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Infrastructure for Economic Stabilization Specialist

26 December 2024

Kyiv / Odesa / or remote work based in key focus oblasts east, or adjacent oblasts, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv

ERA BACKGROUND

The USAID Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is designed as an adaptive and flexible mechanism that supports Ukraine’s immediate development needs and overall economic resilience. Ukraine’s efforts to win the future – emerging from Russia’s full-scale war ready to accelerate its development as a sovereign, independent, democratic, and prosperous state – require a dynamic, inclusive economic recovery.

STABILIZATION AND BUSINESS REVIVAL

ERA participates in developing a resilient, inclusive, and growth-oriented economy in severely damaged areas. ERA empowers Ukrainians to establish and develop micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in promising economic sectors, innovate, and enter new markets in Ukraine, the European Union (EU), and other regions. ERA emphasizes the inclusion of internally displaced persons (IDPs), women, young adults, veterans, the elderly, LGBTQI+ and other vulnerable groups to ensure that these people also participate in building the region’s economic success.

Starting in 2025, ERA is reviving its interventions around Stabilization and Business Revival and re-establishing a core focus on 4 eastern oblasts (Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson) and 3 adjacent oblasts (Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv); and, to a lesser extent, in 4 war-affected areas (Sumy, Poltava, Chernihiv, Odesa). This Stabilization and Business Revival intervention area aims to improve the economic resilience of eastern Ukraine by achieving the following goals:

  • OBJECTIVE 1: Provide assistance to stabilize the economy of Ukraine; and
  • OBJECTIVE 2: Support the sustainable development of micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ukraine.

Consequently, the economy of eastern and frontline communities in Ukraine will be able to withstand and respond to the challenge presented by Russia’s invasion and destruction of critical infrastructure; and individuals, businesses and government partners will be able to rebuild their lives and operation in these regions, thereby improving the economic resilience of the region.

In addition to Stabilization and Business Revival in the east and frontline oblasts, ERA continues to support complementary intervention areas:

  • AGRI-UKRAINE GRAIN EXPORT LOGISTICS; USAID’s Economic Resilience Activity (ERA) is one of USAID’s core partners implementing the $350 million Agriculture Resilience Initiative – Ukraine (AGRI) that was established in 2022 to bolster Ukrainian agricultural exports and alleviate the global food security crisis exacerbated by the war. Under AGRI-Ukraine, ERA partners with public and private companies to complement and leverage urgently needed grain transportation and transshipment investments.
  • BORDER CROSSING POINTS (BCP) IMPROVEMENTS; ERA directly supports the Government of Ukraine, including the State Agency for Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine (SARDI), the State Customs Service and Ukrainian Railways, to upgrade 42 of Ukraine’s BCPs. Modern and more efficient border infrastructure and customs procedures will reduce export costs and increase export capacity, enabling Ukraine to scale trade and advance its path to EU integration.
  • ENERGY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE SUPPORT; As one of USAID’s most flexible activities that responds to emerging and/or emergency needs, ERA is expanding its interventions that assist Ukraine businesses, communities or individuals in the fall and winter (September 2024-December 2025). The goal is to minimize the impact on the Ukrainian people and economy given recent power deficits. This is an adaptive component and ERA may also need to respond to other emergency needs in the face of ongoing Russian aggression and attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.

JOB OVERVIEW

The Infrastructure for Economic Stabilization Specialist is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing initiatives that contribute to community stabilization and rehabilitating small-scale infrastructure. This role supports recovery efforts in conflict-affected or underserved areas, fostering resilience, improving living conditions, and promoting social cohesion through infrastructure development and community-driven projects. The specialist reports to the Senior Manager for Stabilization & SSI. This role must support a flexible and adaptive portfolio of infrastructure interventions based on the needs of USAID and ERA beneficiaries.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Conduct assessments to identify infrastructure needs, prioritizing projects that promote stability and address critical gaps in services (e.g., water, sanitation, schools, roads, and health facilities).
  • Develop and prioritize infrastructure projects based on technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and community impact.
  • Manage procurement and logistics for materials, equipment, and services required for project implementation; develop technical inputs into procurement processes, including market research scopes and specification, competition processes and vendor management in close collaboration with the procurement team.
  • Collaborate with local authorities, community members, and stakeholders to align projects with local development plans and stabilization goals.
  • Update and manage beneficiary trackers as needed by ERA management.
  • Coordinate with contractors, engineers, and field teams to ensure timely and efficient project delivery.
  • Work closely with communities to identify priorities, foster ownership, and build trust through inclusive project planning and implementation processes.
  • Promote stabilization by addressing urgent infrastructure needs that reduce vulnerabilities and build confidence in recovery efforts.
  • Facilitate dialogue and collaboration among diverse community groups to strengthen social cohesion.
  • Establish and maintain monitoring systems to track project progress, identify challenges, and ensure accountability.
  • Support senior management team and MEL team to evaluate and analyze the impact of infrastructure projects on community stabilization and recovery.
  • Contribute to communications content and event planning; document lessons learned and best practices to improve future interventions.
  • Identify and mitigate risks associated with infrastructure projects, including security, environmental, and operational risks.
  • Ensure compliance with local regulations, donor requirements, and organizational policies.
  • Other tasks as assigned by the COP their designee.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • A bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Infrastructure Development, Project Management, International Development, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience in infrastructure, stabilization, or recovery projects, particularly in post-conflict or emergency settings.
  • Proven experience working with international organizations, donors, or large-scale development projects. USAID-funded projects experience is a plus.
  • Background in civil engineering, construction management, urban planning, or a related field.
  • Proven experience in designing and managing small-scale infrastructure projects.
  • Strong understanding of the principles of stabilization and community-driven development.
  • Experience working in conflict-affected or post-crisis environments is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and budgets effectively.
  • Familiarity with procurement and logistics processes for infrastructure projects.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage diverse stakeholders, including community members, government officials, and donors.
  • Fluency in Ukrainian and English is required; proficiency in other local languages is a plus.
  • Capacity to operate in dynamic and challenging environments, addressing problems proactively and innovatively.
  • Willingness to travel frequently to project sites, including remote and challenging areas.
  • High level of integrity, accountability, and commitment to the organization’s mission and goals.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, project management software, and familiarity with tools is a plus.

WE OFFER

Contract length: 12-month employment agreement with a possibility of extension.

Benefits Package:

  • 28 calendar days of annual leave
  • 10 days of internal well-being paid leave per annum
  • Medical Insurance for ERA staff and their families
  • Life Insurance for ERA staff
  • Coverage of all expenses for the business trips
  • USAID ERA project is classified as critical infrastructure, reservation from military service is possible

Start date: January 2025

Application process

All applicants must send a cover letter and updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English to ukraine@dai.com

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

Closing date for applications: January 31, 2025 (on a rolling basis).

For further information about DAI GLOBAL LLC, please consult our website era-ukraine.org.ua.