Capacity Building Specialist (retainer position)

Nordic Support for Progress of North Macedonia

The Government of Norway has decided to fund a sub-regional programme “Nordic Support for Progress in North 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 of the Norway support is to contribute to a more balanced socio-economic development and contribute to the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement and EU accession negotiations priorities.

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 capacity for EU integration.

All Programme activities will be undertaken in partnership with the Government of Macedonia, in cooperation with the national and local institutions, with the aim of allowing them to adopt/adapt the legal requirements and, where relevant, EU accession criteria.

This will ensure national ownership and support the development of national capacities.

Background Information – relevant for the assignment

The purpose of Result 3 “Supporting the government reform agenda in the accession process” is to provide support to relevant national is to contribute to further building of capacities of the central coordination structures for the accession process and relevant national authorities.

The Parliament Committee for European affairs (CEA) monitor the implementation of the NPAA legislative plan and obligations arising from the SAA and other international instruments; harmonization of the national legislation with the EU legislation; other activities relevant for the accession process; monitor Government activities, relevant for the accession negotiation process; regular inform the Parliament on all EU related issues; cooperate with other working bodies of the parliament.

The project will provide consultancy support in conducting the needs assessment of CEA, through outsourced expertise/consultancy. Based on the assessment findings and recommendations, the project team will design and implement a tailor-made training curriculum/capacity building project that will be provided to the CEA by the consultancy, and will be aimed at bridging the recorded gaps, and further developing existing competencies and knowledge for accession process.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Capacity Building Specialist will provide technical expertise to the Parliamentary Committee for European Affairs (CEA) and it’s secretariat, and will conduct will conduct Training Needs Assessment and Strengthening the Administrative Capacities. 

Responsibilities/ activities

• Assessment and development of short-term Plan for strengthening the capacity on Parliamentary Committee for European Affairs (CEA) and it’s secretariat;
  • Design of the Training Needs Assessment (TNA) Questionnaire(s);
  • Disseminate the Questionnaire(s) to relevant beneficiary staff;
  • As necessary, organise focus groups for further clarification of received answers to the Questionnaire(s);
  • Collect and process/analyse Questionnaires;
  • Develop the Draft-Report on TNA;
  • Develop the Draft-Plan for strengthening the administrative capacity in identified areas;
  • Facilitate a Workshop to present the findings of the plan.

Outputs

• Training Needs Assessment Questionnaire(s) designed;
• The Draft-Reports on TNA developed;
• The Draft-Plan for strengthening the capacity developed;
• The Workshop to present the findings of Plan facilitated;
• The short-term Draft-Training Plans for strengthening the capacity developed
• Workshop(s) conducted, background documentation and presentation
• Draft final report for the assignment

Education

• Advanced University Degree preferably in public administration, management, developments studies or other relevant social sciences / discipline 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

• Five years with master’s degree or seven years with bachelor’s degree of direct experience in capacity building activities is required
• Two  years’ experience in Training Needs Assessments (TNA) and training implementation is required
• Working with /for operational structures for European integration issue is strongly desirable
• Knowledge of the legislative process, screening acquis, law approximation would be an asset

Language Requirements

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

ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A CV AND COVER LETTER ALONG WITH THEIR APPLICATION

• Good analytical skills
• Good reporting skills
• Computer literacy

This is a local position, it is therefore open to nationals of the Republic of North Macedonia and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.

Contract type: Local ICA Retainer
Contract level: L-ICA 10
Contract duration: Up to 15 working days, in period of five months


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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.