TITLE: Contract Lawyer, Global Libraries – Ukraine DIVISION: Civil Society Division REPORTS TO: Grants Manager, Kyiv, Ukraine POSITION LOCATION: Kyiv, Ukraine START DATE: November 2008

IREX seeks a qualified Ukrainian professional to fill the position of Contract Lawyer for the Global Libraries – Ukraine Program funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This is a half-time position.

ABOUT IREX: IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media, and foster pluralistic civil society development.

Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of $50 million and a staff of over 400 professionals worldwide. IREX and its partner IREX Europe deliver cross-cutting programs and consulting expertise in more than 50 countries.

The Global Libraries – Ukraine program will provide Internet facilities to public libraries across Ukraine and provide accompanying training and assistance with advocacy for enhanced library support and services. Over the past year, IREX has operated a “Planning” grant for this program in Ukraine, networking with a wide range of stakeholders to gain a clear understanding of how the national-scale program can be most effectively designed. The national program will begin in the beginning of November, 2008.

SUMMARY OF POSITION: IREX seeks a qualified professional to fill the position of Contract Lawyer for the Global Libraries Ukraine Program. This position will ensure that all partnership agreements for the project are in compliance with the law of Ukraine, IREX policies and donor requirements. The position will be based in Kyiv, Ukraine. The position requires experience in writing and evaluating contracts and grants in Ukraine, and reporting for international assistance programs. IREX seeks a candidate with knowledge of using technology as a development tool. IREX seeks a two-year, half-time commitment.

The Contract Lawyer will: • Draft and edit grant agreements and vendor contracts in close cooperation with the Grants Manager, Assistant Grants Manager and Procurement Specialist Lawyer to ensure compliance with IREX policy, funder requirements and legislation and regulations of Ukraine; • Advise Administrative Manager on legal issues that have the potential to affect project activities and recommend outside counsel as needed; • Develop a procedure for drafting, negotiation, approval and signing of all agreements and ensure that staff follow the procedure; • Educate other staff in how to identify agreements and situations requiring agreements and the steps necessary to approve and sign them; • Review standard contracts proposed by vendors for compliance with IREX policy, funder requirements and the law of Ukraine; • Maintain IREX’s filing system for agreements and contracts;

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must be well organized, able to work independently, skilled at handling multiple tasks, able to meet deadlines and work in stressful situations, and willing to travel within Ukraine. Other specific qualifications should include at a minimum:

• A degree in law from a Ukrainian university and the right to practice law in Ukraine; • At least two years of professional experience as a lawyer working in Ukraine; • Familiarity with Ukrainian and international law with regard to contracts, charitable activities, forms of incorporation and international assistance projects; • Familiarity with political, economic, and social issues in Eastern Europe or Ukraine specifically; • Knowledge of relevant computer applications, including MS Project, Excel and Publisher and online collaborative tools such as wikis; • Excellent writing skills in English and Ukrainian; • Strong command of spoken English and Ukrainian. • Ukrainian citizenship.

HOW TO APPLY: Please apply online with your cover letter, resume, and salary history at our JOB BOARD at www.irex.org. If for some reason you cannot apply online, send your cover letter, resume and salary history with “CSD/CS/CG” in the subject line to [email protected], fax (202) 628-8189, www.irex.org. No phone calls please. Only complete applications will be considered. Candidates will be contacted on a rolling basis as applications are received, so earlier applications are preferred.