Open Call for National Short-Term Experts: Legal Expertise on the Delimitation and Distribution of Powers among Levels of Public Governance

Ukraine – Local Empowerment, Accountability and Development Programme (U-LEAD with Europe) is a flagship multi-donor initiative supporting Ukraine's decentralisation reform, strengthening multi-level governance, and advancing regional development in line with European standards.

Within the Project DRD-ES Team, implemented by GOPA Worldwide Consultants, we are inviting applications from highly qualified legal professionals for inclusion in a pool of up to five National Short-Term Legal Experts.

The selected experts will provide specialised legal expertise to support the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine (hereinafter – Ministry) in implementing Indicator 9.3 of the Ukraine Plan through the review and alignment of framework and sectoral legislation with the principles established by the Draft Law of Ukraine "On the Principles of Delimitation and Distribution of Powers among Levels of Public Governance" (Registration No. 14412).

Scope of the Assignment

Working under the technical coordination of the Ministry and in close cooperation with U-LEAD with Europe, the selected experts will contribute to:

• analysing sectoral legislation governing the powers of different levels of public governance;
• identifying legal inconsistencies, overlaps, and gaps;
• preparing draft legislative amendments;
• supporting consultations with national stakeholders;
• contributing to the implementation of decentralisation reforms aligned with the European Charter of Local Self-Government, the Ukraine Plan, and Ukraine's EU accession process.

Who We Are Looking For

We welcome applications from legal professionals who have:

• a Master's degree in Law (or equivalent);
• at least seven years of legal experience;
• proven expertise in legislative drafting, legal analysis, public administration, decentralisation, or local self-government;
• experience supporting legislative reforms, public administration reform, EU accession, or international technical assistance projects will be considered an advantage.

Assignment Details

• Assignment period: July – September 2026
• Level of effort: Up to 90 expert days in total for up to five Legal Experts
• Location: Home-based (remote), with demand-driven meetings in Kyiv, if required.

Application Process

Interested candidates are invited to submit:

• Annex 2 – Financial Offer and Declaration of Competency Areas
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Examples of legislative or regulatory drafting prepared by the candidate during their professional activities.

Applications should be submitted electronically to Viktoriia.rizun@gopa.eu by 12 July 2026 with the subject: DRD-ES Team Open Call – National Short-Term Legal Expert – WP1. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Selection Process

Applications will be evaluated by an Evaluation Committee based on the criteria specified in the Terms of Reference, including:

• relevant professional experience;
• demonstrated expertise in the Areas of Public Governance;
• quality and relevance of legislative drafting experience;
• financial offer.

The Project aims to establish a balanced expert pool capable of covering the full range of thematic areas identified in the Terms of Reference.

The following documents are available via hyperlinks:

1. Terms of Reference

2. Annex 1. List of Areas of Public Governance

3. Annex 2. Financial Offer and Competency Areas Declaration