Consequences of the armed conflict in the eastern Ukraine and annexation of Autonomous Republic of Crimea (ARC) in March 2014 forced more than a million people to flee from their hometown to the safer regions of Ukraine and neighboring countries.  As of 21 January 2015, UN OCHA reported that the Ministry of Social Policy has registered 921,640 internally displaced people (IDP) across the country and 600,000 people have fled to neighboring countries. The number of IDPs is increasing due to indiscriminate shelling and causing casualties among civilians in the conflict areas. Local authorities and people estimate that the actual numbers of IDPs are much higher than the registered one.

The armed conflict not only caused causalities and displacement of people but also destroyed major social and economic infrastructures such as roads, electricity and water supply systems, supply chains of goods, health services, residential buildings etc. The Government damage assessment team has estimated the reconstruction cost of those destroyed infrastructures is about UAH 6.6 bln (only in areas controlled by the government).

The IDPs are scattered all over the country with high concentration in the neighboring oblasts of Donbas region, and the Government controlled areas in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Among the IDPs, highest numbers are women and children (women-35%, and children-34%), while men constitute about 20%, and elderly and disabled people are about 11%. The IDPs are living either with relatives/friends, or in rented houses or in collective centers.

Due to massive influx of IDPs, the existing local social and economic infrastructures in host oblasts are overburdened to meet the need of IDPs and host communities as well as the local governments lack the capacity to address IDPs’ social and economic problems. In addition, unemployment and lack of access to social services (such as healthcare, legal and psychological, etc) causes hardship to IDPs.

Taking this into consideration UNDP plans to implement the Project on Rapid Response to Social and Economic Issues of Internally Displaced People in Ukraine, funded by the Government of Japan. The project areas include Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Zaporizhia, Odesa, Kyiv region and the Government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The overall objective of the Project is to strengthen the coping mechanisms for improving livelihoods of the IDPs in their new locations and, where appropriate, to support reintegration into their home locations. The project has three key components to ensure the project activities are implemented efficiently and timely: (i) Component 1 aims at enhancing capacity of the government on planning, management and coordination of the responses to IDP issues at national and sub-national levels; while (ii) Component 2 focuses in improving livelihoods of IDPs in relocated and home places; and (iii) Component 3 aims at promoting social cohesion, reconciliation, and integration/reintegration of IDPs in relocation and home places.

To ensure the activities of the Component 3 are implemented and managed effectively and efficiently, UNDP Ukraine invites applications from highly qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of the Specialist on Reconciliation. 

Under the overall supervision of the UNDP Programme Manager and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Specialist on Reconciliation will be responsible for management of component 3. The Specialist will facilitate building trust among communities and promoting social cohesion, tolerance, and reconciliation in the society. Specifically, s/he will perform the following key tasks in close coordination with the Local Coordinators:

• Organize comprehensive information campaign on social integration, trust-building and reconciliation through involvement of mass media;
• Facilitate organizing seminar/workshops on conflict-sensitive development for representatives of the Government institutions;
• Organize workshops/seminars and trainings on tolerance and peacebuilding for formal and informal leaders of IDPs and host communities;
• Facilitate and support strengthening dialogue, trust building within communities and between local authorities and communities;
• Organize community-based public events such as cultural and sports events to promote social cohesion and community reconciliation;
• Provide grants to support community initiatives that promote values of solidarity, cultural harmony and tolerance among community members;
• Prepare annual, quarterly, and detailed implementation work plans, and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of the component activities;
• Prepare specifications, ToRs and other supportive documents to procure goods and services in line with Project objectives and tasks;
• Ensure selection of Implementing Partners (IPs) through transparent and competitive processes for provision of services;
• Closely work with respective governmental organizations to ensure the component activities are implemented on timely and efficiently;
• Ensure coordination/partnership with relevant governmental, non-governmental and international organizations, including UN agencies and projects at national level and regional levels for mutually reinforcing impact;
• Monitor the field activities and provide technical support to ensure the Project objectives are met;
• Check and provide certification of satisfactory completion of works of consultants or IPs for payment of their completed works. Ensure budget for the component is efficiently and properly utilized;
• Maintain close liaison with national project partners, ensuring optimum participation and promoting ownership of national authorities in the implementation of the Project;
• Develop the professional platform for networking and partnership building with the national and local authorities, non-government, private sector and international development organizations or projects;
• Participate in relevant working group and cluster meetings and share information with partners and UNDP;
• Contribute to preparation and implementation of the Project communications strategy and plan;
• Ensure full compliance of project activities with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures;
• Prepare sections of the project reports, including progress and annual reports, as well as ad-hoc technical reports;
• Assure that due security measures are observed during implementation of the component activities;
• Carry on activities requested by the Project Manager and Programme Manager.

Measurable outputs of the work assignment:

• Full and appropriate implementation of the component activities;
• Component results, experiences and lessons learned disseminated at the national and regional levels;
• Component reporting, quality monitoring and closure activities completed.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results:

• Component annual work plan is fully and timely implemented;
• Component funds delivery reached 100%;
• Component activities are carried out in strict accordance with UNDP rules and procedures. 

• Ability to manage component for results, including the ability to translate strategic aims into achievable annual work plans; and prepare reports in a timely manner;
• Good interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to handle politically sensitive issues and contacts within government authorities and CSO’s community and within UNDP;
• Sound judgment and maturity to foster a positive work environment;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team;
• Good facilitation skills;
• Familiarity with national policies and legislation in the area of IDPs ;
• Demonstrated strong coordination and facilitation skills;
• Excellent usage of computers and office software packages.

• Master’s Degree in Management, Social Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Economics, Law or other relevant field; Post-graduate degree will be considered as an advantage;
• At least 5 years of relevant working experience in the field of participatory planning, social cohesion, tolerance, reconciliation and integration;
• At least 5 years of experience in preparation or management of projects or project components in the social, economic or governance field;
• Experience in conflict-sensitive development approach, and peacebuilding will be an asset.
• Experience of working with relevant stakeholders from the governmental and non-governmental institutions involved into IDPs and social and economic issues at the national and sub-national levels;
• Familiarity with UNDP rules and regulations will be considered as advantage;
• Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian is required.

Application Instructions:

• Click on the “Apply now” button.
• Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. You can type in or paste your Resume into the last box.
• Upon completion of the first page, please hit “submit application” tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11). When completing the Form and, even though not currently requested, please include email addresses for your Supervisors.
• Without the completed and signed P11 your application will not be considered. The UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded at link . Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and please ensure that copies of your educational qualifications are available when contacted.

This is a locally recruited position and no expatriation benefits will apply.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 29 JUNE 2015

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.