Consequences of the armed conflict in the eastern Ukraine and annexation of Autonomous Republic of Crimea (ARC) in March 2014 forced more than a million people to flee from their hometown to the safer regions of Ukraine and neighboring countries.  As of 21 January 2015, UN OCHA reported that the Ministry of Social Policy has registered 921,640 internally displaced people (IDP) across the country and 600,000 people have fled to neighboring countries. The number of IDPs is increasing due to indiscriminate shelling and causing casualties among civilians in the conflict areas. Local authorities and people estimate that the actual numbers of IDPs are much higher than the registered one.

The armed conflict not only caused causalities and displacement of people but also destroyed major social and economic infrastructures such as roads, electricity and water supply systems, supply chains of goods, health services, residential buildings etc. The Government damage assessment team has estimated the reconstruction cost of those destroyed infrastructures is about UAH 6.6 bln (only in areas controlled by the government).

The IDPs are scattered all over the country with high concentration in the neighboring oblasts of Donbas region, and the Government controlled areas in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Among the IDPs, highest numbers are women and children (women-35%, and children-34%), while men constitute about 20%, and elderly and disabled people are about 11%. The IDPs are living either with relatives/friends, or in rented houses or in collective centers.  

Due to massive influx of IDPs, the existing local social and economic infrastructures in host oblasts are overburdened to meet the need of IDPs and host communities as well as the local governments lack the capacity to address IDPs’ social and economic problems. In addition, unemployment and lack of access to social services (such as healthcare, legal and psychological, etc) causes hardship to IDPs.

Taking this into consideration UNDP plans to implement the Project on Rapid Response to Social and Economic Issues of Internally Displaced People in Ukraine, funded by the Government of Japan. The project areas include Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Poltava, Zaparozhia, Odesa, Kyiv region and the Government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. The overall objective of the Project is to strengthen the coping mechanisms for improving livelihoods of the IDPs in their new locations and, where appropriate, to support reintegration into their home locations. The project has three key components to ensure the project activities are implemented efficiently and timely: (i) Component 1 aims at enhancing capacity of the government on planning, management and coordination of the responses to IDP issues at national and sub-national levels; while (ii) Component 2 focuses in improving livelihoods of IDPs in relocated and home places; and (iii) Component 3 aims at promoting social cohesion, reconciliation, and integration/reintegration of IDPs in relocation and home places.

To ensure the activities of the Component 1 are implemented and managed effectively and efficiently, UNDP Ukraine invites applications from highly qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of the Specialist on Coordination, Planning and Management, and Information.

Under the overall supervision of the UNDP Programme Manager and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Specialist on Coordination, Planning and Management, and Information will be responsible for management of component 1. The Specialist will facilitate in enhancing capacity of the Ministry of Social Policy and relevant departments on planning, management and coordination to ensure effective response to social and economic problems of IDPs. Specifically, s/he will perform the following key tasks in close coordination with the Local Coordinators:

Facilitate strengthening coordination mechanism through promoting vertical and horizontal linkages of the Government structures as well as inter-sectoral linkages at national and sub-national levels:

• Facilitate conducting an assessment of existing practices of coordination in addressing IDP issues;
• Facilitate the preparation of guidelines/instructions on coordination for the staff members of the Ministry of Social Policy and regional departments of the line ministries;
• Facilitate organizing capacity development events on coordination for the government officials and non-government organizations at national and sub-national levels;
• Facilitate the establishing of stakeholder’s platform and network for regular interaction and coordination to address IDP issues collectively;
• Facilitate allocation of additional technical and human resources (for instance, hiring short term experts, procurement of office equipment, etc) to enhance the coordination capacity of the government structures at local and national levels;

Facilitate building capacity of the Government institutions dealing with IDP issues on planning and management for efficient response to IDP problems:

• Facilitate conducting needs assessment for capacity development of the Government structures and regional authorities on planning and management for improving the livelihoods of IDPs;
• Organize seminars and trainings on effective planning and management of IDP issues for representatives of authorities at the national and sub-national levels;
• Provide support to the Government structures to develop a comprehensive strategies and programmes to address IDP issues in transparent, conflict-sensitive, and participatory manner;
• Provide support to the Government in preparing necessary legislation, regulations and instructions to ensure the IDPs have access to social and economic services;

Support establishing database / information centre with frequently updated information on IDPs and their needs to ensure proper planning and programming for IDPs:

• Provide support for establishing / strengthening capacity of the government staff members at national and sub-national levels to collect relevant data, analyze and use information on IDPs;
• Support in preparing monitoring reports on livelihoods of IDPs based on targeted surveys and information collected through various sources, and share the reports with key stakeholders working with IDP issues;
• Support the Ministry of Social Policy and the State Emergency Services and other relevant authorities to disseminate information about the Government decisions, activities, programmes, and assistance to IDPs;

Provide support for efficient and effective delivery of the project activities:  

• Prepare annual, quarterly, and detailed implementation work plans, and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of the component activities;
• Prepare specifications, ToRs and other supportive documents to procure goods and services in line with Project objectives and tasks;
• Ensure selection of Implementing Partners (IPs) through transparent and competitive processes for provision of services;
• Closely work with respective governmental organizations to ensure the component activities are implemented on timely and efficiently;
• Ensure coordination with relevant governmental, non-governmental and international organizations, including UN agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, ILO, etc) and projects at national level and regional levels for mutually reinforcing impact;
• Monitor the field activities and provide technical support to ensure the Project objectives are met;
• Check and provide certification of satisfactory completion of works of consultants or IPs for payment of their completed works. Ensure budget for the component is efficiently and properly utilized;
• Maintain close liaison with national project partners, ensuring optimum participation and promoting ownership of national authorities in the implementation of the Project;
• Develop the professional platform for networking and partnership building with the national and local authorities, non-government, private sector and international development organizations or projects;
• Participate in relevant working group and cluster meetings and share information with partners and UNDP;
• Contribute to preparation and implementation of the Project communications strategy and plan;
• Ensure full compliance of project activities with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures;
• Prepare sections of the project reports, including progress and annual reports, as well as ad-hoc technical reports;
• Assure that due security measures are observed during implementation of the component activities;
• Carry on activities requested by the Project Manager and Programme Manager.

Measurable outputs of the work assignment:

• Full and appropriate implementation of the component activities;
• Component results, experiences and lessons learned disseminated at the national and regional levels;
• Component reporting, quality monitoring and closure activities completed.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results:

• Component annual work plan is fully and timely implemented;
• Component funds delivery reached 100%;
• Component activities are carried out in strict accordance with UNDP rules and procedures.

• Ability to manage component for results, including the ability to translate strategic aims into achievable annual work plans; and prepare reports in a timely manner;
• Good interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to handle politically sensitive issues and contacts within government authorities and CSO’s community and within UNDP;
• Sound judgment and maturity to foster a positive work environment;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team;
• Good facilitation skills;
• Familiarity with national policies and legislation in the area of IDPs ;
• Demonstrated strong coordination and facilitation skills;
• Excellent usage of computers and office software packages.

• Master’s Degree in Management, Social Science, Public Administration, Economics, Law or other relevant field; Post-graduate degree will be considered as an advantage;
• At least 5 years of relevant working experience in the field of planning, management and coordination of social and economic activities;
• At least 5 years of experience in preparation or management of projects or project components in the social, economic or governance field;
• Experience of working with relevant stakeholders from the governmental and non-governmental institutions involved into IDPs and social and economic issues at the national and sub-national levels;
• Familiarity with UNDP rules and regulations will be considered as advantage;
• Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian is required.

Application Instructions:

• Click on the “Apply now” button.
• Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. You can type in or paste your Resume into the last box.
• Upon completion of the first page, please hit “submit application” tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11). When completing the Form and, even though not currently requested, please include email addresses for your Supervisors.
• Without the completed and signed P11 your application will not be considered. The UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded at link . Failure to disclose prior employment or making false representations on this form will be grounds for withdrawal of further consideration of his/her application or termination, where the appointment or contract has been issued.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and please ensure that copies of your educational qualifications are available when contacted.

This is a locally recruited position and no expatriation benefits will apply.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 13 MAY 2015

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 vacancy. 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.