Centre for Economic Strategy seeks Senior project manager (Light Industry), short-term position, for the WNISEF-funded project “Technical support for the Ministry of Economy regarding investments, war-risk insurance and development of the processing industries” in the context of support of Ukraine’s entrepreneurial system development in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine (MoE), CES major partner and WNISEF beneficiary, intending to restore and elevate Ukraine’s industrial potential to the European level estimate that it is necessary to establish approximately 600 modern productions in various sectors, including the textile industry, woodworking, construction materials manufacturing, green metallurgy, the food industry, machinery, and automotive. The approximate need for investments in such productions amounts to about USD 90 billion.

The pursuit of these opportunities requires a set of well-coordinated policy actions: in this regard, the MoE is establishing the Project Office to ensure and strengthen the economic development toolset. Through this assignment CES will provide short-term expert support to the MoE to assist with the workstreams on investments, international cooperation, war-risk insurance, and processing industries support, particularly as government resources are still scarce to efficiently manage and successfully implement such large-scale programs.

In particular, Senior Project Manager (Light Industry) will assist with the analysis of data  on internal Ukrainian and international supply chains that includes Ukrainian supply chains in the light industry; analysis of the international experience in the light industry; and comprehensive assessment of the light industry in Ukraine.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:

The Senior Project Manager is expected to provide assistance with the following:

• analysis of data relevant to supply chains (the number of active market participants, resources, activities and technology involved in the creation and sale of a product, potential tools to stimulate the industry) in the light industry;
• analysis of international industry experience and best policy practices in the modernisation and reengineering of the light industry;
• participation in the development of the policy related to the light industry;
• participation in knowledge-sharing meetings (workshops/training, etc.) on the functioning of the light industry, its current state, relevant international experience, and efficient tools for its development;
• participation in a comprehensive assessment of the light industry in Ukraine with a focus on the technical aspects of its functioning;
• development proposals of comprehensive plans for the development of the light industry and ideas for policy decisions which are aligned with Ukraine’s EU integration agenda;
• arranging the implementation of those plans and policy decisions;
• participation in the joint with the Ministry, businesses and the other relevant organisations working groups, meetings and other project-related discussions;
• development of proposals to the draft of the Ukraine Plan. The Ukraine Plan is a document yet to be developed and presented by the Government of Ukraine, detailing plans for the country’s recovery, relight and modernization, as well as reforms for its EU accession process. Adoption of the Ukraine Plan is a necessary step prior to Ukraine accessing the financial support under the Ukraine Facility, proposed by the European Commission, for supporting Ukraine’s efforts to sustain macro-financial stability and promote recovery.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience:

Qualifications and skills:

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Law, Engineering, Project Management or Business administration related to light industry;
• Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills;
• Excellent verbal, written, and communication skills;
• Advance level of PC literacy (PowerPoint, Project, Excel, Word);
• Excellent command of Ukrainian and fluency in English.

Professional experience:

• Minimum 7 years of general professional experience related to the light industry.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in management obtained in the companies and organizations directly related to the light industry. 

Other competencies:

• Familiarity with the reform agenda in Ukraine, a good understanding of the policy design process is an asset.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams is an asset.

The place of performance for this assignment is Ukraine (remotely and in person, as feasible), with relevant local travel required to fulfill the assignment.   

This assignment will require up to 12 months of LOE, from on/about 01 April 2024, through on/about 31 January 2025.

Application Instructions:

Please send a CV and brief letter of interest in English indicating related experience and achievements by March 10, 2024 to [email protected]. Please include your name and “Senior Project Manager (Light Industry)” in the subject line. Please note the position is open for Ukrainian citizens only. Candidates will be reviewed and interviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted.