Background:

While the conflict in eastern Ukraine enters its 7th year, there is an eminent need to remind Ukraine’s international partners and major stakeholders of an ongoing humanitarian crisis in the eastern part of Ukraine and raise awareness about the situation and of the importance of staying engaged to find short, medium, and long-term solutions to affected populations.

This is why ACCESS Consortium (People in Need, ACTED/ REACH, Medicos del Mundo, HelpAge International and Right to Protection) with the support of the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, are organising the first Vilnius conference titled ‘The Future of Ukraine: From Humanitarian Needs to Development and Peace Perspectives’.

The conference will examine acute humanitarian needs as well as development opportunities in the Donbas, touching on the early stages of the response, system strengthening, and the role of women as first responders, community leaders, and service providers in leading the future of the region. Moreover, this event will trigger discussions highlighting opportunities that can meet both the short- and longer-term needs of people who live in eastern Ukraine and catalyse support to the region in light of a severely underreported conflict and underfunded response.

The conference is expected to bring together international development cooperation actors and policy makers from the EU institutions and member states, international organisations, representatives of the government and parliament of Ukraine, regional authorities from the affected areas as well as NGOs, journalists, academics, opinion leaders and the general public interested in the region.

Stakeholders will be invited to join the formation of a National Task Force for the Mainstreaming of the Nexus in the Donbas. In its online format, the conference will be broadcasted across social media channels.

Expected outcomes:

1. Participants have gained an increased knowledge on the current humanitarian and development needs in the Donbas:

Ukraine’s international partners are aware of the current humanitarian and development needs in the Donbas and are able to implement an informed and strategic foreign policy and cooperation agenda with regards to international funding and support for eastern Ukraine.

2. Enaction of a National Task Force for the Mainstreaming of the Nexus for Eastern Ukraine:

Ukraine’s international partners, representatives of national and local governments and the Verkhovna Rada, private sector, and civil society form a National Task Force on the Mainstreaming of the Nexus in the Donbas with the aim of improving pathways for civil society’s engagement in the regional and national strategy development and reforms processes, as well as of promoting a general coordination and cooperation in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Research and Policy Recommendations

Under Outcome 2 and ahead of the Vilnius conference, People in Need is looking for a highly qualified Development Policy Specialist (Civil Society, Local Economic Development, and Public Administration) to ensure the following:

1. Civil Society and Government Consultations (October 20- November 10): The consultant will be expected to conduct primary consultations with civil society representatives in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts in the Government Controlled Areas, including members of non-governmental humanitarian, development and human rights organisations, labour unions, public councils, etc. PIN will support the consultant identifying these stakeholders. The idea is to understand the extent to which and under which mechanisms they are involved in the local and regional strategies development process and reforms discussions in the fields of recovery, economic development, decentralisation and improvement of the social services’ provision. The consultant will also inform their policy efforts through consultations with regional and national government representatives, International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs), UN and EU institutions as relevant. Special attention should be dedicated to community-based feminist initiatives and green solutions (i.e. renewable energy).
2. Policy Paper and a Prioritisation Framework (November 10 to December 10): Following the formation of the National Task Force for the Mainstreaming of the Humanitarian and Development Nexus and informed by above-mentioned consultations and an in-depth analysis of existing participatory mechanisms, the consultant is expected to submit a draft Prioritisation Framework to the Task Force highlighting:

• Identified structural, systemic, and/or policy gaps and recommendations for an improved inclusion and participation of civil society actors in local governance (specific recommendations should be provided to specific stakeholders) in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
• Specific draft indicators and resource analysis for the achievement of these recommendations to be addressed in a one-year cycle.
• Identified existing structures and actors working on the Humanitarian-Development and Peace in Ukraine and provide recommendations on efficient coordination and relationship building, taking into consideration the experience of other countries and international standards.

Starting date:

The consultancy is expected to start as soon as possible, and will last for the period of 60 working days (mid-December) with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding

Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree in Social Sciences, Development Sciences, Political Science, Public Administration, Law or any other related field;
• At least 5 years of experience working on humanitarian and development issues
• Experience working with the Government or Parliament of Ukraine is a plus;
• Experience working with grassroots movements, civil society is required
• Familiarity with the Humanitarian-Development and Peace Nexus
• Flexible personality, adapts to stressful situations and able to work under pressure
• Excellent analytical and communication skills;
• Demonstrated research skills
• Language proficiency in Ukrainian, Russian, and English;
• Willing to conduct frequent travels to eastern Ukraine

How to apply: please submit your CV and cover letter in English until October 29th, 2020 to the following email address: [email protected]. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.