• Post Title: Director, Blue Ribbon Advisory Centre
• Duty Station: Kiev, Ukraine
• Duration of employment: initially for 3 months with further extension

________________________________________________________________________

BACKGROUND

The onset of growth in the CIS in 1999-2000 reversed a decade of decline, and the region’s economies have been expanding ever since. Ukraine has posted particularly robust results, based on a solid foundation of market reforms. However, the country’s economic achievements and level of social welfare still fall far short of Ukraine’s potential, and robust economic growth has yet to translate fully into human development. The status of democracy also leaves much room for improvement — observed are numerous cases of insecure human and property rights, limiting personal and economic freedoms, discretionary policies, low accountability, selective application of law-enforcement systems. Corruption has penetrated each and every aspect of life.

To assist Ukraine in identifying, prioritizing, and designing the specific steps to be taken in this next phase of economic and social reform, the United Nations Development Programme established a Blue Ribbon Commission for Ukraine composed of outstanding Ukrainian and international experts. The Commission came up with a Report with proposals for a new wave of reforms designed to achieve a required economic, social and democratic developments.

Following-up the BRC, which has been highly appreciated by the new leadership of Ukraine, the UNDP has deployed the Blue Ribbon Advisory Centre (BRAC) to support implementation of the second generation of reforms by (1) policy advice; (2) capacity building services; (3) civil society involvement and feedback. The project will work with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister of Ukraine. On sectoral issues, the project will be connected to relevant members and senior officials of the Cabinet, and other policy stakeholders.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director will work on a UNDP contract and, in liaise with UNDP Office and national counterparts, perform the following:

• Responsible for the overall operational management of the BRC project/BRAC and delivery of results, in accordance with the project document, work plans and other joint agreements between the national counterparts and UNDP.
• Represents technical advisory support of UNDP to national counterparts as part of the Program Support Unit. In this regard, performs as the specialized arm of UNDP assistance in the subject area.
• Engages and provides policy advisory support, taking responsibility for making policy and institutional impact. In this regard, ensures availability of up to date information on all critical issues in the subject area(s).
• Ensures networking and partnership building with the government, local authorities, non-government, private sector and international development organizations or projects.
• Mobilizes, manages and delivers all the inputs required for successful implementation – recruitment of expertise, sub-contracts, training, procurement and other inputs of the project in accordance with established UNDP norms.
• Assures communication outreach, arranges PR and media activities that enhance knowledge dissemination and recognition of UNDP as a core partner of the government and people.
• Prepares, updates and implements annual and quarterly work plans and progress reports, in cooperation with UNDP.
• Assumes direct responsibility for managing the project budget, based on the delegation of authority. Ensures that project funds are available when needed and disbursements achieved as per the work plans. Ensures appropriate recording and accounting documentation as required by UNDP and preparation of required financial reports. Makes the financial operations of the project transparent and stands up to regular audits.
• Supports the Country Office in partnership building with and mobilization of resources from government, non-government, private sector and international development partners. This will include the preparation of strategies and proposals, organization of regular donor meetings and field visits.
• Ensures the development of cross-project linkages with other relevant UNDP projects and programmes for mutually reinforcing impact.
• Performs other duties as required.

COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proven experience in the sphere of policy formulation and implementation
• Minimum 5 years of experience with international/donor organizations
• Minimum 5 years of experience in management of policy-oriented projects
• Mature judgment combined with a proactive, energetic approach to problem solving; excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strong ideals to support national development in Ukraine and serve as a catalyst for human development and poverty reduction;
• Ability to work with a wide cross-section of partners: Government, NGO’s, communities, media and international donors;
• Knowledge of Ukrainian legislative, policy and human resource issues as they apply to the project development area;
• Ability to think clearly, and articulate precisely are essential
• Proven high-profile reputation with senior project stakeholders
• High accuracy, reliability and personal responsibility
• Excellent writing, communication and reporting skills;
• Good knowledge of UN and UNDP systems;
• Computer literacy;
• Knowledge of English.

Applications (most recent CVs) in English language and sample writings are to be submitted to the e-mail address: vyacheslav.egorov@undp.org, or fax (044) 253-26-07.

Please indicate "BRC Director" in the Subject line of your message. Please also mention the minimal salary level expected in your application/CV.

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 vacancies. We regret that we will not be able to acknowledge all unsolicited general applications for employment.