Citizen Engagement and Information Sharing Expert at SKL International

Citizen Engagement and Information Sharing Specialist

PROSTO: Support to Services Accessibility in Ukraine

Location: Kyiv, with possibilities to work remotely within Ukraine

Duration: 12 months

SKL International is looking for a Citizen Engagement and information sharing Specialist for supporting the implementation of the project PROSTO: Support to Services Accessibility in Ukraine. The position shall be consultancies contracts for around 12 months.

The Citizen Engagement Specialist should be experienced in working on information sharing and citizen engagement matters. The candidate should be highly professional and able to work efficiently both with citizen engagement activities at local level in Ukrainian hromadas as well as with different type of communication and media content.

We are looking for self-motivated and highly analytical persons, who can navigate in a dynamic and changing environment and who are able to establish good and reliable partnership with representatives of hromadas and other stakeholders working with citizen engagement matters in Ukraine.

About SKL International

SKL International is a subsidiary to the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR), representing all 290 municipalities and 20 county councils in Sweden. We are a leading consultancy company supporting local democracy and good governance in developing and transition countries. Our expertise covers areas such as capacity building on municipal management and service delivery; local and regional development; decentralisation policies; support to local government associations; and European Integration. Geographically, SKL International’s projects covers countries in Central and Eastern Europe as well as Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Description of the assignment context

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has through SALAR and other organisations, implemented Component 2 of the EU commissioned programme U-LEAD with Europe: Ukraine Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development Programme 2016-2021, funded by the EU and its member states Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Estonia and Slovenia. The implementation of the Programme has resulted in 484 Administrative Service Centers (ASCs) established or modernised in newly formed hromadas and a total of 1 300 access points to services supported institutionally and physically. The Programme has also developed methodology manuals for the ASC establishment including one on Citizen Engagement and Information Sharing.

PROSTO: Support to Services Accessibility in Ukraine is based on SALAR’s experience in implementing U-LEAD and will be a follow up project of U-LEAD support to administrative service provision in Ukraine. The project is funded by Sida and the main objective is to improve the capacity of local authorities to deliver administrative services for the benefit of the residents in Ukraine.

The main activities will be targeting the following expected outcomes:

1. Political leaders in local communities have the capacity to improve administrative service delivery
2. ASC staff have the knowledge and capacity to provide effective services
3. Political leaders and officials in local authorities use ASCs to enhance citizens’ engagement and information sharing
4. National policy actors consider the needs of local communities (and the project experience and expertise) in national administrative service policy development

Main Activities

• A Help Desk for hromadas, providing consultation support on ASC development and improving service provision
• Trainings for ASC staff, both online and on-site
• Policy advice and support in the sphere of provision of effective administrative services
• Citizens’ engagement and information sharing – strengthening the ability of hromadas to inform about ASC services and to involve residents in the democratic processes in hromadas
• Peer learning exchanges between hromadas
• Support to Starostas in service provision to residents in remote areas.

Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February, most project activities have been adapted to changing circumstances and needs.  Other activities have been only partly implemented or paused.

Between November 2021 to February 2022 the Project has conducted several trainings for Hromadas on citizen engagement and information sharing. Since March these trainings have been put on hold and the project is now re-launching this activity with focus on crisis communication and communication with vulnerable groups such as IDPs. A draft manual on Citizens’ engagement and information sharing at the local level in war times has been developed and the specialist is expected to develop and finalise it during the fall 2022.

Organisational set up

The project team include around 14 full-time consultants in Ukraine and a management unit in Sweden. The Citizen Engagement expert will work closely with the Communication specialist, and the other Training unit team members in Ukraine and report to the management in Kyiv as well as in Stockholm.

The role of the Citizen Engagement Specialist

The Project Citizen Engagement Specialist is expected to:

• Work closely with partner hromadas to increase citizen engagement with a specific focus on administrative and public service provision
• Identify and disseminate best practices in citizen engagement and information sharing at local level
• Pilot different types of citizen engagement activities and information sharing using administrative service centres as a one-stop shop where residents can meet and interact with local politicians and other representatives of local self-governance
• Finalise and present a manual for citizen engagement and information sharing during the war period
• Oversee and conduct training activities to representatives of hromadas (incl. starostas) to strengthen their capacities in citizen engagement and information sharing
• Ensure engagement of women and vulnerable groups in citizen engagement activities.
• Work with other experts to update, develop and pilot various methodological materials in citizen engagement and information sharing in the field of public service provision at local level
• Work closely with the communication specialist on ensuring recognition and visibility of the project at local, regional and national levels
• Work with local and regional media promoting local self-governance, democracy, citizen engagement
• Contribute to the annual and final reports.

Reporting

The expert reports to Stockholm management unit and Team Leader in Ukraine.

Required Skills and Experience

• University Degree in political science, journalism, communications or equivalent (Master degree is a strong asset)
• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience performing tasks similar to the described job position
• Successful track record in conducting citizen engagement activities, including working with methodological materials

• Ability to establish strong working relationships with local government officials, civic leaders, media and international donors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as report writing and analytical skills
• Proven ability to use creative and effective communication tools
• Fluency in Ukrainian
• Professional-level English, both written and oral is desirable
• Previous experience of working with the governmental sector, local self-governance is a strong asset

Conditions & Logistics

This is a full-time position. A consultancy contract will be signed between SALAR International and the Citizen Engagement Specialist, which will outline the conditions for the position in detail. Please note this position is not an employment position, meaning that applicants must be established as consultants and will be liable to pay all relevant taxes and insurances.

A competitive consultancy fee will be offered to the successful candidate.

A consultant is allowed to work remotely until the end of 2022.

Evaluation of response & selection

Interested applicants should send their proposal, comprising the following documents, to SALAR International no later than August 15, 2022:

1. A short explanation of the applicant’s suitability for the assignment (maximum one A4-page)
2. Up-to-date CV indicating relevant experience and qualifications

The Citizen Engagement Specialist will be selected based on their professional experience and competences matching the requirements described above.

This Request for Position is issued on July 22, 2022. Proposals and questions should be sent latest August 15, 2022.

No compensation is paid for proposals and interviews during the recruitment process.

Interviews with shortlisted applicants are expected to be held in person or via Teams/Zoom in the period between August 15-25. Only shortlisted applicants will receive a respond by email after final round of interviews.

The personal information provided by the applicant in the procurement process will be handled by SKL International.

Diversity and equal opportunities

SKL International embraces diversity and respects human rights in all areas of its work. SKL International strives to create a gender equal and diverse working environment. Consultants shall respect equal rights of individuals and strive to create an atmosphere where people’s differences are accepted and valued.

2022-07-25T10:22:02.000 2022-08-16T23:59:59.000 Full time TELECOMMUTE Україна SKL International