Government Relation Manager (Climate Change)

The Ukrainian Climate Office component, co-financed by the EU, supports the establishment of a national Climate Innovation Resource and Consultative Centre. It aims to build capacity across government, business, and civil society for effective climate action and to contribute to Ukraine’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050. The project provides policy advice and supports implementation of climate-neutral and resource-efficient measures.

Area of Responsibilities:

The Government Relations Manager serves as a high-level liaison and advisor for project-related climate activities in Ukraine. The position combines strategic engagement with government stakeholders, policy dialogue, and communication across ministries, agencies, and other actors. It requires the ability to represent the project with credibility and political sensitivity in national processes, maintain strong relationships with governmental and non-governmental institutions, and contribute substantively to the implementation of Ukraine’s climate agenda.

The position is ideal for a well-connected and diplomatic team player with a strong understanding of Ukraine’s climate and reform priorities, who is eager to work at the interface of policy, implementation, and international cooperation, and can handle complex discussions and negotiations constructively.

Key responsibilities:

Stakeholder Coordination and Representation

• Represent and position the project in strategic national-level policy processes and institutional dialogues related to climate action and EU integration.
• Maintain regular contact and build trusted, high-level working relationships with the government, and other key institutions involved in climate governance.
• Support the preparation, delivery, and follow-up of policy dialogues, inter-ministerial meetings, and working groups, ensuring that the project’s contributions are well received and coordinated.
• Facilitate sensitive discussions, help identify and resolve potential frictions between stakeholders, and ensure that cooperation is aligned with the project's objectives.
• Problem-Solving: Identify and address challenges or conflicts that may arise between the project and partners, working collaboratively towards effective resolutions.

Communication and Internal Coordination

• Ensure smooth flow of information between Ukrainian stakeholders and the international project team, including translating political signals into operational guidance.
• Provide political and contextual intelligence to support internal planning, risk management, and strategic positioning.
• Contribute to maintaining a positive and credible project profile through active and constructive engagement at senior level.

Substantive Support to Climate Workstreams

• Monitor and provide strategic input on national climate policy developments, particularly in the context of EU approximation (e.g. Chapter 27, NECP, Climate Law, ETS, climate neutrality, adaptation).
• Contribute to drafting policy briefs, high-level summaries, talking points, and other strategic inputs, in close cooperation with technical experts and the project management team.
• Collect, analyse, and communicate relevant information from government processes and ensure timely and targeted input into project planning.

Required qualifications, professional experience and personal competences:

• University degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant field such as environmental policy, public administration, political science, international relations, economics, or sustainable development.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of relevant professional experience, preferably including senior government positions or advisory roles in climate/environmental policy, reform processes, or international cooperation.
• In-depth understanding of Ukraine’s institutional and political landscape, particularly in the context of climate change, EU alignment, and environmental governance.
• Strong network within governmental and public institutions; ability to work with high-level officials, including in politically sensitive contexts.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, including the ability to facilitate, moderate, and contribute to high-level discussions.
• Proven experience in policy coordination, stakeholder engagement, and consensus-building.
• Ability to work independently, while maintaining close coordination with an international and multidisciplinary team.
• Fluency in Ukrainian and English (written and spoken) is required.

Optional / Desirable:

• Experience with the EU Association Process, especially on environmental and climate-related chapters.
• Familiarity with international donor-funded programmes, climate finance or cross-sector coordination.
• Background in Just Transition, green recovery, or regional climate governance is an asset

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 Kyiv. Starting as soon as possible. The contract duration will be 12 months with the possibility of prolongation.

GIZ is an equal opportunity employer and offers an attractive and challenging working environment with opportunities for skill enhancement.

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 28 January 2026, Wednesday. 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