Експерт/ка з просування регіонального експорту (аналітик/иня проєкту)

Position: National Short-Term Expert on regional export promotion (project analyst) 
Location: Kyiv (hybrid) 
Expected start date: 27.04.2026 
Duration of assignment: 27.04.2026 – 30.10.2026 
Number of working days:  up to 45 days 

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 six pilot oblasts of Ukraine: Khmelnytska, Odeska, Sumska, Ternopilska, Volynska 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. 

In the six pilot oblasts, RDAs are taking on a more structured role in supporting regional economic development. Their work includes mapping regional economic strengths, facilitating cluster development, supporting Industrial Zone development and supporting start-ups and SME’s. In consultations across these initiatives, companies consistently highlight the need to access international markets to grow. While businesses receive support to start, grow, network, and locate within organised industrial environments, many lack structured guidance on export processes, market-entry requirements, and international positioning.  

This initiative responds directly to that gap. RDAs will act as focal points for coordinating stakeholders, facilitating export mapping and needs assessment, and piloting structured export case-management at the regional level. With technical support delivered through UCORD in cooperation with EPPO, RDAs will strengthen their capacity to fulfil this role. The experience gained through this pilot phase will inform the design and expansion of regional export support in UCORD Phase 2. This require expert which will provide comprehensive support across the project focusing on RDA SME Support schemes. This involves building competencies of selected RDAs and BSOs on methodology of SMEs needs assessment and exporter mapping as well as ability to use regional and national statistics to monitor the state of SMEs. Also the expert will contribute to exporter mapping within each preselected region and identify priority sectors and clusters that warrant in-depth analysis and targeted support in future.   

In this context, under Component 1, UCORD is looking to engage National Short-Term Expert for export promotion (project analyst), who is expected to perform the following tasks: 

• The expert will contribute to the SMEs Needs Assessment and Exporter Mapping together with other engaged experts of the Project by contributing to the development of the methodology for exporter mapping and identification of priority sectors in each region, as well as the development of 6 regional reports reflecting SMEs and exporter mapping.  
• The expert will provide mentorship and capacity building for selected regional development agencies and BSOs on supporting SMEs in developing export capabilities, specifically focusing on the methodology of SMEs needs assessment and exporter mapping; this includes developing templates and methodologies, and conducting practical workshops and group coaching sessions.   
• The expert will identify priority sectors and clusters in each region and assess the barriers and opportunities faced by SMEs in entering and expanding their presence in international markets.  

Candidate Qualifications 

Education & Knowledge: 

A master’s degree in public administration, Economics, Law, Finance, History or an associated field.    

Experience: 

• A minimum of 5 years of professional expertise in data analysis and data visualisations, working with open data and statistics.  
• An understanding of the operations of Regional Development Agencies and previous experience in mentoring and consulting regional government bodies on open data policy and SME research.  
• A proven track record of training delivery, with experience engaging regional stakeholders considered an added advantage.  

Skills: 

• Excellent research and analytical abilities.  
• Minimum 5 years of training experience   
• Proficient in articulating ideas through reports and presentations.  
• Strong written and communication skills  
• Knowledge of English.  

Specific Knowledge  

• Data analysis and visualization, data engineering.  

The proposal should contain the following documents:  

• A cover letter demonstrating the candidate’s suitability for the position and summarizing relevant experience. 
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV) detailing qualifications and professional experience, including a minimum of three contact references. 
• The preferred daily rate. 
• Note: Candidates must be registered as a Private Entrepreneur (PE), 3rd group, as this is required for contract signing. 
• Interested applicants should send their proposals to [email protected] no later than April 21, 2026