Project Officer, project specialist in HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation

Helvetas is an organization specialized in development cooperation and humanitarian response, anchored in Switzerland. Our vision is a just world in which all people determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner.

We welcome applications from motivated individuals in Kyiv, Ukraine. The expected starting date is as soon as possible or upon agreement. 

RECONOMY is an inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation in the Eastern Partnership and the Western Balkan countries.  More information on RECONOMY can be found here: https://www.reconomyprogram.com/.

Within the frame of the RECONOMY Program a new Program Facilitation Unit (PFU) led project “Navigating the Road Ahead: Creating Shared Values through Market Systems Development in Ukraine” will be implemented in Ukraine in collaboration with Volvo Group to support Ukraine’s recovery through systemic improvements in the logistics, transport, and construction sectors. The project focuses on three interlinked workstreams: (1) workforce development, (2) private sector growth, and (3) an improved enabling environment.

Under workforce development, the project modernizes vocational education and training (VET) in mechatronics and logistics-related skills, targeting youth, women, IDPs, and veterans. Private sector development focuses on strengthening SMEs through improved access to finance, business services, and technology adoption. The enabling environment workstream aims to support locally led initiatives to streamline sector-specific policies and regulations while promoting digitalization and public-private dialogue.

The Project Officer will implement the Program Facilitation Unit (PFU) led regional project “Navigating the Road Ahead: Creating Shared Values through MSD in Ukraine” to establish and coordinate activities and partnerships with Eastern Partnership stakeholders/system actors, ensure quality in implementation and achievement of the set objectives.

He/she will contribute to the integration of the intervention into the program’s knowledge management and learning processes, stimulating active discourse between the Project and its Ukrainian partners and stakeholders in line with the overall objectives and approach.

The Project Officer is responsible for ensuring compliance of the program’s activities in Ukraine with required administrative (and financial) processes and, most importantly, good risk management. Ensure timely support is provided to the Project team.

Responsibilities:

• Design and implement interventions through application of the market systems development approach, focusing on private sector growth and improved market functioning in transport and logistics sectors. 
• Work closely with the vocational schools and relevant public sector entities to support the modernization of the vocational education and training (VET) in mechatronics and other related professions, as well as integration of the market demanded curricula into the national qualification systems. 
• Conduct continuous market and system analysis to identify constraints, opportunities, and leverage points for engaging private companies and sector associations.
• Support collaboration with SMEs and business service providers to enhance competitiveness, innovation, and employment generation in logistics and transport. Promote and engage in dialogue with other relevant private sector companies from the Heavy-Duty Industrial Equipment and Commercial Vehicles sector for apprenticeship and on-the-job training to support local youths to obtain employment opportunities.
• Regularly meet system actors/partners to coordinate the activities and assure quality in implementation and achievement of objectives, to obtain, analyze, and update on country developments – potential challenges/risks and opportunities.
• Provide analytical and operational support in the design, monitoring, and adaptation of interventions, ensuring data-driven learning and application of MSD principles. Ensure coordination with other donor-funded skills development projects and with Sida initiatives in Ukraine for potential synergies.
• Conduct continuous research and development in Ukraine to identify entry points for systemic intervention and new partnerships in line with the Sida collaboration agreement.
• Coordinate monitoring activities (research, capacity building, data collection, etc.) with the EaP Monitoring and Results Measurement Officer in line with RECONOMY’s manual, ensuring evidence for steering, reporting, and learning.
• Collaborate with the Knowledge Management and Communication Manager to develop knowledge and communication products aligned with RECONOMY’s strategy, fostering discourse among partners and enhancing program visibility in Ukraine.
• Plan and co-organize different workshops, events & study trips.
• Contribute to the report’s development at all levels.
• Support in the implementation of the other RECONOMY Projects in EaP, if necessary.

Key qualities for success in this role:

• 3-5 years of experience in private sector development, Market System Development, or economic development projects, ideally in logistics, transport, or related industries. Degree in education, business management, administration, or related field.
• Understanding of the formal and non-formal education systems in Ukraine, including vocational education and training systems. Prior experience of working with the vocational educational system would be an strong asset. 
• Demonstrated analytical, problem-solving, and facilitation skills to support market actor collaboration and systemicchange. Understanding and experience in Monitoring and Results Measurement (MRM)
• A good understanding of the transport and logistics sector. Previous exposure to a heavy duty workshop environment would be a strong asset.  
• Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data and synthesize learnings.
• Understanding and experience in Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Environment & Climate Change (ECC).
• Understanding of key education trends in Ukraine.
• Proven facilitation and coordination skills with education and private sector stakeholders.
• Understanding of the essence of the “Business Model” and its application in the education context.
• Excellent writing skills and experience in developing various Terms of Reference, monthly updates, and reports.
• Ability to travel frequently within Ukraine and abroad.
• Ability to work in a diverse team. 
• Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Fluent in English and Ukrainian.
• Resident of Ukraine.

We’re Hiring – Inclusive Opportunities! At Helvetas, we believe that diversity and inclusivity make us stronger. We welcome professionals with disabilities and are ready to provide a supportive and accessible work environment.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Helvetas — це організація, що спеціалізується на співпраці у сфері розвитку та гуманітарній допомозі, заснована у Швейцарії. Наше бачення — справедливий світ, у якому всі люди можуть визначати свій життєвий шлях з гідністю та безпекою, використовуючи природні ресурси сталим чином.

Ми запрошуємо подавати заявки від мотивованих кандидатів, які проживають у Києві, Україна. Очікувана дата початку роботи — якомога швидше або за домовленістю.

RECONOMY — це програма інклюзивного та зеленого економічного розвитку, що фінансується Шведським агентством міжнародного розвитку (Sida) і реалізується HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation у країнах Східного партнерства та Західних Балкан. Детальніше про програму: https://www.reconomyprogram.com/

У межах програми RECONOMY в Україні реалізується новий регіональний проєкт, який очолює Підрозділ сприяння програмі (PFU) — “Navigating the Road Ahead: Creating Shared Values through Market Systems Development in Ukraine”, у партнерстві з Volvo Group. Проєкт спрямований на підтримку відновлення України через системні покращення у сферах логістики, транспорту та будівництва.

Проєкт охоплює три взаємопов’язані напрямки:

1. Розвиток робочої сили.

2. Зростання приватного сектору.

3. Покращення сприятливого середовища.

У напрямку роThe project will modernize the system of vocational and technical education (VET) in the fields of mechatronics and logistics, focusing on youth, women, internally displaced persons and veterans. Within the framework of private sector development, the project strengthens small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by improving access to finance, business services and technology. In the direction of a favorable environment, the project supports local initiatives aimed at improving policies and regulation, digitalization and dialogue between the public and private sectors.

The project specialist will be responsible for the implementation of the project "Navigating the Road Ahead: Creating Shared Values through MSD in Ukraine", will coordinate activities and partnerships with stakeholders of the Eastern Partnership countries, will ensure high-quality performance of tasks and achievement of defined objectives.

The employee will contribute to the integration of the project into the processes of knowledge management and training within the program, supporting the active exchange of experience between Ukrainian partners and stakeholders in accordance with common goals and approaches.

The project specialist will also be responsible for compliance with administrative and financial procedures within the scope of the program in Ukraine, as well as for effective risk management and timely support of the team project.

Main responsibilities:

• Develop and implement measures using the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach, focusing on private sector development and improving market functioning in the transport and logistics sectors.

• Work closely with vocational and technical institutions and relevant government structures to modernize professional education in the field of mechatronics and related specialties, as well as to integrate educational programs oriented to the needs of the market into national qualification systems.

• Conduct continuous analysis of markets and systems to identify barriers, opportunities and points of influence for attracting private companies and industry associations.

• Support cooperation with SMEs and business service providers to increase competitiveness, innovation and job creation in the logistics and transport sectors.

• Promote dialogue with representatives of private companies from the heavy equipment and commercial transport sector to create internship opportunities and practical training for young people.

• Meet regularly with system partners to coordinate activities, control the quality of task performance and monitor current changes in Ukraine, including possible challenges, risks and new opportunities.

• Provide analytical and operational support in the development, monitoring and adaptation of activities, ensuring data-based decision-making and adherence to MSD principles.

• Ensure coordination with other donor-funded skills development projects as well as with Sida initiatives in Ukraine to find synergies.

• Conduct ongoing research to identify new entry points for systemic interventions and potentialarts in accordance with the cooperation agreement with Sida.

• Coordinate monitoring activities (research, training, data collection, etc.) together with the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer within RECONOMY, ensuring evidence is available for decision-making, reporting and training.

• Collaborate with the Communications and Knowledge Management Manager in the creation of analytical and communication materials in line with the RECONOMY strategy to increase the visibility of the program in Ukraine.

roles:

• 3-5 years of experience in private sector development, market systems development, or economic development, preferably in transportation, logistics, or related industries.

• Higher education in education, management, administration, or related field.

• Understanding of formal and informal education systems in Ukraine, including vocational and technical education; experience in this field will be a significant advantage.

• Analytical, communication and facilitation skills, ability to support cooperation between market participants and promote systemic changes.

• Understanding and experience in the field of monitoring and results measurement (MRM).

• Good knowledge of the transport and logistics sectors; heavy equipment experience would be an advantage.

• Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data and formulate conclusions.

• Understanding of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Environmental and Climate Change (ECC) issues.

• Knowledge of key trends in education in Ukraine.

• Experience in coordinating and facilitating cooperation between educational institutions and the private sector.

• Understanding the essence of business models and their application in the educational context.

• Excellent writing skills, experience in preparing terms of reference (ToR), monthly updates and reports.

• Readiness for frequent business trips in Ukraine and abroad border.

• Ability to work in a diverse team and perform several tasks at the same time.

• Good organizational and time management skills.

• Fluency in Ukrainian and English.

• Permanent residence in Ukraine.

We hire - equal opportunities for everyone!

At Helvetas, we believe that diversity and inclusion make us stronger. We are open to professionals with disabilities and are ready to provide support and an accessible work environment.