Junior Specialist to support the modernisation and EU-Integration of the State Employment Service

The Sustainable Economic Development (SED) Cluster of GIZ Ukraine comprises various projects implemented on behalf of the German government supporting Ukraine to develop a resilient and competitive economic sector. Partners of the projects are Ukrainian ministries on the national level, administrations on regional level, stakeholders on the municipal level, and private sector companies. 

The “JobConnect” project supports the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture (MoEEA), the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity (MoSPFU) and the State Employment Service (SES) in developing an integrated, digital and data-driven labour market approach that complies with EU standards, at the interface with social policy. This is achieved through (1) better coordination of labour market and social policy (and stakeholders), including EU requirements, and capacity building for partners; managing the Secretariat of the Gender Alliance; (2) strengthening, modernising and integrating relevant labour market institutions in line with EU frameworks, in particular the SES; and (3) testing digital and data-driven approaches. “JobConnect” is being implemented for integrated delivery by a cross-project team in conjunction with the SIGA project “REYOIN”. REYOIN enhances the employability of the working-age population in Ukraine through active labour market policy measures and support for labour market policy processes, particularly at the (4) local level in selected regions (Lviv, Vinnytsia, Dnipro, Odessa, Ivano Frankivsk) and with regard to SES services. Implementation takes place in close cooperation with the World Bank and other international organisations.

Junior Specialist to support the modernisation and EU-Integration of the State Employment Service are part of the project team to support the SES with its modernisation and EU-integration, particularly improving its linkages to the Public Employment Service (PES) Network. This position will be working as part of a team of international and national experts (GIZ and external ones) in a sensitive and complex environment which is highly dynamic.

This position foresees frequent travel within Ukraine and occasional travel to EU countries.

Key responsibilities:

• Support the line-management and the Senior Specialist in coordination, analysis, planning and implementation of modernisation support measures for the SES,
• Support the SES related to the PES Benchlearning process (current and future), including coordination of inputs, assessments, peer exchanges, and implementation of follow-up measures (e.g. Thematic Learning Dialogues),
• Identify and address training, capacity building, organisational development and other support needs of SES (HQ, regional, local-level), incl. by formulating Terms of Reference for external service providers, supervising the implementation of contracts, as well as monitoring and reporting results,
• Support uptake of modernisation measures within regional/local SES branches (e.g. from Thematic Learning Dialogues / PES Benchlearning Process at national level),
• Support the development and implementation of intra-SES approach(es) based on the PES Benchlearning Methodology, facilitation of peer-learning between regional/local SES offices and their staff,
• Supporting SES in the coordination of measures related to EU Acquis, especially EURES integration and respective institutional adjustments within SES (incl. coordination of the development and roll-out of EURES-related measures for SES), 
• Support the coordination of REYOIN / JobConnect activities related to local-level and digital measures,
• Support exchange and collaboration between SES and relevant EU/international partners, including planning, organisation and execution of relevant exchange formats (e.g. study tours),
• Support coordination with other technical as well financial assistance projects supporting the SES (within GIZ and externally), 
• Support communication flows based on mutual confidence and trust with all relevant stakeholders in Ukraine, the EU, and the Western Balkans,
• Support the planning and the monitoring of activities in Ukraine, including timely contributions of accurate information to the overall results-based monitoring and knowledge management processes.
• Support timely preparation of briefing materials, presentations, analytical notes, and reporting documents for internal and external stakeholders,
• Support the preparation of workshops, high-level meetings, consultations, donor coordination formats, and international exchange activities.

Required qualifications, professional experience and personal competences:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in political sciences, economics, international relations, migration Studies, social sciences or any other relevant field,
• Minimum 2 years of proven professional experience in a comparable position,
• Sound knowledge of Ukrainian and the EU labour market integration approaches, active and passive labour market instruments, public policies and strategies, public employment services (PES) and other relevant labour market actors,
• Working experience with vulnerable groups (e.g. IDPs, long-term unemployed, persons with disabilities, veterans, people 50+, returning Ukrainians),
• Knowledge in areas related to the EU-Integration of the SES, e.g. EU Acquis, EU Employment Strategy, European Pillar of Social Rights, PES Network, European Labour Authority / EURES, European Social Fund + / Employment and Social Innovation (ESF+/EaSI),
• Experience in organisational / institutional development, change management methods and institutional reform is considered an asset,

• Experience in promoting gender responsive or gender transformative policies is considered an asset,

   

• Proven experience in liaising with stakeholders such as government officials, private sector representatives, and civil society actors, including proven experience initiating and/or facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogues, especially public and civil society sector,
• Excellent representative competences and diplomatic skills, in particular networking and negotiating as well as a high degree of discretion, integrity and sense of tone,
• Advanced project management skills and ability to self-organise and prioritise tasks,
• Ability to perform under pressure, including timely delivery of high-quality results,
• Strong communication and team skills, including cooperation with people of different social backgrounds and cultural backgrounds,
• Work experience in (international) technical assistance, particularly in the field of development cooperation is considered an asset,
• High proficiency in written and spoken Ukrainian and English is mandatory; knowledge of German is considered an asset,
• Very good working knowledge of ICT technologies and relevant applications,
• Readiness and ability to take up new topics and/or tasks and upskill, if necessary,
• Willingness to travel locally and abroad (depending on the security situation).

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.
• Working in a team of highly committed, motivated and engaged colleagues.

Employment conditions:

Full-time position with 40-hours working week. Place of assignment is Kyiv. Starting as soon as possible. The contract duration will be 12 months with the possibility of extension.

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:

Application comprising of the candidate’s CV and a cover letter in the English language explaining the motivation to apply for the job is to be sent to @email until COB 25 August 2026, Tuesday. 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