The full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation in February 2022 continues to have profound and far-reaching consequences on civilian lives and regional stability. The war has caused unprecedented social and economic disruptions, internal and external displacement, a breakdown in public service delivery subjecting vast areas to the threat of landmines and explosive ordnance (EO). Ukraine holds the tragic distinction of being the world’s most potentially explosive ordnance-contaminated country, with a staggering 25% of its territory under threat. This not only raises concerns for the safety of the citizens but also magnifies the number of people, both directly and indirectly, affected by the explosive remnants of war.

As per International Mine Action Standard (IMAS) 13.10, EO victims are individuals who have directly experienced an accident with EO, as well as those who were indirectly affected – their families or communities contaminated with explosive ordnance. It should be noted that the term “direct victim” refers to a person who has experienced an EO accident, whether or not that person survived, while the term “survivor” is often used to describe a direct victim who has been injured and/or impaired, but who has not been killed as a result of the accident with EO. UNDP Ukraine advocates for the continuous integration of victim assistance into national policies and legal frameworks, spanning disability rights, health, education, employment, and poverty reduction.

The national authorities, as well as oblast and local authorities are working on improvement of a wide set of policies regulating the sphere of assistance to EO victims, including the National Mine Action Strategy, which was approved by the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated June 28, 2024 No. 616. UNDP supports the implementation of the National Mine Action Strategy, in particular through a series of measures aimed at achieving Strategic Goal 2 “Reducing the impact of explosive objects on the life and health of the population “. UNDP has developed the Model of Victim Assistance (Model) in Mine Action in Ukraine that serves as a roadmap for collaboration among national and local authorities, international partners, and civil society, securing a holistic and comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of EO victims.

During 2023-2024, UNDP provided support to selected affected communities in Chernihiv and Kyiv regions in implementing the Model to increase the capacity of their facilities and institutions to provide assistance to EO victims by purchasing equipment and training staff. Currently, UNDP is extending its support to other regions most affected by explosive devices in Ukraine, including the Kharkiv region.

In this context, the Rehabilitation and Disability Inclusion (R&DI) team seeks to urgently equip the regional and local authorities, as well as members of selected communities of Kharkiv region with a support to implement the UNDP developed Model for EO victim assistance based on the international standard IMAS 13.10.

The EO Victim Assistance Coordinator in Kharkiv region will provide substantive support to the R&DI Project team in implementation of activities related to promotion and implementation of the Model in Kharkiv region. The EO Victim Assistance Coordinator in Kharkiv region will work under the supervision of the R&DI Project Manager. She/he will be based in Kharkiv and will be required to travel regionally to selected communities in Kharkiv region.

The main objectives of this position will be:
• To support the overall implementation of the R&DI activities taking place in Kharkiv region;
• To liaise up with regional and local authorities, local communities, NGOs and UNDP grantees present in Kharkiv region, identifying possible new partners, leading capacity assessment when required, looking for synergies of actions;
• To support the R&DI team, playing a key role in the coordination, communication and liaising with all other stakeholders and partners in Kharkiv region.

1. Perform support functions to facilitate the implementation of the R&DI project activities in Kharkiv region, including:
   • Ensuring and coordinating a timely implementation of planned activities, providing support to ensure high quality of implementation.
   • Ensure that all implemented activities are in compliance with UNDP requirements, regulations and policies; and as per the approved plan.
   • Provide technical support to R&DI partners in Kharkiv region, including organisation of workshops, trainings, round-tables, implementation of awareness raising and information campaigns, etc).
   • Provide support in collection of information and development of specification for purchase of equipment and clearance with partners; coordinate and follow-up on the delivery of goods and services when needed.
   • In close cooperation with the R&DI Capacity Development Officer, Health Governance Officer, Small Grant Analyst and Communication Analyst and others continuously monitor and suggest relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of R&DI activities in Kharkiv region.
   • Support and undertake monitoring and evaluation activities, including regular activity monitoring, documentation of case studies, best practices and lessons learned, as agreed with the R&DI Project Manager, regularly monitor the progress and quality of R&DI activities.
   • Participate online in regular weekly R&DI team meetings and provide weekly update.
2. Provision of day-to-day assistance support to the R&DI project’s activities in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations, and relevant SOPs including:
   • Support R&DI team in collection of the supporting documentation for contracts and payments, grants implementation, events and other projects’ activities;
   • other relevant tasks.
3. Ensures gender mainstreaming
   Ensure the mainstreaming of gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations in the field of expertise, promote a safe and enabling environment free of any kind of discrimination and abusive behaviour, and use the principles of gender responsive communication in line with the UNDP corporate standards.

• Integrity
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Social Science, Public Administration, Economics, Law, Public Relations and other relevant;

• Work experience in/with a regional or local authority;
• Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is an asset;
• Previous experience working in emergency projects in complex and volatile contexts is an asset;
• Experience in any other relevant sector will be an advantage [health, social services, local/regional development, education, etc.];
• Experience working with CBOs, CSOs is an asset;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members and authorities at different levels;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in sustainable development, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

The contract lasts for the period indicated in the vacancy with the possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity, and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. This is a full-time contract.

Allowances:
• Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA): A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) USD 1587 (equivalent in UAH) is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities, and normal cost of living expenses. This includes Well-Being Differentials for the period while the ICSC applies hardship classification to duty stations in Ukraine as “E”.
• USD 400 entry lump sum, one-time payment.

Medical and life insurance:
• Medical insurance: The UN Volunteer and eligible PFU dependents will receive UNV provided medical insurance coverage. Coverage for UN Volunteers begins from the Commencement of Service and normally ceases one month after the last day of the UN Volunteer Contract date.
• Life Insurance: UN Volunteers are covered by life insurance for the duration of the UN Volunteer assignment. If a UN Volunteer dies during the UN Volunteer assignment, the eligible designated beneficiaries will be entitled to receive a life insurance lump sum.

Leave entitlements:
• Annual leave:  UN Volunteers accrue an entitlement to 2.5 days of Annual Leave per completed month of the UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave up to a maximum of 30 days is carried over in case of a contract extension within the same UN Volunteer assignment. Unused accrued Annual Leave may not be carried over in case of reassignment or a new assignment.
• Learning leave: Subject to supervisor approval and exigencies of service, UN Volunteers may request up to ten working days of Learning Leave per consecutive 12 months of the UN Volunteer assignment, starting with the Commencement of Service date, provided the Learning Leave is used within the contract period.
• Certified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers are entitled to up to 30 days of certified sick leave based on a 12-month cycle. This amount is reset every 12-month cycle.
• Uncertified Sick Leave: UN Volunteers receive seven days of uncertified sick leave working days in a calendar year. This amount will be reset at the established interval period.