Фахівець/чиня із закупівель і будівельних проєктів / Procurement and Construction Specialist

Cowater International is looking for Procurement and Construction Specialist based in Kyiv for U-RESTORE project. 

U-RESTORE is a five-year initiative, running from 2025 to 2030, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Cowater International in partnership with Ukrainian civil society. The project seeks to strengthen the resilience of women, groups in vulnerable situations, and communities in 12 hromadas across two oblasts in government-controlled areas of Ukraine by fostering a collaborative and transparent local recovery process. U-RESTORE increases the effectiveness of national ministries and hromadas in coordinating and managing gender-responsive and inclusive recovery, while strengthening Ukrainian civil society to influence recovery decision-making and hold government accountable. The project implements social infrastructure reconstruction and small-scale economic development activities responding to priority community needs identified through Local Recovery Committees (LRCs).

Description of Position

The Procurement and Construction Specialist is responsible for supporting the end-to-end procurement of construction works, goods, and services under U-RESTORE’s Recovery Fund, and for coordinating the implementation monitoring and documentation of construction and refurbishment/repairs activities to ensure that they are properly scoped, competitively tendered, compliant with Cowater and GAC standards, and completed in accordance with approved requirements.

Working under the direct supervision of the Administrative and Procurement Manager and DTL-O and in close coordination with the Project Team, the Specialist ensures that procurement processes remain transparent and defensible to Local Recovery Committees while supporting coordination with contractors, engineers, architects, hromadas, and other technical stakeholders throughout implementation.

Key responsibilities

1. Procurement of Construction Works and Related Goods/Services under Local Recovery Fund

• Under supervision of the APM, manage the full procurement cycle — planning, solicitation, evaluation, contracting, and delivery — for goods and services, including structural and non-structural construction, , and small-scale infrastructure works financed through the Recovery Fund (e.g., schools, clinics, community centers), in line with the approved Construction Validation Plans, Environmental Management Plans and in full compliance with Global Affairs Canada rules and regulations.
• Conduct surveys and vendor prequalification to identify potential construction companies and engineering firms available in the local market.
• Ensure that proposed construction-related activities are correctly classified as structural or non-structural works for planning, procurement, environmental screening, approval, monitoring, and reporting purposesProvide inputs to Construction Validation Plans (CVPs) for structural works within the required timelines, and lighter-package submissions (site-specific scope, budget, and schedule) for non-structural works, ensuring no construction activity begins prior to receiving GAC’s written approval.
• Identify, engage, and coordinate with independent accredited engineers and architects or engineering and architectural firms for all construction works, ensuring Progress Reports on Construction and Certificates of Completion are reviewed and signed off as required.
• Prepare terms of reference and related documentation for establishing local long-term arrangements for engineering and architectural services, including design, site surveys/technical assessments, technical supervision, and designer’ssupervision. in coordination with relevant technical experts and project staff.
• Support the preparation and issuance of tender documents for construction-related works and services, including bills of quantities, technical specifications, drawings, and other technical inputs prepared or validated by qualified engineers, architects, or technical consultants, as applicable.
• Organize and document bid solicitation (RFQ/ITB/RFP as applicable), bidders’ conferences, technical and financial evaluation, bidders’ due-diligence, and contract award, ensuring full compliance with Cowater and GAC procurement guidelines and Ukrainian legislation.
• Maintain complete, audit-ready procurement documentation using digital tracking tools, and ensure transparency of the construction procurement process to Local Recovery Committees composed of hromada and civil society organizations (CSO) representatives.
• Monitor supplier and contractor performance during implementation, including site progress relative to contract milestones, in coordination with the technical consultant(s) assigned to each site.

Support inclusive and locally responsive procurement by encouraging the participation of qualified local and, where possible, women-led contractors and suppliers, while ensuring that all procurement processes remain open, fair, competitive, transparent

2. Construction Contract Administration

• Review contractor and supplier payment requests, variation requests and compile supporting documents in line with milestone-based payment terms (e.g., advance payment upon commencement, interim payments upon reaching agreed construction milestones, and retention released only upon third-party monitoring certification and formal acceptance by the competent government entity); monitor construction expenditures and progress certificates. Maintain a payment, variation, retention, progress certificate, and expenditure tracking table for each construction-related activity.
• Provide support to APM in contract management, including contract amendments, variations, duration extensions, applying liquidated damages, contractor correspondence and issue resolutions. Ensure that all documents/information required for contract management are available, accurate, complete and properly reviewed by relevant technical/project staff
• Participate in the partial, substantial and final reception of works in coordination with the project team, hromada/facility representatives, contractors, and assigned technical consultants, engineers, architects, or competent authorities, as applicable. Support the documentation of defects, correction of deficiencies, completion certificates, acceptance records, handover documents, and transferable warranties/guarantees, and ensure that warranty and defect-liability obligations are tracked for the required defect liability period (minimum 12 months from the Certificate of Completion, or longer where specified in the CVP or contract).

3. Compliance and Documentation

• Ensure all procurement and consultant contracting activities comply with Cowater’s internal controls, Ukrainian legislation, and GAC’s fiduciary requirements.
• Maintain and regularly update procurement and consultant registers (vendor lists, contractor performance records, consultant roster).
• Support preparation of documentation for internal reviews and external audits, including timely and accurate reporting on construction procurement status.

4. Coordination and Reporting

• Provide regular status updates to the APM and DTL-O on procurement pipelines, consultant deployment, and any risks to project timelines.
• Contribute to donor reporting on construction and procurement progress as required.

5. Other

• Assist the APM with the full cycle of operational and programmatic procurements as needed.
• Support the DTLO in developing the annual work plan related to Local Recovery Fund activities and the consultants pool.

Job requirements

Education

• University degree in in Procurement/Supply Chain Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Management or a related field.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CIPS, PMP, or construction category certification such as CC2, CC3) are a strong asset.

Minimum Experience

• At least 5 years of progressive experience in procurement, incl. at least 2 years of experience in construction-related procurement, ideally within international development, humanitarian, or donor-funded reconstruction projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of construction procurement systems in Ukraine and experience applying donor procurement rules (Global Affairs Canada or similar).
• Commitment to human rights, gender equality, and social inclusion principles.
• Strong organizational, coordination, and communication skills; high degree of integrity and attention to detail.
• Proficient in MS Office and digital procurement/tracking tools.
• Experience working with Prozorro platform is an asset.
• Familiarity with donor construction approval processes (e.g., Construction Validation Plans, environmental and safety screening for physical works) and experience coordinating independent competent authorities (engineers/architects) for construction supervision is a strong asset.

Language Proficiency

Working level of English and proficiency in Ukrainian required.

Employment Conditions

The ideal candidate is a Ukrainian national currently residing in Kyiv, with the flexibility to travel to regional project offices and construction sites as required. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Process 

The application deadline is August 09, 2026. To be considered, please send you CV and motivation letter using the following format: Last Name, First Name – Position Title, Salary Expectations to [email protected].

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We particularly welcome and encourage applications from women, individuals of diverse backgrounds and identities, as well as Ukrainian nationals. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer. Employment is based on merit and qualifications relevant to professional experience and position requirements. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other status protected by law.

We thank all applicants; however, only those shortlisted will be contacted.

About Us

Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company founded in 1985. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada and with corporate hubs in Montreal, Canada, Brussels, Belgium, and London, UK. Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements, and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.