National Consultant: Head of Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU), Kyiv, Ukraine, 13 months (Remote)

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UNICEF Ukraine

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How can you make a difference?

Background:

Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine has caused massive destruction of critical civilian infrastructure, including water supply and wastewater systems. According to the updated Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA), as of 2024 the water infrastructure sector is among the most affected: dozens of pumping stations, water mains, treatment facilities, networks, and water quality laboratories have been destroyed or damaged. In some municipalities, access to safe drinking water and centralized wastewater services has been completely lost.

Disruption of water system operations, destruction of networks, occupation of territories, and restrictive tariff policies have led to a deep financial crisis for municipal water enterprises. Water utilities have lost engineering staff due to mobilization and migration, impeding technical operations and their ability to design and implement infrastructure projects. The cumulative needs of the sector for recovery and modernization over the next 10 years exceed EUR 14 billion.

In response to these challenges, the Government of Ukraine and the European Investment Bank signed a Financial Agreement (FI No. 93368, Serapis No. 2021-0112) on 9 April 2025 for the implementation of the “Ukraine Water Supply and Wastewater Recovery Project” totaling EUR 100 million, ratified by the Law of Ukraine No. 4612-IX dated 18 September 2025. The European Commission additionally announced its intention to provide EUR 25 million in grant co-financing, establishing a unique “loan + grant” financial model with minimal debt burden for municipalities and water utilities.

The Project will cover all Government-controlled municipalities of Ukraine that have been affected by the war or host significant numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and where the security situation is sufficiently stable to deploy technical assistance and implement sub-projects and monitoring. The Project aims to implement investment sub-projects for the construction, reconstruction, and modernization of key water facilities — water intakes, pumping stations, networks, wastewater treatment plants, drinking water post-treatment stations, and water quality laboratories. The expected results include improved energy efficiency of systems, reduced water losses, decreased CO₂ emissions, reduced discharge of untreated wastewater, and compliance with national and European standards for drinking water quality and wastewater discharge.

Project implementation has been entrusted to the Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine (MinDev), including through a Programme Management Support Unit (PMSU) at central level to ensure oversight of all Project activities.

As part of international technical assistance and at the request of the Ministry, UNICEF will support MinDev by financing the operation of the PMSU.

Project implementation is governed by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 70 dated 27 January 2016 “On the Procedure for Preparation, Implementation, Monitoring and Completion of Economic and Social Development Projects of Ukraine Supported by International Financial Organizations,” other regulatory acts of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, orders of the Ministry of Infrastructure, and relevant Project documentation, including the Project Operational Manual.

The activities of the PMSU are directly governed by the provisions of the Procedure for the Activities of Project Management Groups for Economic and Social Development Projects Supported by International Financial Organizations, approved by the Joint Order of the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine, Ministry of Economy and European Integration of Ukraine, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine No. 905/308/550/93/5 dated 29 October 2002 and registered by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine on 29 October 2002 under No. 853/7141, the Financial Agreement, and the Project Operational Manual

Purpose Of Assignment:

As part of UNICEF international technical assistance, at the ministry request, and in coordination with EIB UNICEF will support MinDev by financing the maintenance of the PMSU. To ensure sustainability of UNICEF’s ongoing system-strengthening support to the water and sanitation sector through:

• Enhanced national coordination and governance
• Integration of UNICEF TA into investment frameworks
• Financial sustainability and long-term funding pathways
• Strengthened ministerial–municipal–utility cooperation
• OBJECTIVES
  
  

The Consultant shall perform functions defined by the Financial Agreement and Project Operations Manual, with due diligence, quality, efficiency and economy in accordance with professional standards.

• SCOPE OF SERVICES
  
  

The Head of PMSU is responsible for Project management, coordination, monitoring and control, performing the following tasks:

• Review, adhere to and implement all documentation related to the Project;
• Provide strategic leadership in Project implementation;
• Ensure compliance with Financial Agreement terms;
• Coordinate portfolio monitoring and risk management;
• Ensure timely reporting to EIB and UNICEF.
  
  

Work Assignment Overview:

Deliverable

Deadline

# of w/days

• Inception package
• an approved Workplan;
• a Stakeholder Engagement Plan;
• a Deliverables Schedule; and
• a Governance Map.
  
  

Expected Outcome:

A formal Inception Report submitted to MinDev and EIB and approved by both institutions.

15.01.2026

10

• Project documentation register
  
  

A continuously updated and verified Project Documentation Register that catalogues all operational documents (POM, FA, manuals, guidelines).

Expected Outcome:

A monthly Documentation Register Report, submitted in standard PMSU format.

18.12.2026

20

• 20 Project governance protocols
• Decision-making, escalation routes, approvals workflow
• Endorsed by MinDev +EIB
  
  

Expected Outcome:

A compiled Governance Protocols Package endorsed by MinDev and EIB.

17.11.2026

20

• Quarterly portfolio performance dashboards
• Progress vs KPIs, bottlenecks, risk escalation
• Delivered at end of each quarter (4 per year minimum)
  
  

19.12.2026

15

• Procurement & contract execution plan
• Consolidated tender schedule, contract management tracker
• Initial version by Month 2; monthly updates
  
  

Expected Outcome:

A monthly Procurement Status Report and updated contract tracker.

01.01.2027

25

6.20 Construction oversight & compliance monitoring reports

• Status, delays, mitigation actions validated against standards
• Monthly reports + site visit memos
  
  

Expected Outcome:

Monthly Construction Monitoring Reports plus site visit memos (where applicable).

15.01.2027

25

• Programme Risk Register with monthly review on:
• Identification, scoring, mitigation, assignment of owners
  
  

Expected Outcome:

A monthly Risk Review Report integrating updated risk scoring and mitigation status.

17.01.2027

20

• Pipeline readiness assessment reports
• Technical, legal, financial checks for each sub-project
• Rolling outputs (min. 1 city/month)
  
  

Expected Outcome:

A monthly Pipeline Readiness Report submitted in IFI-compliant format.

19.10.2026

15

• Financial disbursement tracking & forecast
• Burn rate vs plan, alerting deviations ≥10%
• Monthly reporting to MinDev + UNICEF + EIB
  
  

Expected Outcome:

A monthly Financial Forecast and Disbursement Report.

16.11.2026

20

• Stakeholder coordination meeting minutes
• Leadership meetings, EIB coordination, inter-ministerial sessions
• Min. 2 per month with action tracking
  
  

Expected Outcome:

A monthly Stakeholder Coordination Package including meeting minutes and action tracking table.

15.10.2026

20

• Environment & social compliance monitoring
• ESMP adherence logs, grievance cases handled
• Monthly summary + red-flag escalation within 48 hours
  
  

Expected Outcome:

A monthly Environmental & Social Compliance Report.

16.11.2026

20

• Annual implementation report for EIB
• Performance narrative, KPIs, fiduciary compliance
• Submitted by 10 December annually (or as contractually required)
  
  

Expected Outcome:

One Annual Implementation Report, submitted by 10 December.

15.12.2026

21

• Handover & capacity transfer package
• SOPs, refined governance model, knowledge products for MinDev
• Delivered 1 month before contract end
  
  

Expected Outcome:

A formal Handover and Capacity Transfer Report delivered one month before contract end.

12.01.2027

10

Total:

241

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Minimum Requirements:

• Education:
  
  

Master’s degree in engineering, economics, finance, law, or public administration.

Project Management certification (PMP/IPM).

• Work Experience:
  
  

Minimum 3 years in senior project management.

Experience with IFI-funded infrastructure (EIB/WB/EBRD).

• Skills and competencies:
  
  

Strong leadership and programme management skills.

Solid understanding of IFI-funded infrastructure projects (EIB/WB/EBRD).

Excellent coordination and stakeholder management abilities.

Strong analytical, planning and problem-solving capabilities.

Proven ability to manage procurement, contracts and programme risks.

Excellent communication and reporting skills.

Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and transfer capacity.

High level of integrity, accountability and professionalism.

• Language Requirements:
  
  

English: Upper-intermediate [B2].

Ukrainian: Proficient/Native [C2].

• Desirables:
  
  

Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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The UNICEF Competencies Required For This Post Are…

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

Remarks:

Please indicate your all-inclusive (lump sum) fees in USD against the deliverables listed above, including all associated administrative and travel costs (if applicable). The office selects the individual based on best value for money.

Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant. The fee to a national consultant will be fixed in a contract in UAH.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected consultant is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected consultant are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. The vaccine mandate, does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.