The legal basis for the joint programme is the Legal Annex for the Transitional Framework 2022-2023 which currently serves as a bridging document between the previous UN-Ukraine Partnership Framework (2018-2022) and the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2024-2027). Additionally, the present Joint Programme is built upon the engagement between the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence which was materialized through the signed ‘Framework of Cooperation between the Government of Ukraine and the United Nations on the Prevention and Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence’.

The present programme was mainly designed in response to the needs expressed by the Ukrainian authorities in the course of the development of the Framework of Cooperation on the prevention and response to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) signed between the United Nations and the Government of Ukraine in May 2022 and the development of the related Implementation Plan (IP) which intends to coordinate the efforts related to CRSV response of a broad range of stakeholders, including international partners, UN agencies, government entities and civil society organizations. In this view, the Joint Programme will create the critical infrastructure in Ukraine that can take over this work and enable an in-person should-to-shoulder collaboration with the Ukrainian government pushing the implementation the Framework of Cooperation (FoC) forward by responding to the immediate needs that the Inter-Ministerial Working Group is experiencing in terms of human resources.

The present programme is fully aligned with CEDAW Convention provisions, its general recommendation No. 30 (2013) on women in conflict prevention, conflict and post-conflict situations and the recent Concluding Observations of the CEDAW Committee on the ninth periodic report of Ukraine [CEDAW/C/UKR/9] issued at the occasion of its 1921st and 1923rd meetings held in October 2022. The Joint Programme practically responds to a number of recommendations expressed by the Committee (especially paragraph 16).

The Office of the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy and members of the Interdepartmental Working Group on combating sexual violence are implementing the Action Plan with a focus on five critical areas: (i) trafficking in persons for the purpose of sexual exploitation, (ii) provision of comprehensive assistance to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, (iii) access to justice and accountability, (iv) strengthening the capacity of the security and defense sector to prevent and address CRSV, and (iv) reparations and compensation. The Office of the SRSG-SVC co-chairs each of the inter-agency working groups dedicated to these themes together with UN agencies present in Ukraine.

While driving the plan forward in a volatile conflict-affected environment, the national authorities have sought strategic and technical support to coordinate and assist with the roll-out of the Implementation Plan. To bridge these gaps, the present project responds to this request, outlining the provision of technical support and expertise to Government institutions and relevant UN entities, which will work in collaboration with civil society organizations and first responders in implementing the FoC through: (i) policy development, (ii) training/awareness raising, and (iii) support to survivors.

To this end, a Joint Secretariat comprising representatives of the Office of the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy of Ukraine and relevant UN entities will be established to support the Government’s Interdepartmental Working Group in developing and coordinating activities within the Implementation Plan. As a critical component of this project, the Government of Ukraine identified the need to be supported by 6 national experts on conflict-related sexual violence to be deployed in four government institutions, namely: the Deputy Prime Minister’s office for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, the Office of the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality and Policy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Social Service of Ukraine. Concurrently, a team of Women Protection Advisers, will be deployed to support the UN Country Team in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions, especially resolution 2467 (2019), in support of the Joint Secretariat that is responsible for coordinating the overall implementation of the Framework of Cooperation, as co-signatories of the agreement, and its Implementation Plan.

Under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist, DG (Team Leader), Project Manager will be responsible for the following key tasks: 

1. Ensure overall operational management of the programme “Ukraine Joint Programme on CRSV project” and pilot catalytic initiatives in the area of rule of law, access to justice and human rights and delivery of results in accordance with the programme document and work plans and other joint agreements between the Government and UNDP.

• Ensure timely preparation, update and implementation of annual and detailed implementation work plans and pilot catalytic initiatives in the area of rule of law, access to justice and human rights and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of the project activities
• Assume direct responsibility for managing the project budget in compliance with the project’s business processes with UNDP Ukraine Standard Operating Procedures, ensuring that:

–      project funds are made available when needed, and are disbursed properly;

–      accounting records and supporting documents are kept;

–      required financial reports are prepared;

–      financial operations are transparent; and the project is ready to stand up to audit at any time;

• Liaise with government institutions, specifically those related with implementation of human rights related policies, to ensure synergy and to promote effective implementation of the projects and communication with UNDP representatives.
• Provide substantive input to the project activities, ultimate in-project quality assurance for achieving the overall project outputs, ensure timely implementation of project activities, including reporting on progress vis-à-vis planned activities and expected outputs. Attend relevant meetings and working groups
• Act as a principal representative of the project during assurance review meetings, evaluations and in discussions and, hence, be responsible for preparation of review and evaluation reports such as the Mid-Term and Annual Project Report (APR) for the consideration of the UNDP management;.
• Schedule regular check-ins with government counterparts and support in organizing joint events
• Ensure full alignment of the project work with national priorities
• Assure correct personnel management and procurement of goods/services;

    2. Facilitate the collection, analysis and interpretation of data in the field of project implementation in the target regions and on human rights in Ukraine in general

• Collect and analyze project monitoring data and indicators, including gender-specific data and indicators at the sub-national and national levels.
• Write and/or provide expert input into a variety of reports, communications, briefings, statements, etc.
• Prepare analytical reports/overviews
• Conduct substantive research and analysis of human rights issues/events and assess their impact on the human rights situation, provide recommendations to the OO related to its mandate implementation and the capacity building
• Prepare regular updates for UNDP on the progress in the joint areas of work
• Provide HR related inputs into regular reports of the project to the donor and produce ad-hoc reports when requested by counterparts to ensure UNDP work is duly promoted

  3. Facilitating dialogue and collaborative learning with project partners and other stakeholders, including authorities, international and civil society organizations. Leading the development and delivery of workshops and training activities for stakeholders. 

• Represent the project at public events.
• Assess implications and make recommendations to UNDP on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern and to advance mandated objectives.
• Interact closely with UNDP personnel in preparing summary and analytical documents, including reports, notes, talking points and other sensitive and confidential official communications.

4. Consult and cooperate with partners to develop strategies and recommendation to project challenges, including accessibility of human right mechanisms and access to legal services, preparation of the plans for building capacities of the national partners in the sphere.

  5. Foster effective working relations with the UNDP colleagues and counterparts, Government representatives, National Human Rights Institution, legal service providers, civil society representatives, academic and research institutions, and other national and international partners on information-sharing, policy and coordination matters. 

 6. Help identify entry points for further enhancing UNDP-Government collaboration across strategic partner institutions. 

    7. Support in convening the officials’ meetings and help prepare the required documentation in advance of the meetings, including drafting talking points and speeches for UNDP officials, identify priority legislative and government relations issues for the UNDP.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, DG (Team Leader), and in close coordination with other portfolios and all UNDP Country Office (CO) team, promoting client-oriented approach and compliance to UNDP rules and regulations.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, law, international relations, political science, or related field is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of a Master’s degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience :

Minimum 5 years (with Master’s degree) or 7 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible experience in the area of human rights, advocacy, promotion, protection, monitoring and/or reporting, including collaboration with civil society organizations is required.

Required skills:

• Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc).
• Proficiency in handling of web-based management systems.
• Experience with and demonstrated knowledge of Development Effectiveness and cooperation, gender equality and its related issues will be considered an asset.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Experience of working in Quantum and proven knowledge of UNDP project management procedures will be considered an asset.
• Proven experience of cooperation with governmental institutions at national and sub-national level  dealing with implementation of human rights related policies will be considered an asset.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Ukrainian is required for local staff.

Professional Certificates:

Project management certification will be considered an advantage.