Sеnіоr Ехреrt оn ЕU Іntеgrаtіоn, Саtеgоrу 1

1. Objective(s) and Linkages to Reforms

The Recovery and Reform Support Team (RST) at the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine (Ministry) is a group of Ukrainian professionals (non-civil servants) funded on a temporary basis through the Ukraine Recovery and Reform Architecture (URA)^[1] programme that provides targeted technical support and assists the Ministry in the design and implementation of priority reforms. The RST will assist in filling capacity gaps in the design and implementation of priority reform strategies and programmes, while strengthening links and partnerships between the Ministry`s priorities and relevant donor support.

Priority areas for the RST at the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine will be: 

• Transport Infrastructure;
• Municipal Infrastructure;
• Regional Development and Decentralisation;
• Digitalisation;
• Public Administration Reform and Capacity Building;
• Public Investment Management. 

EU transport legislation aims at improving the functioning of the internal market by promoting safe, efficient and environmentally sound and user-friendly transport services. The transport acquis covers the sectors of road transport, railways, inland waterways, combined transport, aviation, and maritime transport. It relates to technical and safety standards, security, social standards, state aid control and market liberalisation in the context of the internal transport market. 

The establishment and development of Trans-European Networks, along with the promotion of proper interconnection and interoperability of national networks, aim to fully exploit the potential of the internal market and contribute to economic growth and job creation in the European Union. 

The adaptation of Ukrainian legislation to that of the European Union and the achievement of compliance with the national legal system with the acquis communautaire are priority components of Ukraine’s integration into the European Union. Implementation of the acquis into the national legal system is a prerequisite for completing the process of Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Harmonisation of national legislation with the requirements and rules of the European Union involves evaluating existing laws to identify gaps and inconsistencies, proposing amendments or new provisions, and offering legal support throughout the legislative process, from development to advocacy and final adoption.

2. Position and Reporting Line

The Senior Expert will be a full-time consultant in the RST cross-sectoral team and report to the RST Director and Senior Project Manager (SPM) on EU Integration. The consultant will closely collaborate with deputy ministers responsible for reforms related to European integration and the ongoing screening of Ukrainian legislation alignment with the EU acquis, and coordinate with the Ministry’s Department of International Cooperation and European Integration.

3. Duration of the Assignment

The consultancy appointment is expected to start in September 2025. Duration of the assignment is subject to the availability of project funding, the consultant’s performance, and the specific requirements of the RST.

4. Main Duties, Responsibilities and Deliverables

Main duties and responsibilities

The Senior Expert is expected to support the Ministry with the following: 

• effective exchange, integration, and coordination of information and timely preparation of inputs and documentation for the official screening under negotiation Chapter 14 “Transport Policy” and Chapter 21 “Trans-European Networks”;
• analysis of European legislation and policies according to EU acquis Chapter 14 “Transport Policy” and Chapter 21 “Trans-European Networks”;
• drafting laws and bylaws, including those required to implement EU legislation, and preparing accompanying materials for these drafts;
• collection, research and analysis of relevant documents and materials (e.g. plans, reports, analyses and proposals) on the alignment of the Ukrainian legislation with the EU acquis;
• participation in public discussions with the Government of Ukraine and private sector experts on topics related to Chapters 14 “Transport Policy” and Chapter 21 “Trans-European Networks”;
• preparation of background materials (e.g., presentations) for official meetings held as part of the EU accession screening process;
• analysing and processing information related to the negotiating chapters and developing accessible materials to support Ministry officials in technical discussions and communication with EU institutions and national stakeholders;
• other responsibilities as assigned by the RST Director. 

Expected deliverables: 

• analytical materials on the screening of the alignment of Ukrainian legislation with the EU acquis;
• drafting laws and bylaws, including those required to implement EU legislation and accompanying materials for these drafts;
• comprehensive analytical assessment of current Ukrainian and EU legislation in the fields of Chapter 14 “Transport Policy” and Chapter 21 “Trans-European Networks”;
• explanatory framework for negotiation Chapter 14 “Transport Policy” and Chapter 21 “Trans-European Networks”;
• reports on the Ministry’s progress in the implementation of the European Union legal acts under negotiation Chapter 14 “Transport Policy” and Chapter 21 “Trans-European Networks”;
• liaison reports and coordination inputs prepared for engagement with representatives of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine regarding Chapter 14 “Transport Policy” and Chapter 21 “Trans-European Networks”. 

The specified lists of the scope of work, services and expected deliverables can be modified and supplemented on request from the Ministry and in agreement with the EBRD and the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

5. Qualifications, Skills and Experience

5.1. Qualifications and Skills: 

• Master’s degree in Law, Transport, Public Policy or other relevant field;
• a post-graduate degree in Project Management, Public Administration/Public Affairs, or International Relations is an advantage;
• good understanding of the Ministry`s reforms and relevant regulations/legislation;
• good understanding of the EU regulations, namely Chapter 14 “Transport Policy” and Chapter 21 “Trans-European Networks”;
• experience in public speaking and public presentations is an advantage;
• strong analytical, communication and presentation skills;
• impeccable ethical standards, and outstanding leadership skills;
• PC literacy in Microsoft software (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Project), Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Docs);
• fluency in Ukrainian and English.

 5.2. Professional Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of general professional experience;
• minimum 5 years of experience in EU integration-related project management, policy coordination, or technical assistance within government bodies/initiatives or donor funded projects/public policy in transport domain;
• experience in drafting laws, bylaws, and other legal acts.

5.3. Other Competencies:

• Proven knowledge in international stakeholder communication, including engagement with EU institutions, donor-funded projects, and technical assistance teams in the context of EU integration processes;
• familiarity with current Ukraine’s reform agenda, good understanding of policy formulation processes and policy dialogues;
• experience with government entities and their mandate and processes is an asset;
• impeccable ethical standards.

6. Funding Source

The funding source of this assignment is the EBRD Ukraine Stabilisation and Sustainable Growth Multi-Donor Account (MDA). Contributors to the MDA are Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

Please note, selection and contracting will be subject to the availability of funding.

7. Submissions

Submissions must be prepared in English only and be delivered electronically by September 01, 2025, 23:59 (Kyiv time) to [email protected]

All submissions must include:

• a completed Application Form;
• the candidate’s Curriculum Vitae;
• NDA form;
• contact details of three referees who, if contacted, can attest to the professional and/or educational background of the candidate.

Important notice: only Ukrainian nationals are eligible to apply; civil servants are not eligible to apply unless 6 months have elapsed since they left such employment.

Only applications, which have been submitted using the correct template and are fully completed, will be considered.

8. Selection Procedure

Following the evaluation of all applications received, selected candidates may be invited to the written tests. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to the interview.

[1] Ukraine Recovery and Reform Architecture (URA) is a comprehensive technical assistance programme deployed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in partnership with the European Union, to support critical recovery and reform processes in Ukraine. URA is financed from the Ukraine Stabilisation and Sustainable Growth Multi-Donor Account (MDA) managed by the EBRD.