Вакансія Vocational Education Development Specialist

Background

The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine has had a direct and highly negative impact on social cohesion, resilience, livelihoods, community security, and the rule of law. Recognizing the need to urgently address reconstruction, economic recovery and peacebuilding needs in areas affected both directly and indirectly by the conflict, in late 2014 the Government of Ukraine requested technical assistance and financial support from the international community to assess priority recovery needs. In late 2014, the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Union conducted a Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment, which was endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers in mid-2015.
In response to the situation, in 2016, UNDP has established a Project Office in eastern Ukraine with a view to consolidate and deliver the various recovery and governance projects through a comprehensive, area-based Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (RPP) in five conflict-affected oblasts: Donetsk and Luhansk (Government Controlled Areas), as well as Zaporizhzhya, Dnipro, and Kharkiv oblasts. RPP frames UNDP’s interventions in Eastern Ukraine to address the recovery needs of conflict affected population and communities. The Programme Component has three components focusing on: (1) economic recovery and restoration of critical infrastructure; (2) restoration of governance and support to decentralization reform; (3) strengthening community security and social cohesion.
UNDP Ukraine invites applications from highly qualified and experienced Ukrainian professionals for the post of the Vocational Education Development Specialist for the RPP’s Component 1 Economic Recovery and restoration of Critical Infrastructure.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, Economic Recovery and Restoration of Critical Infrastructure, the Vocational Education Development Specialist will support implementation of the RPP’s Component 1 activities aimed at conducting an assessment and providing ongoing support for the Vocational Education and Training system (VET system), state employment service (SES) and local business stakeholders in terms of enhancing employability, development of links between public institutions, VET system and private sector to enhance employability and increase relevancy of the VET programmes in the target regions on the East of Ukraine. Specifically, s/he will perform the following key tasks:

• Lead the Component activities aimed at analysis and assessment of regional labour market needs and demand, existing VET system, SES and local business stakeholders’ activity and other relevant studies;
• Provide advisory services to vocational schools in the following area: enhance institutional capacity to deliver market-driven vocational education programmes;
• Provide substantial advisory support on regulatory framework, planning and funding policies for VET institutions;
• Draft programme documents, work plans and reports required for the purposes of annual planning, resource mobilization, collaboration with partners, reporting to donors etc.;
• Ensure timely and adequate implementation of activities under the annual work plan (AWP);
• Present information on Programme component activities to relevant institutions and governmental bodies, as well as ensure dissemination to broader public;
• Provide vocational education institutions with the methodological support for delivery of revised education standards and corresponding courses in skills and competencies responding to local labour demands;
• Continually identify specific training needs and provide organisational support as required;
• Facilitate the capacity-building for state employment service at national and local level to increase the quality of service provision to jobseekers;
• Facilitate recruitments of potential candidates for training and skilling-up activities stipulated by the Component’s implementation plans in close cooperation with key stakeholders including VET system, SES, business memberships organizations, MSMEs and relevant local authorities;
• Lead the selection of Implementing Partners (IPs) through transparent and competitive processes for provision of services;
• Lead the organization of capacity development trainings, studies and experience-exchange visits, workshops and round tables aimed at open discussion of VET system development issues and increase an effectiveness of VET institutions planning, management and implementation;
• Establish and maintain close liaison with national partners, ensuring optimum participation and promoting ownership of national authorities in the implementation of the Component activities;
• Supervise the development and production of publications and other knowledge products on VET and education in close coordination with the Programme Coordinator;
• Contribute to preparation of annual, quarterly, and detailed implementation work plans, and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of the relevant Component’s activities;
• Perform other activities as requested by the Programme Coordinator, Economic Recovery and Restoration of Critical Infrastructure.

Measurable outputs of the work assignment:

• Full and appropriate implementation of the Component activities;
• Component results, experiences and lessons learned disseminated at the national and regional levels;
• Component reporting, quality monitoring and closure activities completed.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results:

• Component annual work plan is fully and timely implemented;
• Component funds delivery reached 100%;
• Component activities are carried out in strict accordance with UNDP rules and procedures.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Communication;
• Delivery;
• Innovation;
• Leadership;
• People Management;
• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge Management and Learning;
• Development and Operational Effectiveness;
• Conflict Management;
• Result orientation;
• Teamwork;
• Self –management and emotional intelligence;
• Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing:
• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches.
• Client Orientation:
• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches:

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things;
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals:

• Performed analysis of political situations and scenarios, and contributes to the formulation of institutional responses;
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for global advocacy work and adapts it for use at country level.

OTHER:

• Ability to manage Component activities for results, including the ability to translate strategic aims into achievable annual work plans; and prepare reports in a timely manner;
• Ability to handle politically sensitive issues and contacts within government authorities, public institutions and civil society organizations (CSO’s) community and within UNDP;
• Sound judgment and maturity to foster a positive work environment;
• Familiarity with national policies, socio-economic context of the region, and relevant legislation;
• Demonstrated strong coordination and facilitation skills;
• Excellent usage of computers and office software packages.

Required Skills and Experience

Minimum qualifications and experience:

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Economics, Business Administration, Education Management, Public Administration, Finance, Social Sciences or other relevant field;
• At least 3 years of work experience in development and/ or implementation of education programs and/or trainings, preferably in vocational education area, in project/programme formulation, management, local governance, private sector development or other relevant related field;
• Experience in preparing and holding trainings;
• Experience of working with international organizations/projects will be considered as an advantage;
• Familiarity with UNDP rules and regulations will be considered as advantage;
• Fluency in English, Ukrainian and Russian is required.

Application Instructions:

• DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 08-June-18 (Midnight New York, USA).
• UNDP will use a transparent and competitive screening process, though will only contact those applicants in whom there is further interest. Applications may only be submitted for specific vacancy. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.

• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.