Team Leader - Improvement of legislation, control and awareness in food safety, animal health and welfare and phytosanitary in Ukraine (ILCA III) (m/f/d)

The project aims to support the government of Ukraine in adopting the EU acquis in the fields of food safety, animal health and welfare, and phytosanitary measures. It will contribute to raise the capacities of both the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food (MAPF) and the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection (SSUFSCP) in designing and implementing key reforms in these sectors and enhance the functionality of Ukraine’s services, control and infrastructure system in a gradual alignment with relevant EU and other international standards. The project will notably continue supporting the approximation of Ukrainian legislation with EU legislation in sanitary and phytosanitary areas, build the risk assessment and control capacities of competent authority and contribute to the digitalization of its services.

The project is expected to commence in September 2025 and will have a duration of 40 months.

Objectives:

The main objectives are to enhance the functionality of food safety, animal health, and welfare services, as well as the control system. This will be achieved by gradually aligning with EU and other international standards, ensuring health guarantees for animals in different regions of the country, and implementing a comprehensive state prophylactic program against specific infectious diseases and zoonoses.

Your tasks:

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the project to ensure the successful delivery of objectives.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring of all project activities.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the Government of Ukraine, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, etc.
• Foster strong relationships and effective communication with EU representatives, local authorities, and project partners.
• Provide expert guidance and support in aligning Ukrainian legislation, policies, and institutions with EU acquis in agriculture, rural development, fisheries, and aquaculture.
• Oversee the preparation of comprehensive project reports, including progress updates, technical documentation, and final deliverables.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and reporting requirements.
• Manage the project budget, ensuring efficient use of resources and adherence to financial guidelines.
• Design and implement training programs, workshops, and knowledge transfer initiatives to enhance the capacities of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and its executive agencies.
• Support the digitalization of agricultural services, including the development and integration of the State Agrarian Register and related systems.

Your qualifications: 

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in food safety or sciences, or veterinary medicine or science, phytosanitary, or a directly related discipline
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Working knowledge of the Ukrainian language will be considered an asset
• At least 10 years of professional experience relating to food safety, implementation of veterinary activities, legislation or projects, or relating to activities in the phytosanitary or plant health sector
• Management experience as a Team Leader
• At least 3 years of professional experience in an EU candidate country

Your application:

Please send your CV with the subject line "Team Leader Ukraine ILCA III" to Ms. Sandra Bieberbach, s.bieberbach@iakleipzig.de.