About DAI

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world. DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.  DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner. DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is seeking qualified candidates for the Kyiv-based full time Junior Legal Expert position on its newly awarded USAID Governance and Local Accountability (HOVERLA) Activity. Interested candidates should submit their application through the following portal:

https://fs23.formsite.com/OLJTgx/quxlyo8hmw/index.html?1618952685727

The deadline for applications – until it’s filled in. Due to a high volume of applications received, we are unable to contact each applicant individually regarding the status of their application. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted in response to this job advertisement.

Project Background

DAI Global is implementing the USAID-funded Governance and Local Accountability (HOVERLA) Activity, based in Kyiv, Ukraine. This project is designed to support Ukraine advance self-reliant local governance including legislative reforms, participatory strategic planning methodologies, service improvement, local economic development, civil society engagement, and capacity building of sub-national government entities.  The Activity has three objectives:

Objective 1: Ukraine’s system of local self-governance is increasingly institutionalized and effective

Objective 2: More self-reliant subnational governance

Objective 3: Citizens play an increasingly influential role in local governance processes

Position Overview

The Junior Legal Expert will provide legal support to Objective 1 Team as well as local and national authorities, analyzing the development of nationwide policies in decentralization sphere, interpreting implications of the newly adopted legislation, and assisting in the cataloguing of national laws with implications for local governance, municipal standard operating procedures, executive decrees, and other policies in the decentralization sphere.

Objectives and Duties:

• Provide analysis of draft legislation in terms of their potential impact on the economic and social development of consolidated territorial communities and regions
• Provide analysis of best international practice on decentralization reform, including financial and sectoral decentralization
• Work in coordination with sub-regional and local governments to analyze existing regulations, draft amendments, and advocate for changes in line with European standards as well as best practices of local self-government
• Provide analysis of the state of passage of draft legislation through the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and the Cabinet in the sphere of decentralization reform
• Provide legal guidance to sub-regional and local government to implement the newly adopted legislation, provide input to handbooks/ guidance for local self-government officials as well as model local acts
• Present and disseminate new legislation and their implications for sub-regional and local governance through project roundtables/ public discussions 
• Engage with local and national authorities to provide technical assistance and advice on the promoting legislation and regulations, including local ones
• Analyze guidelines and best international practices and implement them in Ukrainian legislation
• Advise local governments on development of regulations, such as changes to revenue collection regimes, municipal contracting policies, and improving the enabling environment for gender mainstreaming
• Work with the local and international experts on other issues as identified by the work plan and project counterparts
• Provide inputs to the Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Reports.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Junior Legal Expert will report to the Objective 1 Lead.

Qualifications:

• At least 2 years of experience in spheres of policy, administrative, constitutional law, preferably working with the public sector institutions, local self-governance or analytical center/ “think thanks”
• Master’s degree or higher in Law
• Knowledge and understanding of law-making process, public administration, local finances, and local economic development.