Consultant – Legal Expert (Ukraine, Ukraine) contract NEW

Type of contract : Consultant Contract

Hiring Unit : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station : Ukraine

Work location : On site

Duration of contract : 8 months

Hiring open to : External candidates

Application deadline (Midnight UTC+2 Time) : 25/05/2026

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

The full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation has caused critical damage to Ukraine’s cultural sector and has effectively disrupted established mechanisms for its financing and development. Since the beginning of the military aggression, cultural institutions, art education establishments, and cultural heritage sites have been damaged or destroyed on a daily basis.

To date, more than 1,000 monuments of archaeology, history, and art have been damaged or completely destroyed, along with over 2,000 cultural infrastructure facilities, including libraries, museums, theatres, cultural centers, and educational institutions. A significant number of surviving sites remain under constant threat of further destruction due to ongoing hostilities.

In this context, the Ministry of Culture y of Ukraine has established the Recovery Support Unit, which provides expert, analytical, and legal support for the processes of recovery and transformation of the cultural sector.

The Recovery Support Unit coordinates projects aimed at developing models for the reconstruction of damaged cultural heritage sites and cultural infrastructure, as well as forming systemic solutions for the modernization of the cultural sector and ensuring access to quality cultural services.
In addition, the Unit is responsible for the development and implementation of regulatory and legal frameworks in the field of culture, including recovery processes, protection of cultural heritage, implementation of state electronic registers and information and communication systems, and execution of pilot projects.

The purpose of the assignment is to ensure the drafting and legal support of regulatory acts required for the implementation of state policy in the cultural sector, including cultural heritage recovery, functioning of state electronic registers and information and communication systems, as well as providing legal support to the activities of the Recovery Support Unit under the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine.

Scope of Work and Responsibilities

●    Drafting legal and regulatory acts (laws of Ukraine, resolutions and orders of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, orders of the Ministry of Culture) within the competence of the Ministry, including acts prepared based on proposals from the Recovery Support Unit.
●    Conducting legal review of draft acts prepared by the Recovery Support Unit.
●    Preparing legal opinions, briefs, and analytical materials on legal aspects of project implementation.
●    Assessing compliance of draft acts with the principles of the rule of law, legal certainty, and current legislation of Ukraine.
●    Providing legal support for draft acts during internal and interagency approval processes.
●    Cooperating with relevant structural units of the Ministry and central executive authorities.
●    Revising draft acts based on comments and approvals.
●    Ensuring compliance with deadlines and procedures for drafting regulatory acts.
●    Providing ongoing legal support to the Recovery Support Unit.
●    Advising project managers and leadership on legal matters.
●    Participating in the development of legal models for recovery and institutional transformation of the cultural sector.
●    Mitigating legal risks in project implementation.

Duration: until 28 February 2027, with a possibility of extension.

1.    A package of regulatory acts in the cultural sector, including recovery and digitalization, is developed and submitted in compliance with procedural requirements.
2.    Regulatory framework for the functioning of state registers and information and communication systems in the cultural sector is ensured.
3.    Internal and interagency approval processes of regulatory acts are completed in compliance with deadlines and procedures.
4.    Legal risks associated with the implementation of Recovery Support Unit projects are minimized.
5.    Compliance of the Unit’s activities with the principles of the rule of law, legal certainty, and good governance is ensured.

Contract and Reporting

 ● Type: Individual Consultant (SSA)
 ● Modality: Home-based, office-based
 ● Reporting: UNESCO and the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine

• Communication (C)
• Accountability (C)
• Innovation (C)
• Knowlegde sharing and continuous improvement (C)
• Planning and organizing (C)
• Results focus (C)
• Teamwork (C)

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

EDUCATION

●    Higher legal education (law, public administration, digital transformation, or related fields).

WORK EXPERIENCE

●    At least 7-10 years of experience in drafting and/or supporting regulatory acts (laws of Ukraine, Cabinet of Ministers resolutions and decrees, ministerial orders).
●    At least 5 years of experience in cultural heritage recovery, management of cultural infrastructure, digitalization, state electronic registers, or information and communication systems, with knowledge of relevant Ukrainian legislation.
●    Experience working with public authorities and/or international organizations (recovery projects, reforms, technical assistance), specifically with UNESCO conventions and protocols adopted by Ukraine and other international treaties and regulatory frameworks, adopted according to Ukraine’s obligations, including its ascension to the European Union

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

●    Strong analytical skills and experience in preparing legal opinions, briefs, and concept papers.

LANGUAGES

●    Fluency in Ukrainian and professional proficiency in English (for working with legal acts, analytical materials, and international documents).

All candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information.
Please upload the following documents, as a single PDF document, in the ‘Employment History Form’ section:

1. An updated detailed Curriculum Vitae
2. A Cover Letter including financial proposal, based on the job description above.
Applications must reach UNESCO by 25 May 2026 (midnight, Kyiv time).

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information, by the above deadline.

To apply, please visit the UNESCO Careers website. No modifications can be made to the application once submitted. 

The process may include pre-recorded video interviews and/or written assessments, interviews with a Panel, as well as reference checks. In addition, candidates may be requested to provide additional information which may be pertinent to the position’s qualifications.  

Please note that all candidates, whether selected or not, will be informed of the outcome of their application in due course. 

Short-listed candidates may also be added to Talent Pools; subject to their consent (i.e. Data Privacy Statement).

• UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of personnel shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity.
• UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment.
• lndividuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
• All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
• The statutory retirement age at UNESCO is 65 years.
• UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the hiring process.