Вакансія: Advisor on Sustainable Economic Development

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in Ukraine is seeking a qualified professional for the project “Power4JustTransition” to fill the position of:

Advisor on Sustainable Economic Development (full-time, Lviv or Kyiv)

(internal SAP code: Advisor)

The project supports Ukraine in shaping the structural change associated with the coal phase – out and the reconstruction of the energy sector in accordance with the concepts of Just Transition and Green Recovery with special consideration of the effects of the war and the EU accession goals.

The project focuses on four fields of action: (1) the strategic, regulatory and institutional framework for Just Transition and Reconstruction in the context of EU approximation has been further developed, (2) stakeholders in coal regions have improved capacities for economically sustainable and socially just structural change, taking into account cross-cutting issues such as Leave No One Behind and gender sensitivity, (3) the financing mechanisms to support structural change in the coal regions have been strengthened, (4) rehabilitation of the energy infrastructure and green reconstruction are strengthened.

Regional and local level focuses at increasing capacities for economically sustainable and socially just structural change in coal regions (Lviv, Volyn, Dnipropetrovsk oblast and Ladyzhyn territorial community of Vinnytsia oblast), in particular: development and implementation of Territorial Just Transition Plans; implementation of TJTP support measures with a focus on measures to promote sustainable economic sectors and a sustainable energy supply; establishment and implementation of dialogue formats that strengthen confidence in the structural change and contribute to a positive attitude towards the transformation measures; establishing participatory structures to ensure that vulnerable groups such as internally displaced persons, women and former coal industry workers are also involved in structural change.

Areas of responsibilities

• Advise the Ukrainian partners and authorities on economic development, re-qualification, education policies in relation to structural change in coal regions.
• Providing support with pilot projects implementation in fields of sustainable economic development, employment promotion, (re)-qualification, educational and social programmes in the target regions.
• Define priorities and needs for external expertise through studies, prepare the relevant contractual documents, ensure quality control of the services delivered by external consultants.
• Facilitate regular multi-level stakeholder dialogue.

Tasks:

The Advisor on sustainable economic development performs the following tasks:

• Coordinating development and implementation of Territorial Just Transition Plans in the field of sustainable economic development, employment promotion, (re)-qualification, educational and social programmes.
• Advising the project on the issues related to sustainable economic development in the context of the coal regions in transition and energy transformation.
• Developing ideas for cooperation with the private sector with the focus on innovation and new skills.
• Advising to Vocational Education and Training (VET) stakeholders in the target regions and locations, including VET councils, VET schools, regional administrations, municipalities, employer associations and other social partners.
• Supporting regions and municipalities in the development of VET measures, employment services and social programmes.
• Providing informational guidance and support with training curricula development in the fields of qualifications, skills development, job opportunities advisory and professional exchange initiatives, together with VET providers and implementing partners.
• Engaging in the operational planning, priorities and activities of the team, together with the Component Manager and other team members.
• Maintaining regular contacts and good working relations with Ukrainian stakeholders on the regional and local level.
• Preparing Terms of References for contracts and ensuring quality and compliance with GIZ rules of the services provided by external experts and service providers.
• Developing and managing financial agreements implemented at the regional and municipal levels.
• Overseeing knowledge and data management, including collecting and disseminating good practices, success stories, and relevant information to enhance public awareness, visibility, and communication.
• Dealing with the design, preparation and implementation of workshops, seminars and other events on issues related to the advisor area of activity.
• Ensuring result-based monitoring and reporting of regional activities, events, achievements, and ongoing cooperation with partners.
• Ensuring adherence to operational procedures as well as compliance with GIZ standards and rules regarding procurement, contracts, financial management, communications, visibility, integrity, monitoring, reporting, HR, and document management systems.
• Coordinating the work of regional experts during their field visits and tasks implementation.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Economics, Administration, International Relations, Social Sciences or equivalent qualification.

Professional experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in economic regional/local development, just transition, businesses promotion, support of economic measures at municipal or regional level.

Other knowledge, additional competences:

• Experience working with or within regional and local administrations.
• Good understanding of socio-economic development at local level.
• Understanding of energy sector or cooperation with coal mining industry would be an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills, particularly in sensitive environments.
• Readiness to frequent business trips (depends on security situation).
• Proficiency in English and Ukrainian is required.
• Experience working in an international team environment.
• Good self-organization skills.
• Customer and service-oriented attitude.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Good working knowledge of ICT technologies and computer applications (e.g., MS Office).
• Willingness to acquire new skills as needed to fulfill task requirements.

We offer:

• Official employment.
• Salary fixed in EUR, performance-related bonuses and 13th salary.
• Medical insurance, 29 vacation days annually.
• Language classes, hard and soft skills trainings.
• Individual and group psychological support.
• Possible remote (up to 10 days per month) and flexible work.
• Meaningful and valuable work, international environment.

Employment conditions

Full-time position with 40-hours working week. The place of assignment is Lviv or Kyiv. The contract duration is until September 1st, 2026 with the possibility of extension. Starting as soon as possible.

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and offers an attractive and challenging working environment with opportunities for skill enhancement.

Application

Application comprising of the candidate’s CV and a cover letter in the English language explaining the motivation to apply for the job is to be sent to [email protected] until COB July 22, 2025, Tuesday.

Candidates are requested to submit their documents with the following title:

• Surname Name_CV
• Surname Name_Cover letter

By sending the application the candidate gives the consent for the personal data processing for recruitment processes solely. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stages of the recruitment process.