Project Management Specialist (Rule of Law)

Огляд

The USAID Mission to Ukraine is responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of USAID-funded programs operating throughout Ukraine. USAID development assistance promotes Ukraine’s transition to a democratic, prosperous, stable, healthy country united in its European aspirations. The vacancy involves work at The Office of Democracy and Governance (ODG), one of the Mission’s three Kyiv-based technical offices, plans, monitors, and evaluates a large, dynamic portfolio of contracts and cooperative agreements spanning some of the country’s highest-priority reform, recovery, and reintegration issues.

The Rule of Law Specialist will focus on supporting justice sector reforms, particularly efforts to enhance judicial integrity and accountability. The principal role of the Rule of Law Specialist is to design, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of ODG’s activities supporting justice sector reforms and promoting rule of law. This professional will serve as a Contracting or Agreement Officer’s Representative (COR/AOR) for one or more complex activities implemented primarily by U.S. non-governmental organizations, development contractors and/or Ukrainian civil society organizations.

Обов'язки

1.Activity Management: 40%

The Specialist’s primary responsibility is to manage and assist in the day-to-day management of Office of Democracy Governance (ODG) technical assistance and grant activities:

• serving as the contracting/agreement officer’s representative (i.e, lead project manager) or alternate for a number of complex, sensitive activities within this portfolio
• providing USAID and its implementing partners with technical direction on key rule of law, justice sector, and judicial reform issues in order to make programmatic decisions
• reviewing vouchers, sub-grants, annual implementation plans, performance monitoring plans, key personnel, and other issues requiring USAID involvement
• conducting financial management tasks related to ODG activities, such as monitoring spending, tracking accruals, and preparing regular pipeline analyses
• conducting site visits to monitor ODG activities, which may require travel within Ukraine, as well as regular in-person interactions and correspondence with partners and stakeholders
• tracking partner performance against activity- and strategic-level objectives and results
• tracking partner reporting and deliverables, with an emphasis on oversight of taxpayer funds and communicating USAID’s work in Ukraine to local and external audiences
• maintaining award management files
• drafting daily activity bullets, program briefs, readouts from meetings and events, briefers for other USAID and USG officials, and other reporting as required
• as requested, occasionally supporting other programs in the ODG portfolio and general office needs, such as organizing meetings and events, participating in working groups, arranging Embassy services, and/or acting as a site officer for Mission or USG official trips

2. Strategic Planning and Coordination: 30%

• the Rule of Law Specialist will help shape Office of Democracy Governance’s input into Mission strategic planning by providing analysis and recommendations on rule of law and justice sector reform issues
• working closely with other members of the Anti-Corruption and Rule of Law team, including the Senior Rule of Law Specialist, this professional will monitor developments related to the rule of law and justice sector reform in Ukraine, identify emerging trends and issues, and ensure USAID’s programs are designed and managed to respond to needs, opportunities, and challenges
• s/he will stay abreast of international best practices and innovations in the rule of law field and contribute to the design and adaptation of program strategies; conduct research and analysis to support current and future programming; prepare briefing materials; and brief USAID stakeholders, including Mission management, on developments in the sector.

3. Coordination, Representation, and Communication: 30%

• the Rule of Law Specialist develops and maintains relationships with USAID stakeholders, other donors, GOU counterparts, civil society organizations, professional associations, implementing partners, and other stakeholders to promote collaboration and coordination in advancing rule of law and justice sector reform initiatives
• s/he may be required to represent USAID in external meetings related to the coordination of donor efforts in this field
• the Rule of Law Specialist may provide internal guidance to ODG leadership on needs and program opportunities related to rule of law, judicial integrity, and related issues and may develop initial concepts and design papers for proposed initiatives and funding consideration.
• this professional will also collaborate with other technical teams within the Mission to ensure effective integration of rule of law activities into broader development programs

The contractor is eligible for temporary duty (TDY) travel to the U.S., or to other Missions abroad, to participate in the "Foreign Service National" Fellowship Program, in accordance with USAID policy.

Вимоги

• education: minimum of undergraduate-level degree (B.A., LL.B. or equivalent) from an accredited institution in law, jurisprudence, public policy, public administration, management, or international affairs is required
• work experience: at least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in the field of legal policy, justice sector reform, and/or anti-corruption
• prior work experience could include direct experience in civil society advocacy or activity management, management of donor projects, working with leaders or influencers among Ukrainian civil society and government on judicial reform issues; and/or experience implementing government reform priorities is required
• language proficiency: fluent in English and native facility in Ukrainian
• advanced understanding of the capacity, needs, and challenges of Ukraine’s justice sector institutions and how rule of law and justice sector reforms fit into the larger context of the Government of Ukraine (GOU) and civil society’s overall policy priorities, recovery agenda, and anti-corruption efforts
• strong understanding of the perspectives of civil society and international donors on these matters
• substantial technical knowledge of key players in areas relevant to this position
• excellent listening, written, and verbal communication skills, particularly for working across USAID teams and with external stakeholders at varying levels
• strong learning agility, critical thinking, and ability to adapt to new or changing situations and responsibilities.
• ability to synthesize data and trends from multiple sources, recognize significant developments, and clearly communicate their impact on USAID programs and Ukraine’s reform and recovery priorities
• ability to plan and manage complex projects and draft relevant USAID-required documentation with a great deal of independence
• excellent teamwork skills, including the ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural, team-based environment
• ability to handle sensitive issues with professionalism, tact, and diplomacy
• strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritize and balance both complex and administrative tasks under tight deadlines
• ability to read, understand and analyze budgets
• good working knowledge of MS Office and Google suite
• vacancy is open to Ukrainian Nationals (residency/Ukrainian work permit Required)

Умови

• full time (40 hours)
• work in Kyiv, Ukraine
• five-year period of performance with possibility of extension
• market value: Basic Annual Rate (in U.S. Dollars): $32,180 - $41,841
• benefits:
  • health and life insurance coverage: provided under the Compensation Plan
  • Defined Contribution Plan: upon separation, a lump sum benefit equal to 12% of the basic salary earned for the duration worked under the appointment
• allowances (as applicable):
  • meal allowances: annual amount is $853 for employees working on a full-time basis
  • family allowances: the mission provides a child allowance. Grants amounts are subject to change as determined by the Ukrainian State Budget Law
  • unique conditions of work allowances/benefits: 10% of Basic Rate. Additional information may be provided to the selected offeror at the time of the salary offer
• taxes: apply and are deductible as per the Ukrainian government regulations