- and medium-size enterprise development, and foster a favorable business environment in Ukraine.

To ensure transparent reconstruction of wartime and post-war Ukraine, DTA promotes the digital management of recovery and reconstruction projects. The program will strengthen the eProcurement ecosystem to enhance oversight of funds and ensure fairness and accountability.

To foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and democratic governance, DTA enhances the availability and usability of open data in anti-corruption efforts. DTA will support the Diia ecosystem to speed the roll-out of new eServices for both people and businesses. The program will also improve digital literacy, ensure equitable access, and foster civic engagement in the digital transformation process.

Importantly, these reforms align closely with the policy agenda and needs of the Government of Ukraine, ensuring their relevance and effectiveness in addressing the nation’s pressing challenges. These holistic reforms aim to cultivate an inclusive, transparent, and efficient digital ecosystem, catalyze economic growth, improve administrative efficiency, and cultivate stronger citizen-government relations throughout Ukraine’s transformative journey.

DTA will be delivered by a skilled consortium led by EF and comprised of the Better Regulation Delivery Office, East Europe Foundation, the Institute of Analytics and Advocacy, the Kyiv School of Economics, Open Contracting Partnership, Social Boost, Transparency International Ukraine, and Women in Digital Transformation. Each of these partners will be engaged in different reforms, with a particular focus on their priority areas of direction. Meanwhile, EF bears the responsibility of ensuring the coherence of these reform support efforts, ensuring they collectively contribute to Ukraine’s trajectory toward democratic development and transparent post-war recovery.

Scope of Work:

The Strategic Advisor is tasked with strengthening the implementation of DTA by providing strategic guidance, technical expertise, and oversight. This support includes helping to align DTA initiatives with broader national goals and strategies as well as fostering an environment of innovation, transparency, and the application of best practices for reform in Ukraine.

A primary aim of the Strategic Advisor is to foster strong collaboration with key government entities, including the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Development, to ensure effective implementation of DTA interventions and the sustainability of outcomes. Potential reform areas include tax, customs, court administration, deregulation, telecommunications, construction, anti-corruption, and others. The Advisor is expected to work collaboratively with EF, the DTA beneficiaries, and EF’s eight implementing partners.

Simultaneously, the Strategic Advisor will ensure that DTA reforms and activities are in line with the program’s overarching approach. The approach encompasses principles such as flexibility and responsiveness, transparency, and anti-corruption measures, as well as leveraging Ukraine’s reform commitments and ensuring the sustainability of implemented solutions.

Objectives:

• Further refine and support implementation of the program’s strategic vision, ensuring its alignment with the program’s goal and objectives.
• Facilitate collaboration and alignment among DTA stakeholders to achieve shared reform objectives.
• Enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of reforms supported by DTA by offering strategic guidance and innovative approaches to EF, its implementing partners, and DTA’s beneficiaries.
• Assist with identifying and addressing potential risks and challenges and develop strategies to mitigate them.
• Improve service delivery for the Government of Ukraine by identifying areas for enhancement and implementing innovative solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct regular strategic sessions for EF’s DTA team, implementing partners, beneficiaries, recipients, and other stakeholders to create a shared vision of the program, foster collaboration, and ensure that all parties are working towards shared goals.
• Analyze the sectoral reforms supported by DTA (e.g., tax, customs, construction reforms, others) and advise on better approaches for their implementation. Conduct in-depth reviews, identify bottlenecks, and propose strategic solutions for improvement.
• Provide strategic advice on how to make reforms more effective and efficient by offering new approaches based on international best practice, streamlining processes, and leveraging technology.
• Advise on emerging trends and best practices in public reforms and eGovernance and apply them within the context of DTA.
• Advise on the European integration aspects of the reforms in development based on the strong knowledge of the EU Community acquis.
• Advise on change management within reforms to address pressing issues, implement new policies, and undergo organizational or structural changes.
• Develop change management plans, facilitating communication between stakeholders, and mitigating resistance to change.
• Conduct regular needs assessments, collaborate with stakeholders to identify pain points, and design and implement solutions to enhance service delivery for the Government of Ukraine.

Deliverables and Time Estimates:

The position is a 12-month contract, with the possibility of extension, based in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Deliverables include the following:

• Comprehensive reports on the outcomes and action points discussed in strategy sessions with the DTA team and program stakeholders.
• Analytical assessments and recommendations for optimizing the implementation of sectoral reforms supported by DTA, such as tax, customs, construction, and other reforms.
• Strategic plans recommending new approaches, streamlined processes, and uses of technology to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of DTA’s support for reforms.
• Change management plans detailing strategies for addressing pressing issues, implementing new policies, and managing organizational or structural changes within DTA.
• Innovative solutions and strategies developed to improve service delivery for the Government of Ukraine within the DTA, along with implementation roadmaps.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as international development, public policy, public administration, or a related social science discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in strategic planning, program management, public sector reforms, or a related field, preferably in the context of large-scale international development programs.
• Proven experience in providing strategic advice and support to senior managers, preferably in a similar role.
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of program design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Familiarity with the political, social, and economic context of Ukraine or the Eastern European region.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and provide innovative solutions.
• Proven track record of driving successful reforms in the public sector.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with a high level of self-motivation and initiative.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Ukrainian is a significant plus.
• Willingness to travel to project sites and attend in-person meetings and events, as required.

Apply:

Interested experts should submit the following: 

• Written proposal describing their approach (no more than 2 pages)
• Resume or CV
• Three professional references
• Daily rate

Bids will be considered upon receipt and bidders may be contacted prior to the submission deadline.