Capacity Building Advisor - Integrated Sustainable Territorial Development (retainer position)

UNOPS implements the European Union Support to Municipal Development - EU PRO Programme since 2018 and has been identified as implementing partner of its successor - the European Union for Local Development - EU PRO + Programme that will contribute to reduction of socio-economic disparities between the two less developed regions and the rest of Serbia. While tackling a range of economic themes, this Programme will provide inputs for design and establishment of the Serbian model for integrated and sustainable territorial development (ISTD), while considering practices and mechanisms existing in the European Union (EU) and, more specifically, criteria for the fulfilment of EU Cohesion Policy Requirements.   

The EU PRO + Programme is in its preparatory phase and a portion of the preparatory activities will be conducted under the ongoing EU PRO Programme to prepare for the swift initiation of the successor. The engagement beyond June 2021 is conditional pending signing of project agreement.

• Advise the Project Manager, Head of Office, the Head of Programme, and other senior RSPO/Project personnel regarding the ISTD  
• Provide technical inputs for the development of documents related to ISTD, primarily considering  EU approaches and territorial instruments 
• Accompany relevant UNOPS personnel in meetings related to the ISTD

• Conduct or provide expert input for conduct of analysis related to establishment and development of ISTD model in Serbia, including provision of recommendations for the ISTD model
• Provide expert inputs for Serbian legislation related to Cohesion Policy and “products” that contribute to building the institutional framework for future use of EU territorial development instruments
• Lead or contribute to development of regulations related to the introduction and management of the Serbia’s model for the ISTD, while among other considering Chapter 22 of the EU Acquis 
• Lead or contribute to the definition of processes and creation of tools that facilitate introduction and management of ISTD mechanisms
• Review available information on capacities of the Regional Development Agencies, Local Self-governments (LSGs), and Local Action Groups (LAGs) 

• Contribute to design and conduct of capacity building needs assessment of Ministry of European Integration (MEI), RDAs, LSGs, LAGs and other beneficiaries related to introduction of the ISTD
• Provide expert inputs for development of capacity programme related to introduction and management of ISTD that will benefit MEI, RDAs, and LAGs
• Strongly contribute to definition of methodological approach for development of ISTD Strategies and provide expert support for the development of these policies
• Develop and deliver training sessions or other learning functions related to ISTD models, while considering examples from the EU countries that are most relevant for the Serbian context
• Provide on the job support to the MEI related to development and introduction of ISTD model 
• Strongly support organisation of ISTD related Study Tours 

• Design and deliver learning functions to enhance UNOPS RSPO knowledge of the ISTD
• Conduct peer review of documents/products related to ISTD
• Provide inputs to the reports, briefings, and other written materials
• Contribute to the Project communication and visibility activities in developing materials, publications, articles, and news on ISTD
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above

• Master degree, preferably in development, economics or management studies is required. Bachelor’s degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree

• Minimum seven years of work experience related to integrated and sustainable territorial development is required
• Experience of working in cooperation with the government(s) of EU countries on establishment and/ or management of integrated territorial development is required 
• Experience with international organisations is highly desirable

• Fluency in English is required

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) Retainer*
Contract level: I-ICA 3 (ICS11)
Contract duration: Up to 160 working days in one year period

*If the selected candidate is based in a duty station where there is a national scale, s/he may be offered the local equivalent position. 

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

• 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
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.