Veterans Advisor | Kyiv, Ukraine | 2023

Chemonics seeks a Veterans Advisor to support the Partnership Fund for a Resilient Ukraine (PFRU). PFRU is a multi-year, multi-donor funded programme managed by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).The aim of PFRU is to set improved conditions for the Ukrainian state, in partnership with civil society and the private sector, to lead on inclusive national recovery and revitalisation in the context of Russia’s aggression. This outcome is designed to facilitate and strengthen resilience for a more socially cohesive, inclusive, democratic, and prosperous Ukraine. The PFRU provides funds to Ukrainian and international delivery partners and implements projects based on research and evidence.

PFRU will be implementing the ‘resilient populations’ sub-project from June – December 2023. The aim of this sub-project is to support veterans and their families. As part of this, we aim to recruit two international advisors to support on policy development and delivery around the social and economic reintegration of veterans into civilian life. The first advisor will sit primarily within the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs, to support the ministry in its policy-making and legislative functions. Areas of policy focus for support may include: veteran housing; benefits and guarantees; service delivery for veterans; and employment and reskilling. The second advisor will support the Ministry of Economy, but will also have a wider cross-cutting function across the ‘resilient populations’ sub-project, supporting the first advisor with insights and inputs.

Responsibilities:

Veterans Advisor – Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs (MoVA): responsibilities:

• Support the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs with strategic thinking and planning in order to help them fulfil their line ministry obligations;
• Support the Ministry with the development of new policies and initiatives to support veterans and their families;
• Deliver substantive written inputs for planning, development and amendment of relevant legislation concerning veterans and their families;
• Support the Ministry with inter-ministerial coordination (in particular Ministries of Economy, Defence, Digital Transformation and Social Policy) and coordination with/of foreign partners, including development of donor and ministry mapping products;
• Provide international expertise and insight regarding i) ministry structure and delivery mechanisms; ii) current and planned policies and laws; and iii) strategic initiatives.
• Draw lessons from the different initiatives and grants under the ‘resilient populations’ sub-project and feed them into future programme planning in the form of lessons learned papers and recommendations.
• Oversee work of national advisor and other short-term experts as needed.

Veterans Advisor – cross-cutting: responsibilities:

• Provide expert inputs and advice to Advisor – MoVA to make sure that the overall sub-project is taking a conflict sensitive approach to the reintegration of veterans into the civilian work force.
• Work closely with the Advisor – MoVA to ensure a coherent approach to demobilisation across ministries, including the Ministry of Veterans’ Affairs, Defence, Social Policy, Economy and Digital Transformation.
• Support to the Ministry of Economy with the design of veterans’ reintegration policy, with particular focus on balancing veteran needs with state resources and institutions
• Provide written and oral inputs into the design of veterans’ policy within the Ministry of Economy, based on international experience and lessons learned.
• Provide expert guidance on pilot veterans’ retraining scheme under Ministry of Digital Transformation
• Provide written inputs into grant design and selection of civil society organisations.
• Draw lessons from the different initiatives and grants under the ‘resilient populations’ sub-project and feed them into future programme planning in the form of lessons learned papers and recommendations.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in law, public policy, international development or other;
• At least [15 – Advisor MoVA, 10 – Advisor cross-cutting] years of demonstrated relevant work experience in a similar role;
• Proven experience working on veterans’ policy or other issues relating to veterans and their families;
• Proven experience of developing and implementing policy in relevant areas;
• Demonstrated experience of working with Western government(s), preferably in the defence space – either as a civil servant or a contractor/advisor or as military personnel;
• Demonstrated ability in working independently and as part of a team, both in-person and remotely;
• Demonstrated experience of working in a complex setting and a conflict-affected context;
• Strong organisational and work prioritisation skills;
• Knowledge of Ukraine or broader CEE region preferred;
• Fluent in English language, written and spoken. Knowledge of Ukrainian language preferred.

Duration of Assignment: 140 days between 1 June 2023 – 31 December 2023. Precise split between roles to be determined during recruitment process.