Sustainability Specialist

Following the Maidan revolution of 2013/14, reform has moved to the top of the agenda for the Ukrainian government and its international partners. Within that context, reform of the civilian security sector has been identified as a key priority.

The UNOPS Ukraine Office has been established in April 2017. At present UNOPS manages an extensive portfolio of projects in Ukraine and is seeking to expand its delivery. Accordingly, UNOPS is now shifting direct representational and oversight functions to Ukraine.

UNOPS works with multiple partners including the Governments of Ukraine, bilateral and multilateral donors, and United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programme. In keeping with EU-Ukraine Association Agreement of 27 June 2014 and other Government reform initiatives, UNOPS is particularly interested in strengthening its coordination and liaison capacity with relevant Government institutions, Government led mechanisms and emerging trust fund instruments.

The Support for Rule of Law Reforms in Ukraine Project

UNOPS provides project management implementation services and support for the European Delegation and the Government of Ukraine project, focused on reform of the Rule of Law system in Ukraine and to align its functioning with the best European and International practices.

This EU-Funded Project aims to support the creation of an efficient law-enforcement system respectful of human rights in support of the people of Ukraine, via provision of the necessary support to the National Police and other Ukrainian authorities in charge of civilian law-enforcement. On substance matters, the project relies on the EU Advisory Mission [EUAM] to Ukraine which is a Rule of Law and Police Mission, based in Kiev and with presences in Kharkiv and Lviv.

Under the direct operational supervision and guidance of the Project Manager, and in close collaboration with other personnel, the Sustainability Specialist will be embedded within the EUAM in Kiev. S/he will be client-focused and provide support to the Police Reform Project Team and project assurance functions as delegated by the Project Manager, ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work.

The role is embedded within the EU Advisory Mission in Kiev and the Sustainability Specialist is responsible for the sustainability of project operations on behalf of the project, beneficiaries and the clients. S/he will develop a sustainability plan relating to all areas of project activities and will be the focal point for ensuring communication of that plan. He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organizations performance and delivery goals.

Reporting to the Project Manager, or in his/her absence, the Deputy Project Manager, the Sustainability Specialist is responsible to read the project initiation documents (PID), Legal Agreement and have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the project(s) products are capable of meeting sustainability requirements for both UNOPS, beneficiaries and the client. Success of the Project(s) and hence the Sustainability Specialist will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities.

The Sustainability Specialist delivers to, and supports, the project life cycle. They must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria:

1.     Stakeholder Management:

• Establish positive and fruitful working relationships with all interlocutors, providing advice and guidance on specific and general sustainability issues and in particular, appropriate institutional development, rule of law and police related sustainability project support issues.
• Establish solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders.
• Manage sustainability communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products.
• Advise the Project Manager on issues that may impact the achievement of sustainable outcomes.

2.     Delivery and Performance:

• Collaborate with interlocutors to deliver to sustainability activities within relevant timelines and cost parameters.
• Develop sustainability plans (including the establishment of milestones and delivery tools) within tolerances set by the project board.
• Advise the Project Manager upon, oversee and as necessary, implement, sustainable procurement policies.
• Develop and advise the Project Manager upon, and implement, appropriate emission reduction plans.
• Organize workshops, conferences and develop advisory guidelines as necessary.
• Management of work packages as and when required.
• Continuous monitoring of sustainable quality indicators and undertaking monthly assurance tasks on behalf of the Project Manager.
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into the project life cycle.
• Support the management the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary
• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers in respect of sustainability issues.
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS’ internal business case to supervisor.

3.     Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions).
• Support the Project Manager in the preparation of project related documentation with respect to all sustainability issues, particularly;
  • Highlight Reports
  • End Stage Reports
  • Operational Closure Checklist
  • End Project Report
  • Handover Report.

4.     Knowledge Management:

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice.
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format.
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format.

5.     Personnel Management:

• Support the preparation of Terms of Reference (ToR) for required inputs in the projects (staff, individual and institutional consultancy services, procurement of goods and services, organization of training, seminars, etc.), with expert and/or client support as required.
• Perform the Team Manager role as delegated by the Project Manager. 

• Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, Environmental Management, Economics or other relevant discipline
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience in Project Management, Business Administration, Development Studies, Environmental Management, Economics or other relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification Preferred.
• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.

• A minimum of 5 years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in sustainability management issues.
• A thorough understanding and in-depth work experience in sustainable procurement.
• A solid understanding and working knowledge of the supply chain sector.
• Previous experience with UNOPS or a UN Agency is an advantage.
• Experience working in a project-based environment is required.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• MS Office skills required.
• Excellent communication and team network skills.

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Ukrainian is essential; 
• Working knowledge of Russian will be considered as an asset. 

UNOPS mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peace building contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries. 

• THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION AND ONLY UKRAINIAN NATIONALS OR THOSE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND WORK IN UKRAINE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION
• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.