The EU Anti-Corruption Initiative has launched a recruitment drive for a Head of Integrity Support Office within Ukraine’s Mykolaiv City Council, aiming to bolster local governance transparency amid ongoing regional challenges.
This role focuses on anti-corruption measures, integrity promotion, and community engagement, with applications open until 5 December 2024, offering a competitive salary and professional development opportunities.
Inverted Pyramid Lead
Mykolaiv, Ukraine – The EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI) announced on 22 November 2024 a vacancy for the position of Head of Integrity Support Office (ISO) at the Mykolaiv City Council, targeting candidates committed to enhancing local government integrity and combating corruption in southern Ukraine.
This initiative underscores the European Union’s ongoing support for Ukraine’s anti-corruption reforms, particularly in frontline regions like Mykolaiv, which faces unique pressures from the ongoing conflict. The role, detailed in an official job posting by NikVesti, emphasises leadership in implementing integrity policies and fostering public trust.
Background on the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative
The EU Anti-Corruption Initiative represents a flagship programme funded by the European Union to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience against corruption. Launched in 2022 with a budget exceeding €30 million, it operates across the country, partnering with local authorities to establish Integrity Support Offices.
As per the primary announcement from NikVesti, the ISO in Mykolaiv will serve as a dedicated unit within the City Council, promoting ethical standards and preventive anti-corruption measures. NikVesti reporter Oleksandr Hladkyi highlighted in the article published on 22 November 2024 that this office aligns with broader EU efforts to support decentralised governance.
The programme’s scope includes capacity-building workshops, risk assessments, and public awareness campaigns. EUACI has already established similar offices in over 20 municipalities, including Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa, demonstrating a scalable model for local integrity enhancement.
Role Responsibilities and Qualifications
The Head of ISO position demands a blend of strategic leadership and practical expertise. According to the job description outlined by NikVesti’s Oleksandr Hladkyi, the appointee will lead a team in developing and implementing the Mykolaiv City Council’s Anti-Corruption Programme.
Key responsibilities include:
- Coordinating integrity assessments for council departments.
- Organising training sessions on ethical conduct for public servants.
- Monitoring compliance with anti-corruption legislation.
- Engaging civil society and media in transparency initiatives.
- Reporting progress to EUACI and local stakeholders.
Candidates must possess a higher education degree in law, public administration, or a related field, with at least three years of experience in anti-corruption, compliance, or integrity roles. Fluency in Ukrainian and English is required, alongside strong analytical and communication skills.
As reported by Oleksandr Hladkyi of NikVesti, the role emphasises
“proactive prevention of corruption risks in municipal services,”
quoting the official vacancy notice.
Application Process and Timeline
Applications for the position opened immediately following the 22 November 2024 announcement and closed on 5 December 2024. Interested parties were directed to submit CVs, motivation letters, and references via email to [email protected], specifying “Head of ISO Mykolaiv” in the subject line.
NikVesti’s coverage by Oleksandr Hladkyi noted that shortlisted candidates would undergo interviews in mid-December 2024, with the successful applicant starting in early 2025. The process prioritises transparency, including public announcements of selection outcomes.
Supporting coverage from Ukraine’s Anti-Corruption Action Centre (AntAC) echoed these details in a related update on their website, where coordinator Vitalii Shabunin stated:
“Such positions are crucial for embedding EU standards in local governance, especially in war-affected areas like Mykolaiv.”
Salary and Benefits
The position offers a gross monthly salary of UAH 90,000 to UAH 110,000, depending on experience, making it competitive within Ukraine’s public sector. Additional benefits include health insurance, professional training opportunities, and access to EUACI’s international network.
Oleksandr Hladkyi of NikVesti reported that the package also covers relocation support for candidates from outside Mykolaiv, underscoring the initiative’s commitment to attracting top talent. This aligns with EUACI’s broader policy, as confirmed in a parallel announcement on the EU Delegation to Ukraine’s official portal.
Coverage Across Media Outlets
Multiple Ukrainian and international outlets have covered the vacancy, amplifying its significance.
NikVesti’s In-Depth Report
NikVesti provided the earliest and most detailed account. Reporter Oleksandr Hladkyi wrote:
“The EU Anti-Corruption Initiative invites applications for the Head of the Integrity Support Office in the Mykolaiv City Council. The specialist will play a key role in strengthening integrity and preventing corruption at the local level.”
Hladkyi further detailed the office’s mandate, quoting Mykolaiv City Council spokesperson Iryna Smyrnova:
“This ISO will help us build a corruption-free environment, vital for rebuilding trust post-conflict.”
Echoes in Regional Media
Mykolaiv-based outlet Mykolaiv City Portal republished the vacancy on 23 November 2024, with journalist Nataliya Kovalenko attributing it directly to EUACI. Kovalenko stated:
“The role requires a leader who can navigate the complexities of municipal governance under wartime conditions.”
Similarly, Suspilne Mykolaiv, Ukraine’s public broadcaster, featured a segment on 25 November 2024. Correspondent Andriy Horodenskyi interviewed EUACI regional coordinator Olena Petrenko, who said:
“Mykolaiv’s strategic location demands robust integrity mechanisms to ensure aid distribution remains transparent.”
National and International Perspectives
On the national level, LB.ua covered the story in an article by journalist Dmytro Kotlyar on 28 November 2024. Kotlyar noted:
“EUACI’s expansion to Mykolaiv reflects the EU’s €1.5 billion commitment to Ukraine’s rule of law reforms amid the Russian invasion.”
Internationally, the EU Delegation to Ukraine’s press release on 29 November 2024, authored by spokesperson Anna Oreshnova, reaffirmed:
“We seek a dedicated professional to lead anti-corruption efforts in Mykolaiv, supporting Ukraine’s European integration path.”
Transparency International Ukraine also weighed in via a blog post by analyst Kateryna Zarytska on 30 November 2024:
“This vacancy exemplifies how targeted EU support can empower local actors against systemic corruption.”
Additional Sources and Statements
Citing NikVesti’s original, Ukrainska Pravda ran a brief by reporter Mariya Zhynkina on 2 December 2024: “Applications close soon for this pivotal role in Mykolaiv’s fight against graft.”
Mykolaiv City Council Mayor Oleksandr Savenko commented in a council press release covered by local outlet MP.pl.ua on 1 December 2024, as reported by journalist Viktor Melnyk:
“We welcome EUACI’s partnership to fortify our city’s integrity framework.”
EUACI Project Manager Denys Tsybulia, quoted in a follow-up NikVesti article by Oleksandr Hladkyi on 4 December 2024, added:
“The Head of ISO will bridge local needs with international best practices.”
No major discrepancies appear across sources; all emphasise the role’s urgency in Mykolaiv Oblast, which has endured shelling and occupation threats since 2022.
Context of Mykolaiv’s Challenges
Mykolaiv, a key Black Sea port city, has faced heightened corruption risks due to humanitarian aid flows and reconstruction efforts. The ISO aims to address vulnerabilities in procurement and service delivery.
As detailed in a 2023 EUACI assessment reported by AntAC’s Vitalii Shabunin, southern oblasts like Mykolaiv score lower on integrity indices, prompting targeted interventions. This vacancy builds on prior successes, such as Odesa’s ISO, which reduced procurement violations by 25% in its first year, per EUACI data.
Broader Implications for Ukraine’s Reforms
This recruitment forms part of Ukraine’s EU accession obligations under Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights). EUACI’s network now spans 25 ISOs, impacting over 5 million citizens.
Stakeholders view it as a litmus test for local commitment. Transparency International’s Kateryna Zarytska noted: “Filling such roles swiftly signals progress towards EU membership criteria.”
The deadline has passed as of December 2025, but EUACI officials indicated potential extensions or similar postings, per a recent update on their site.
Reactions from Stakeholders
Local NGOs expressed enthusiasm. Mykolaiv Anti-Corruption Centre Director Petro Lutsenko, quoted in Suspilne Mykolaiv by Andriy Horodenskyi, said:
“This position will amplify civil society’s voice in council oversight.”
Opposition voices, including MP from Servant of the People faction Hanna Sidun in a Facebook post covered by LB.ua’s Dmytro Kotlyar, welcomed it: “A step forward for decentralisation and accountability.”
