17.02.2025

Експерт/ка з підтримки ініціативи з територіального брендінгу та флагманських проектів UCORD

ЗАВЕРШЕНО

UCORD-eng-2058x1080 — Експерт/ка з підтримки ініціативи з територіального брендінгу та флагманських проектів UCORD

Ukraine’s Cohesion and Regional Development Project, UCORD is looking for a Expert for Supporting of Territorial Branding Initiative & Flagship Projects, UCORD.

Expected start date: 03.03.2025
Duration: 03.03.2025 – 30.06.2026
Days: Hybrid
No. of Working Days: Up to 150 Days

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Background

Ukraine’s Cohesion and Regional Development Project, UCORD, is a technical assistance project is implemented with the support of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation by NIRAS Sweden AB.

UCORD aims for citizens, businesses, and public authorities to contribute and equally benefit from recovery actions and coherent regional development that fosters improved quality of life, resilience, peace, and social cohesion in Ukraine. The project currently supports four pilot oblasts of Ukraine: Khmelnytska, Sumska, Ternopilska, and Vinnytska oblasts as the starting points, targeting capacity development and awareness-raising initiatives nationwide. UCORD consists of three components:

Component 1 embeds regional policy development in Ukraine by supporting and strengthening Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) in pilot oblasts.

Component 2 seeks to improve public service delivery in the WASAW (water supply, sanitation, and waste management) sector, focusing on the environment.

Component 3 aims to construct social cohesion through culture, dialogue, and creative industries.

Introduction

The UCORD Project considers cultural initiatives, and creative industries are significant sources of jobs and income and generate important spillovers for the wider economy. The development of a strong territorial brand can build on the oblast’s culture with long-term benefits for citizens and enterprises. Territorial branding as a participatory process involving a range of stakeholders collectively understanding the oblast’s strengths, character, and assets to create an identity and reputation that drives recognition and economic growth. For 2025 UCORD is Planning to support one pilot oblast, following a competitive selection process, to explore best practices and acquire the necessary technical expertise to develop and market a territorial brand internationally.

The UCORD Project is progressing the Renaissance Clusters Grant Programme. This programme will support the establishment and development of cultural and cultural-tourism clusters. These clusters are intended to demonstrate culture’s significant contribution to regional development, creating added value for local economies, improving human capital, and strengthening social cohesion. The partnerships, with the support of the RDAs, will develop action plans to develop cultural initiatives. The action plans will specify the responsibilities of the participating hromadas and describe and quantify the technical assistance needed, e.g., coaching, mentoring, and training. The assistance provided will be tailored to fit the specific needs of the partnerships.

The cultural initiatives and creative entrepreneurs will provide a visible focus for public engagement with culture in the pilot regions. In partnership with RDA’s UCORD is planning to hold cultural forums in three pilot regions (Odesa, Sumy and Volyn) to create a space for meaningful dialogue among cultural organisations and public authorities to develop and promote the cultural provision in the pilot oblasts; identify areas for collaboration; advocate on behalf of the cultural and creative industries and embed culture in future regional strategies and programmes.

Objectives of the Assignment

The expert will provide comprehensive support for territory branding initiative. This involves collection of data for context understanding, designing selection procedure and documentation, supporting the evaluation and implementation of territory branding.

The expert will provide mentoring support for selected initiatives of Renaissance Clusters Grant Programme to ensure the effective execution of projects related to cultural-touristic sector. Also, expert will support selected applicants and RDAs in developing action plans for implementing projects with maximum impact on pilot regions’ development.

Additionally, the expert will be participating as a speaker at planned cultural forums in Odesa and Volyn regions contributing to the theme of influence of cultural- touristic sector to the regional development.

Across all tasks, the expert will ensure alignment with UCORD objectives, compliance with relevant standards, and delivery of high-quality outcomes.

Scope of Work

Territorial branding & marketing initiatives

Collect the data for current situation with existing territorial branding in pilot oblasts and available request for initiative.
Designing concept for Territorial Branding initiative including drafting selection process among pilot oblast, setting eligibility criteria, evaluation principles and monitoring guidance.
Support the evaluation of oblasts’ applications for territorial branding initiative.
Design a bidding selection procedure for third party proposals on branding & marketing for selected pilot oblast.
Oversee the implementation of territorial branding & marketing initiative, providing mentorship support addressing emergent issues, and handling action plan for delivering results.

Renaissance Clusters Grant Programme

Conduct implementation mentorship sessions for the selected initiatives for the Renaissance Grant Programme to equip the beneficiaries with the necessary tools and knowledge for successful project implementation in cultural-touristic sectors.
Providing review and recommendations for evaluation committee of Full applications for Renaissance Clusters Grant Programme regarding those application that are planned in cultural-touristic sector.
Oversee the implementation issues of selected projects in cultural-touristic sector and providing mentorship sessions addressing emergent issues, and handling action plan for delivering results.
Assist RDAs in developing action plan for establishing collaborative relationships with selected projects for maximum impact on pilot regions’ development.
Conduct mentorship session during implementation phase for selected projects.

Cultural Forums in Volyn and Odesa oblast

Participate as a speaker in forums panel discussions, workshops, and roundtable.

Qualifications of the Consultant:

Education

A master’s degree in public administration, Tourism or Economics. An equivalent is at least ten years of experience in the field.

Relevant Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of professional expertise in formulating, overseeing, and managing projects in cultural-touristic field.
An understanding of the operations of Regional Development Agencies or similar public bodies.
A proven track record in implementing large-scale project in public area.

Skills

Excellent research and analytical abilities.
Proficient in articulating ideas through reports and presentations.
Strong written and communication skills
Knowledge of English.

Specific Knowledge

Reginal development & territorial branding

Reporting:

The expert reports to the UCORD Team Leader and relevant Component Leads.

Business travel:

The process of performing the tasks defined by this ToR and the Contract may require occasional business trips to place of residence different from the expert’s place of residence within Ukraine or abroad. In such cases, the business trip should be agreed upon in advance by the Project Leader, and a report on the business trip should be submitted after the return by the expert using the appropriate current templates developed by the Project and the addition of expense documents (invoices, receipts, acts etc.). Upon approval of the travel report, the expert will receive reimbursement for travel and accommodation expenses. Meals may be provided if included in the programme of activities.