Under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator of the LGDR Component, the Territorial Amalgamation Specialists in close cooperation with Administrative Decentralization Specialist, Fiscal Decentralization Specialist and Communication Specialist will perform the following key tasks:

• Ensure implementation of respective activities of the Local Governance and Decentralization Reform component of RPP and delivery of results  in accordance with the programme document, work plans and other joint agreements between the Government and UNDP;
• Contribute to preparation of annual, quarterly, and detailed implementation work plans, and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of the component activities;
• Collect and analyse of data and relevant studies on territorial administrative reform, analyze the trends and keep abreast of all the developments at national and local level;
• Initiate and coordinate, in cooperation with the Communication Specialist, the conduct of comprehensive regional communication and consultation campaigns for territorial administrative reform (amalgamation) in target oblasts;
• Lead the process of identification the groups of communities/Hromadas which are ready to start the voluntary amalgamation process together with the Oblast administrations and the Ministry of Regional Development;
• Contribute to the assessment of the administrative capacities of local authorities which will be amalgamated and which will become administrative centers of the new Hromadas; 
• Coordinate the selection, establishment and training of a network of facilitators for voluntary amalgamation;
• Coordinate the elaboration of a plan and methodology for voluntary amalgamation (focusing on the institutional and organizational aspects), and the pilot testing  of the methodology in a group of local authorities;
• Lead the network of facilitators who will assist the local authorities and their communities to initiate and complete the process of voluntary amalgamation;
• Monitor, coordinate and supervise field activities and provide technical support to ensure the Component objectives are met;
• Contribute to the selection processes of Implementing Partners (IPs), Consultants or Contractors and regularly oversee, supervise and monitor their work and delivery of assignments (training, seminars/workshops, surveys, data collection, etc.), as well as coordinate their work in target Oblasts. Ensure that the budget allocated for relevant activities is efficiently and properly utilized;
• Ensure that all activities are implemented in line with UNDP rules and regulations;
• Facilitate programme monitoring and evaluation, as well as audit activities;
• Prepare sections of the Programme/Component reports, including progress and annual reports, as well as any ad-hoc technical reports;
• Perform other activities as requested by Programme Coordinator and UNDP Project Office Management.

Measurable outputs of the work assignment:

• Full and appropriate implementation of the respective activities on support of territorial amalgamation within Local Governance and Decentralization Reform component of RPP;
• Results, experiences and lessons learned during implementation of the Local Governance and Decentralization Reform component of RPP disseminated at the national and regional levels;
• Reporting and quality monitoring activities completed.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results:

• Respective sections of the annual work plan for the Local Governance and Decentralization Reform component of RPP is fully and timely implemented;
• Funds delivery allocated for amalgamation support activities reached 100%;
• Programme and Component activities are carried out in strict accordance with UNDP rules and procedures.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Political Sciences, Law, Economics, Finance, Social Sciences, or other relevant areas;

Experience:

• At least 5 years of proven experience in analysis and research in the field of decentralization, inter-governmental relations, public administration, territorial administrative reorganization or other related area;
• Experience in delivering capacity development, advisory and advocacy services to the Government in the relevant fields would be a strong asset;
• Sound knowledge of public sector reforms and in particular of the administrative, governance, public service reform initiatives currently undertaken by the Ukrainian Government;
• Experience of working with the international organizations or international technical assistance projects,  with relevant stakeholders from the governmental and non-governmental institutions involved into governance and decentralization issues at the national and sub-national levels would be a strong asset.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian is required.

If you wish to apply for this or other position with UNDP, please visit UNDP website, section jobs and apply online. 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS 31 AUGUST 2016 (Midnight, New York, USA).

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Only applications submitted through UNDP website will be considered. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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