Policy Advisor (Local Economic Development)

About the Position

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is seeking for the programme “U-LEAD with Europe: Ukraine – Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development Programme” a qualified staff member to fill the position of the Policy Advisor (Local Economic Development), (full-time, Vinnytsia), (internal SAP code: Advisor).

In the last few years, Ukraine has developed and adopted various laws in favor of an ambitious decentralization reform, which reshapes the relations between the national, regional and local levels and builds institutional capacity. The success of the decentralization reform greatly depends on the coordination and cooperation between different stakeholders involved into reform implementation at the national, regional and local levels. Given the important new tasks, responsibilities and financial resources that local self-governments have gained, the implementation of the reform must be accompanied by expert advice, trainings and diverse support measures. U-LEAD (Ukraine – Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development) is a special measure which is conducted as a multi-donor action by the EU and its member states Germany, Denmark, France, Austria, Poland, and Slovenia to support the Ukrainian government in the implementation of the decentralization reform.

For our Vinnytsia regional office we are looking for an experienced and highly motivated policy advisor with an innovative mind-set, a strong team player with solid knowledge of decentralization and economic aspects of local self-government with practical experience of supporting municipalities in the course of decentralization reform implementation.

Responsibilities

• Providing capacity-building and consultative support to municipalities in Vinnytsia oblast in the areas of local economic development, strategic planning, international municipal cooperation and EU integration aimed at assisting them to efficiently perform tasks and carry out new responsibilities acquired in the course of reforms’ implementation and European integration.
• Contributing to policy analysis.
• Ensuring good communication and information flow with all stakeholders (political and implementation partners and within the GIZ team) and supporting them.
• Contributing to the planning, monitoring and evaluation processes at U-LEAD Regional Office.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in the field of Economics, Management, Finance, Public Administration, Law, Project Management or other relevant fields.
• At least 2 years’ work experience in the economic sector and/or in public sector, in local self-government bodies or in an NGO.
• Proven track record of involvement in the implementation of the decentralization reform for the period of at least one year.
• Proven experience in elaborating municipality development strategic plans and local economic development projects.
• Proven experience in developing economic and social development programs, as well as local targeted development programs.
• Sound knowledge of municipal management and development (including strategic planning and management, business support, rural development), tools for fostering local economic development.
• Experience working with community recovery and resilience instruments, as well as with the DREAM platform or other government digital systems is an asset.
• Knowledge of and experience of project management in municipalities is an asset.
• Deep understanding of the specific set-up, its actors and political environment of respective oblast.
• Knowledge and experience of capacity building of adults is an asset.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Team player with excellent communication skills, including public outreach.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• High degree of self-organization.
• Very good Ukrainian language skills. English or/and German is an asset.
• Good computer skills (MS Office Suite, Excel, PowerPoint etc.).

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 flexible and remote work (depending on projects’ needs up to 10 days a month within Ukrainian border).
• Meaningful and valuable work, international environment.

Employment Conditions

Full-time position with 40-hours working week. Place of assignment is Vinnytsia. Starting as soon as possible. The end of the contract – 31.12.2027 with the possibility of prolongation.

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic.

We particularly encourage veterans and people with disabilities to apply.

Application

We are looking forward to your application in English, comprising your CV and a Cover letter explaining your motivation to apply for the job to @email until COB 24 July 2026, Friday. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stages of the recruitment process.

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

• Surname Name_CV
• Surname Name_Cover letter

By sending the application you give the consent for the personal data processing for recruitment processes solely according to GIZ data privacy regulations. You can familiarize yourself with these regulations by the link Data protection | GIZ.