The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has had a direct and highly negative impact on social cohesion, resilience, livelihoods, community security, and the rule of law. Recognizing the need to urgently address reconstruction, economic recovery and peacebuilding needs in areas affected both directly and indirectly by the conflict, in late 2014 the Government of Ukraine requested technical assistance and financial support from the international community to assess priority recovery needs. In late 2014, the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Union conducted a Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment, which was endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers in mid-2015. In response to the situation, in 2016, UNDP has established a Project Office in eastern Ukraine with a view to consolidate and deliver the various recovery and governance projects through a comprehensive, area-based Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (RPP) in five conflict-affected oblasts: Donetsk and Luhansk (Government Controlled Areas), as well as Zaporizhzhya, Dnipro, and Kharkiv oblasts. RPP frames UNDP’s interventions in Eastern Ukraine to address the recovery needs of conflict affected population and communities. The Programme Component has three components focusing on: (1) economic recovery and restoration of critical infrastructure; (2) restoration of governance and support to decentralization reform; (3) strengthening community security and social cohesion. UNDP Ukraine invites applications from highly qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of  Vocational Education and Business Development Associate for the RPP’s Component 1 Economic Recovery and restoration of Critical Infrastructure.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, Economic Recovery and Restoration of Critical Infrastructure and in close collaboration  with Vocational Education Development Specialist, the Vocational Education and Business Development Associate will support implementation of the RPP’s Component 1 activities aimed at development of links between public institutions, Vocational Education and Training system (hereinafter – VET system) and private sector to enhance employability and increase relevancy of the VET programmes in the target regions. Specifically, s/he will perform the following key tasks:

Support development of effective linkage between the key labour market actors: employers, State Employment Service (SES) and VET institutions in the target regions:

• Support the Component activities aimed at analysis and assessment of regional labour market needs and demand, existing VET system, SES and local business stakeholders’ activity and other relevant studies;
• Facilitate identifying regulatory framework and policy barriers to effective development of links between the business community and regional training facilities;
• Contribute to streamlining of communications between the key labour market actors in order to improve employability of population of the target regions in particular by ensuring efficient information exchange;  
• Contribute to design of training and re-skilling programmes for VET system in partnership with the SES and employers in the region to meet the needs of the labour market;
• Facilitate recruitments of potential candidates for training and up-skilling activities stipulated by the Component implementation plans in close cooperation with key stakeholders including VET system, SES, business memberships organizations, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME)  and relevant local authorities;
• Contribute to establishing mechanisms for technical assistance to VET institutions, SES and business community in the field of efficient cooperation; as well as to provision of grants for implementation of joint public-private initiatives aimed at enhancing employability through strengthening links between public and private entities.

Support design of VET system development and investment plans for the target regions:

• Contribute to the data collection and processing aimed at specification of capacity building needs for VET institutions in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts;
• Effectively assist in Component’s activities aimed at improvement of networking tools for VET system and local employers at regional level (Donetsk and Luhansk VET councils) and at the level of VET institution (supervisory boards);
• Support in organization of capacity development trainings, studies and experience-exchange visits, workshops and round tables aimed at open discussion of VET system development issues and increase an effectiveness of VET institutions planning, management and implementation.

Provide support on efficient and effective delivery of Component’s activities: 

• Assist the Component personnel and contractors for collection and processing of various types of data as needed for the implementation of planned activities aimed at effective linkage between VET and private sector;
• Contribute to preparation of annual, quarterly, and detailed implementation work plans, and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of the relevant Component’s activities;
• Provide technical support in preparation of tender documents, specifications, terms of reference (ToRs) and other supportive documents to procure goods and services in line with Component objectives and tasks;
• Contribute to selection of Implementing Partners (IPs) through transparent and competitive processes for provision of services; 
• Closely work with respective public and private organizations to ensure the Component activities are implemented timely and efficiently; 
• Facilitate the monitoring of the field activities and provide technical support to ensure the Component objectives are met;
• Maintain and regularly update all relevant databases and files;
• Maintain close liaison with national partners, ensuring optimum participation and promoting ownership of national authorities in the implementation of the Component activities;
• Ensure full compliance of activities with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures;
• Prepare sections of the reports, including progress and annual reports, as well as ad-hoc technical reports;
• Process all relevant monitoring and evaluation requests and ensure provision of data for monitoring and evaluation purposes;
• Assure that due security measures are observed during the implementation of the Component activities;
• Perform other activities as requested by the Programme Coordinator, Economic Recovery and Restoration of Critical Infrastructure and Vocational Education Development Specialist.

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.

Corporate Competencies:

• Communication;
• Delivery;
• Innovation;
• Leadership;
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

 Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning; 
• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Conflict Management;
• Result orientation;
• Teamwork;
• Self –management and emotional intelligence.

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches.

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.

 Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals:

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.  

OTHER:

• Ability to manage Component activities for results, including the ability to translate strategic aims into achievable annual work plans; and prepare reports in a timely manner;
• Ability to handle politically sensitive issues and contacts within government authorities, public institutions and CSO’s community and within UNDP; 
• Sound judgment and maturity to foster a positive work environment;
• Familiarity with national policies, socio-economic context of the region, and relevant legislation;
• Demonstrated strong coordination and facilitation skills;
• Excellent usage of computers and office software packages.

Minimum qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Business Administration, Education Management, Public Administration, Finance, Social Sciences or another relevant field; 
• At least 3 years of experience in assisting or supporting implementation of projects or project components in the economic field, vocational education, employment and/or private sector development;
• Experience in usage of computers and office software packages (Word, Excel etc.), experience in handling of web-based management systems;
• Experience in working for international organizations/projects will be considered as an advantage;
• 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 11 NOVEMBER 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.