The United Nations Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Index for Eastern Ukraine (USE) is based on the methodology of the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Index (SCORE), originally developed in Cyprus by UNDP and the Centre for Sustainable Peace and Democratic Development (SeeD). USE is a state-of-the-art, tailor-made monitoring and assessment mechanism designed to provide high-quality analysis for targeted recovery, peacebuilding and development policies and interventions, specifically within the context of eastern Ukraine.  The USE data is subject to both descriptive and predictive analysis, which provides an understanding of social dynamics in conflict-affected communities.

 The USE methodology engages national, regional and local government and civil society partners throughout the entire process, which allows for an appropriate measure of the relevant dimensions for current, planned, and potential interventions in the field of social cohesion.  Consequently, USE is both a transparent procedure and a purpose-designed analytical tool that allows for informed strategic choices for recovery and development assistance by implementers and policy makers alike.

 The first USE wave of data collection and participatory analysis was conducted in 2017 and the results are available on a dedicated, interactive website: use.scoreforpeace.org.  On the basis of the success of the first wave, the three participating UN agencies (UNDP, UNICEF and IOM) intend to conduct three more annual waves (2018-2020), and are seeking to recruit qualified professionals to join a dedicated USE team.

Under the direct supervision of the Peace and Development Advisor (PDA) and in close collaboration with a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) comprising the representatives of participating UN agencies, the Project Team Lead will be responsible for the following key tasks:

Ensure overall operational management of the USE project and delivery of results in accordance with the project document and work plans;

Ensure timely preparation, updates and implementation of annual work plans for the USE project, and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of all project activities;

Provide substantive inputs to all project activities, ultimate in-project quality assurance for achieving the overall project outputs, ensure timely implementation of project activities, including reporting on progress vis-à-vis planned activities and expected outputs;

Lead preparations of substantive outputs (e.g. preparation of briefs, analytical reports, etc.) and develop strategic recommendations for applying USE findings to policy and/or program development;

Build relations with key national and regional partners and stakeholders, including by establishing and maintaining dialogue with relevant government officials at national, regional and local level, as well as NGOs and experts, donors and community representatives;

Set up and manage the project office, including staff facilities and services, as per the project work plan;

Coordinate and supervise the work of USE project team members, experts and consultants, including the preparation of terms of reference, facilitation of recruitment, engagement of national and international experts and subcontractors and procurement of services and goods, forward planning of project activities and budget expenditures, activity scheduling, monitoring of work/results and reporting;

Act as principal representative of the project during assurance review meetings and evaluations, including preparation of review and evaluation reports (e.g. mid-term and annual project reports) for consideration of the Project Board;

Assume direct responsibility for managing the project budget in accordance with the project business processes, in line with relevant UN Standard Operating Procedures, including ensuring that:

• project funds are made available when needed, and are disbursed properly;
• accounting records and supporting documents are properly maintained;
• required financial reports are prepared accurately and in a timely manner;
• financial operations are correct and transparent; and
• the project is ready for audit at any point in the annual project cycle;

Represent the project during public events and media activities, and ensure proper communication of project results through relevant UN communication channels;

Distribute knowledge and information sharing about USE to relevant parties and stakeholders;

Ensure availability of up-to-date information on all critical issues related to USE project;

Prepare updates for the PDA, TAG and the Project Board with situation analyses (political, social, and economic) in the field of the project implementation;

Ensure that the Atlas Project Management module is updated on a regular basis;

Frequent travel to eastern Ukraine (government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as Dnipro, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia oblasts) will be required

Perform other duties as required.

Measurable outputs of the work assignment:

• Full and appropriate implementation of the USE project;
• Partnerships with project stakeholders developed and maintained;
• Project reports, briefs and other substantive outputs produced in a timely manner and at a high level of quality;
• Project overall results, experiences and lessons learned captured and disseminated at the national and regional levels;
• Quality monitoring and closure activities completed.

 Performance Indicators for evaluation of results:

• Relevant outputs of the project annual work plan are fully and timely implemented;
• Funds delivery for the project reaches 100%;
• Project’s operational requirements are carried out in strict accordance with UN rules and procedures.

Core Competencies:

• Leadership;
• People Management;
• Communication;
• Delivery;
• Innovation.

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning;
• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Conflict Management;
• Result orientation;
• Teamwork;
• Self–management and emotional intelligence;
• Results-Based Project Development and Management (Assesses programme financial performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into programme work; Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration);
• manage project/programmes for results, including the ability to translate strategic aims into achievable annual work plans, and prepare project/programme reports in a timely manner;
• Client Orientation (Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion. Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines);
• Establishing Partnerships (Ability to handle politically sensitive issues and establish partnership with government and civil society counterparts);
• Sound judgment and maturity to foster a positive work environment;
• Strong coordination and facilitation skills;
• Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Minimum qualifications and experience:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, international relations, development studies, public administration, law or related field;
• Minimum 10 years of proven experience in component/project/programme coordination, policy development and analysis, managing teams or project component or related field, preferably in an international organizations or CSO;
• Experience in delivering capacity development, advisory and advocacy services, as well as working with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders on local economic development, social cohesion, community security, democratisation or human rights issues at the national and sub-national levels would be a strong asset;
• Experience and knowledge in development effectiveness and cooperation, as well as gender equality and related issues would be a strong asset;
• Experience in developing gender responsive policy recommendations would be an asset;
• Knowledge of conflict context in Ukraine and/or proven experience using the Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Index methodology wold be an asset;
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience with web based management systems;
• Familiarity with UNDP project management procedures and experience with ATLAS would be an asset, PRINCE2 qualification will be considered as an advantage;
• Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian is required (both spoken and written).

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 28 JANUARY 2018
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.