Specialist on Harmonization of Legislation with the Acquis (retainer position)

Nordic Support for Progress in Macedonia

The Government of Norway has decided to fund a sub-regional programme “Nordic Support for Progress in Macedonia” to be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The project consists of a socio-economic development support to the more undeveloped parts of the country and also envisages support to the Macedonian authorities responsible for leading the renewed efforts on the EU accession process.

The Government of Norway has allocated funding for the implementation of the Project in Macedonia during 24 months.

The Overall Objective is to contribute to a more balanced socio-economic development and contribute to the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement and EU accession negotiations priori-ties.

Specifically, the programme has objectives at the local and national levels i.e. locally, to increase employment opportunities, support social cohesion as well as to enhance local infrastructure in the less developed areas with a focus given to the inclusion of youth, women and vulnerable groups in the labour market. Nationally, the programme aims at supporting the government to improve its capacity for EU integration.

The project has three results:

Result 1: Improved Access to Employment of the Most Vulnerable and Marginalised Groups (in Particular Women and Youth)

Result 2: Enhanced Social Inclusion, Living Conditions and Local Infrastructure improved

Result 3: Support the government reform agenda in the accession process

Background Information - in relation to the assignment

Macedonian Government is in process of preparations for formal opening of accession negotiations with the EU and is accelerating government reforms, including implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) in two successive stages. At present, there is an on-going transition to the SAA second stage and of explanatory meetings of the European Commission on the chapters of the acquis. The overall process is coordinated by the Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA), as main coordination body in the accession negotiation process.

The National Programme for Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA), as key strategic and planning document in the accession negotiation process, encompasses the on-going process of gradual approximation of legislation with the acquis covering all areas already in the SAA first stage, including those foreseen for the second stage. The NPAA is planned, monitored and updated on regular basis by working groups for approximation to the acquis, following the structure of the 33 chapters of the acquis.

The process of alignment of the national legislation with the acquis represents one of the most important and challenging parts of the accession negotiation process. It is continuous and demanding task for the administration, taking into consideration the constant developments of the acquis and the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The massive and difficult exercise of law approximation involve legal and non-legal experts in all areas of the acquis, with limited knowledge of the EU law, national legislation, and skills for transposition, planning and drafting legislation. In general, there is need for setting-up consistent framework for systematic capacity building of civil servants involved in the harmonization process.

The country developed methodologies and guidelines for legal drafting and law harmonization with the acquis. With the advancement in the accession process, these guidelines need adjustments in order to meet additional requirements for full alignment with the acquis and implementation of the legislation, and at the same time, preserve coherence of the national legal system.

The Legislation Secretariat (LS) is responsible body for ensuring the legal consistency of the national legislation and verification of the level of compliance with the acquis, while the Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA) is responsible for checking the compliance with the SAA obligations and monitoring the overall legislative process. Both institutions have the key role in the coordination, planning and monitoring of law harmonization with the acquis, within the framework of NPAA.

The project, under the Result 3: Support the Government Reform Agenda in the Accession Process, will assess priorities and provide support in the development of a consistent framework and tailor-made training programmes for systematic capacity building of civil servants.

SEA will serve as focal point, provide all relevant documentation, working tools and instructions, and designate contact person/ coordinator to facilitate the work of selected specialist under this ToR.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Specialist on Harmonization of the Legislation with the Acquis, will provide technical assistance to the Legislation Secretariat (LS) and the Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA), with regards to law harmonization and compliance of national legislation with the acquis.

More specifically, the Specialist will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

• Prepare tailor-made training package to include: an overview of EU law, types of acquis, methods, challenges and best practices in transposition of the acquis into the national legislation; transposition steps, and challenges on implementation and enforcement.
• Conduct at least 3 workshops on: the legal harmonization with practical examples, for various target groups.
• Assist and provide recommendations to LS, SEA and the working group established on the review of current methodology of law approximation, possible simplification of current legal instruments (table of concordance, statement of compliance) and transposition options.
• Provide on-the-job coaching and training of LS staff in the analysis of the acquis, table of concordance with different types of the acquis, and on verification of the level of compliance.
• Identify issues and areas that may be subject to further project assistance or other donor assistance.

Education

• Advanced University Degree in Law, EU law, EU policy or similar relevant to the assignment, is required
• University Degree (Bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• Minimum five years of postgraduate professional experience in legal drafting and/or EU policies or EU integration, gained in an EU Member State, candidate or potential candidate country is required.
• Professional experience in the area of harmonization of national legislation with the acquis and/or preparation of guidelines would be an asset.
• Proven experience in the preparation and conducting training programmes on law approximation, in the accession process would be an asset;
• Experience and/or knowledge of the Macedonian legislation would be an asset;

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English (speaking, reading and writing) is required

• Excellent communication skills
• Confirmed analytical skills
• Confirmed reporting skills

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: I-ICA 2
Contract duration: Up to 50 w/days in period of one year

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.