The Polaris Programme: Support to Multi-Level Governance in Ukraine invites experts to submit their CVs for inclusion in a roster of specialists for the technical assessment of infrastructure projects in partner Territorial Hromadas. Experts will be selected for individual short-term assignments based on their specialisation, relevant experience and availability, as well as the type of infrastructure project.

Description of the context

To address the changing needs of Ukrainian municipalities and national level stakeholders during wartime, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has initiated a broader programme in support of multilevel governance and recovery. This programme is called “Polaris: Supporting Multi-level Governance in Ukraine”. It is implemented by SALAR International and planned for four years (July 2024-May 2028).

Polaris Programme aims to work with both short and long-term focus, addressing the needs of the multi-level governance system in Ukraine and in parallel strengthening municipalities’ public service provision, as well as their direct engagement in the recovery and reconstruction processes, in line with the requirements of Ukraine’s EU accession.

The Programme’s support is provided through two operational components: one focusing on policy and collaboration with national stakeholders, and the other providing direct support to municipalities. The support encompasses six thematic areas: Education, Fiscal Decentralisation and Budgeting, Administrative Service Provision, Locally-led Recovery, International Municipal Cooperation, and Municipal Enterprises. In addition, the Programme will provide material support to meet short-term material crisis needs of municipalities.

The Programme’s Locally-Led Recovery (LLR) component has completed its first phase, during which technical assistance was extended to 13 Territorial Communities and one Oblast in the preparation of strategic and spatial planning documents. In addition, projects of priority for investment were identified for Territorial Communities. The LLR component is now entering its second phase, during which support will be extended to additional Territorial Communities and Oblasts. More information about the programme and its activities can be found on the website www.polaris.org.ua.

Eight partner Territorial Communities are participating in the second phase of the Polaris Programme’s Locally-Led Recovery component: Berdychivska (Zhytomyr Oblast), Boiarska (Kyiv Oblast), Chyhyrynska (Cherkasy Oblast), Hrebinkivska (Poltava Oblast), Menska (Chernihiv Oblast), Nosivska (Chernihiv Oblast), Pervomaiska (Mykolaiv Oblast) and Verkhniodniprovska (Dnipropetrovsk Oblast).

Role Description

The expert’s task is to conduct an initial technical screening of a project idea, assess its readiness for further preparation and implementation, do onsite assessment and observations, and refine the existing project fiche for submission to NEFCO. The priority is to verify the soundness of the proposed project solution and the realism of the Territorial Community’s preliminary calculations.

Required Expertise

Technical expertise in at least one of the areas listed above: water supply and wastewater systems; solar power generation and energy storage; or energy efficiency of public buildings and municipal infrastructure facilities. Experience in all areas is not required.

Experience with municipal projects in Ukraine and public sector investment mechanisms.

Ability to conduct rapid technical diagnostics, verify the soundness of preliminary cost estimates and technical and economic calculations, and assess the realism of investment and operating costs and expected resource savings for municipal infrastructure projects.

Experience of working with NEFCO on the preparation, assessment or implementation of infrastructure projects is a significant advantage.

An expert may be engaged to work with several Territorial Hromadas if the areas covered by their infrastructure projects match the expert’s specialisation and experience. The number of Territorial Hromadas and the overall scope of work will be agreed individually, taking into account the expert’s availability and the deadlines for the assignments. Submission of a CV and inclusion in the roster do not guarantee a contract.

To participate in the selection process, please submit a CV specifying your specialisation, a brief description of relevant project experience, and your daily fee, specifying the currency (euro) and taxes included. The brief description of experience must explain how the candidate’s qualifications and practical experience meet the requirements above.

Please send your CV, a brief description of relevant project experience, and information on your daily fee to ukraine@salarinternational.se. Email subject line: “Technical Assessment of Infrastructure Projects — [Full Name]”.

For more information, please download the Terms of Reference.

Deadline: 12 November 2026