A.   Overview of the mission

Under the supervision of the Project Leader based in Tbilisi (Georgia) and the Deputy Project Leader, based in Chisinau (Moldova), the EU4Innovation East Country Coordinator for Ukraine, based in Kyiv, is responsible for the project coordination and implementation in the country.

The Coordinator supports the Project Leader and the Deputy by coordinating the implementation of the activities at the local level, notably the consultations with local stakeholders.

The Coordinator ensures the complete follow-up of the implementation of the project action plan for Ukraine together with the project’s team, mobilizes and coordinates all the implicated partners, from the local stakeholders and beneficiaries to the providers and experts, facilitates the coordination of all the relevant tasks together with other Expertise France’s teams, in HQ or in EF office in Kyiv, and provides detailed reporting related to these actions and activities. He/she also coordinates the communication of the project activities at the local level in coordination with the project communication team and EF Ukraine communication team and supports the MEAL manager of the team in ensuring the proper execution of MEAL actions and activities.

To do so, the Coordinator benefits from the support of one full-time assistant, also based in Kyiv.

The role requires a high degree of autonomy and interpersonal skills suitable for an international and multicultural environment. Building strong connections with local stakeholders is crucial for the project's success.

A.   Objectives and tasks

Under the supervision of the Project Leader and the Deputy Project Leader:

Strategic Implementation and Oversight:

-       Direct the project's strategic alignment with local ecosystem needs, actively involving Environmental and Ecosystem Actors (EEAs) to ensure relevance and impact;

-       Provide strategic guidance and operational recommendations based on field insights, aiming for continuous improvement and innovation within the project's framework;

-       Develop a network of national partners and experts, fostering collaborative actions and partnerships to enhance project outcomes;

-       Manage operational risks and develop mitigation strategies, ensuring any challenges in partnership management or activity implementation are promptly addressed and communicated to Expertise France.

Technical Implementation:

Throughout the project, the Coordinator will:

-       Oversee the execution of annual action plans, acting as a key intermediary between the project team and local entities to ensure effective collaboration and achieving objectives;

-       Conduct continuous consultations with local stakeholders to adjust the annual project action plan and roadmap, ensuring alignment with broader project goals;

-       Together with the project team, coordinate the selection of the relevant international and national providers and experts necessary to ensure the proper implementation of the activities of the project;

-       In close collaboration with the Finance and Administrative Manager, ensure the detailed follow-up of budget disbursement and reporting;

-       Support and organize visits from the project team or external experts, enhancing their interaction with the local ecosystem to implement the related activities;

-       Enhance synergies with other donor-funded projects.

Communication:

-       Support the project communication team by suggesting content for project communications, such as articles and interviews, to support objective achievement;

-       Together with the project communication Team, facilitate the coordination of communication activities together with EF Ukraine communication team.

Quality Control and Reporting:

-       Oversee the quality of technical deliverables from partners and service providers, ensuring compliance with project standards, in addition to the training and advice provided by grant officers;

-       Consolidate and report on local activities, incorporating narrative reports from supported structures to provide a comprehensive overview of project progress and impact as well as providing a yearly progress report on the project’s activities implemented in Ukraine;

-       Support the MEAL Manager by contributing to the project's monitoring and evaluation efforts, ensuring data and insights are captured accurately and timely;

-       Provide all requested information for donors’ information on the status of implementation of the project.

Institutional Relations, Partnerships, Governance, and Representation:

In close collaboration with the project team, the Coordinator will:

-       Ensure stakeholders (e.g., Ministries, local actors, implementation partners, Embassies, AFD, NGOs) are well-informed and engaged, promoting effective information flow and integrating each actor based on their role;

-       Represent the project at local events on request, maximizing ecosystem actor involvement and keeping local EU or French representatives informed;

-       Ensure the proper liaison with the activities of the Ukrainian Expertise France Office as well as the French Embassy;

-       Serve as the secretary for the Country Consultations Committees.

Team management:

-       Direct management of the project assistant based in Kyiv, Ukraine.