Project Analyst, NPSA-9, DS-Kyiv, (National рosition)

Background

The war in Ukraine has already resulted in significant loss of life, unprecedented displacement, internally and towards neighbouring countries, and devastating destruction of infrastructure. The security situation and the overall operational environment have deteriorated rapidly since the outbreak of war on February 24, 2022. The UN Ukraine Flash Appeal indicates that a minimum of 15.7 million people urgently require emergency assistance and protection.

According to the second Ukraine Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (February 2022 – February 2023) undertaken jointly by the World Bank, the Government of Ukraine, the European Commission, and the United Nations, and supported by other partners, direct damage in Ukraine has reached over US$135 billion, with housing, transport, energy, and commerce and industry the most affected sectors. Damage is concentrated in the frontline oblasts, particularly Donetsk, Kharkiv, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv oblasts, and in oblasts that were brought back under government control, such as Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts. Reconstruction and recovery needs, as of February 24, 2023, are estimated at about US$411 billion. 

Following the sector of housing, the education and healthcare sectors are the most affected by the war that have recorded substantial damage and losses. 

The war has caused at least US$4.4 billion in damage to education institutions across Ukraine. As of February 24, 2023, at least 2,772 education institutions were partially damaged, and 454 were destroyed, amounting to around 10 percent of all education institutions (across all levels of education) in Ukraine.

The war has caused approximately US$2.5 billion in damage to the health sector infrastructure in Ukraine. According to the Ministry of Health registry, there were 15,084 health facilities of different types and ownership, including 9,925 public facilities, in Ukraine before the war. Damage or destruction was reported in 15.9 percent of public facilities (1,574 facilities) as of February 24, 2023. The total reconstruction and recovery needs are estimated at US$16.4 billion for the next 10 years. Out of these, US$3.6 billion is required to restore the health system and address increased health needs in the immediate to short term. 

Ukraine faces losses of many people’s lives and devastating destruction or damages of social infrastructure, and access to basic services, such as healthcare and education, have been severely disrupted, especially in already de-occupied regions where active hostilities took place. According to the Kyiv School of Economics, one of such regions is Chernihiv Oblast, which is on the list of the 10 most affected regions of Ukraine, with 6,364 mln USD of total estimated direct damages caused by military aggression. Hence, the needs of the region in the restoration of education and health infrastructure amount to 382.2 mln USD and 438 mln USD, respectively.

The National Council for the Recovery of Ukraine from the Consequences of War was created by the Decree of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyi, on April 21, 2022. In less than three months, it developed a draft of Ukraine’s National Recovery Plan (Plan) until 2032. At the beginning of the Plan, the general vision and principles on the basis of which recovery should take place are outlined. Moreover, the Plan envisages the reconstruction of social infrastructure as one of the key priorities for the government and other stakeholders. Among the principles of the Plan implementation is Build Back Better. In addition, the principles include openness and transparency, European integration, sustainable development, energy independence, inclusiveness and civil protection. 

The Overall Objective of the proposed project “Latvia for Chernihiv: reconstruction of social infrastructure” is to ensure the urgent and effective implementation of projects aimed at the rehabilitation of five social infrastructure facilities damaged as a result of the military aggression in Chernihiv Oblast, thus contributing the recovery of destroyed/damaged critical infrastructure, economic revitalization, maintenance of social fabric and reconciliation in those regions of Ukraine directly affected by the war.

In this regard, UNDP Ukraine invites applications from highly qualified and experienced professionals for the post of the Project Analyst.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent is expected to perform the following tasks:

            1. Provide technical advise in the field of procurement within the framework of the Latvia for Chernihiv project 

• Ensure full compliance of procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies;
• Support the procurement processes related to the implementation of projects funded under the Latvia for Chernihiv project to ensure that it is fair, competitive, transparent, ethical and provides the best value for money;
• Prepare specifications and other supportive documents to procure goods and services in line with the objectives and tasks of the Latvia for Chernihiv project;
• Ensure provision of capacity development to the relevant units and departments of oblast-, city- and rayon-level administrations in project identification, preparation, implementation (integrated project preparation and implementation cycle) through trainings, seminars, information-sharing events, etc.;
• Develop and management of the rosters of suppliers, elaboration of supplier selection and evaluation, quality and performance measurement mechanisms;
• Advise on the national legal requirements and procedures, and the international standards applicable to various procurements;
• Identifying unit costs and standard costs for typical and concrete sub-projects;
• Assessing for each sub-project any indicators of acquisition of sub-standard services and/or sub-standard equipment that could indicate malpractices.

  2.  Provide technical advise in the field of financial management within the framework of the Latvia for Chernihiv project

• Contribute to the monitoring of financial processes related to the implementation of projects by final beneficiaries of the Latvia for Chernihiv project in accordance with UNDP’s rules and regulations;
• Provide technical assistance to the Latvia for Chernihiv project  in terms of financial operational support at the contracting, implementation, supervision, and monitoring stages;
• Provide support in the elaboration of proper mechanisms to eliminate deficiencies in financial management; 
• Provide support in regular analysis and reporting on the delivery situation of the projects implemented under the Latvia for Chernihiv project;
• Contribute to the preparation of financial reports and forecasts, including monthly and quarterly disbursement reports and financial reports for donors; ensure the reports are prepared in an accurate manner.

             3.  Monitor and report on progress in implementing project activities

• Ensure technical support and guidance in establishing a project cycle profile with simple milestones for each phase of a project;
• Elaborate on and implement cost-saving and reduction strategies;
• Participate in relevant working group meetings and share information with local partners;
• Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in public procurement;
• Monitor field activities and provide technical support to ensure the objectives are met of the Latvia for Chernihiv project;
• Support regions and final beneficiaries (municipalities, other public bodies in target regions) to fine-tune needs assessment that takes into account different experiences and needs of women and men, establish priorities and identify specific early recovery projects;
• Identify and manage risks, as well as ensure that timely corrective actions are undertaken to ensure maximum benefit to the client and other stakeholders;
• Participate in the training for the programme/project personnel for further professional growth through active learning.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

 Required Skills and Experience

          Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Management, Economics, Social Sciences or any other related fields is required.
• A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree) in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience can be taken into consideration in lieu of a master’s degree.

  Experience:

• Minimum two (2) years (with Master’s degree) or four (4) years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in national or international level in procurement, finance, project development, management in the area of social infrastructure and or urban development/renewal, or related areas is required.
• Experience in use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages
• Experience in and knowledge of financial management, cost estimation, budget analysis
• Demonstrated ability to work on time-sensitive projects with tight deadlines
• Demonstrated experience in excellent data computation and reporting skills.

          Desired Skills: 

• Experience in the field of public procurement and/or audit procedures (local and international financial institutions (IFIs) is an asset
• Experience in and knowledge of the relevant Ukrainian national laws and procedures is an asset
• Experience working with PROZORRO would be an advantage
• Prior experience with the UN Agency, International Organization or in projects financed by international donors in the field of procurement and finance is desirable
• Experience working with multiple internal and external stakeholders including local partners at the national and municipal level in the international development context would be an advantage
• Experience in quality assurance and monitoring of project activities will be considered an asset

   Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Ukrainian is required for local staff. 

Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.   
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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Same Posting Description for Internal and External Candidates.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 15 Marach, 2024.

If you wish to apply for this or other positions, please visit UNDP in Ukraine website, section Jobs and apply:

https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/16713

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.