Partnerships Advisor (EU negotiations Biofuels and bioliquids – Chapter 15 Energy, Retainer)

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  

Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

• Infrastructure
• Procurement 
• Project Management (full service, back on track)
• HR and Transactional Services
• Grants Management 
• Technical and Advisory Services
• Project Information

Project Information

Under the framework of the multi-year project titled “Knowledge for Reform Action in the Western Balkans,” UNOPS is providing support in the six countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) with access to tailored expertise, knowledge and best practice to assist them with advancing their respective reform agenda. Learning and exchanges will be promoted across the Region, as well as from neighboring countries which have joined the European Union (EU). The aim of the project is to strengthen institutional, administrative and legislative frameworks and practices.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor, and in close cooperation with beneficiaries, the Partnerships Advisor will provide legal advice to the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade (MIET). This assignment falls under Chapter 15 Energy and is connected to the Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. It is one of the activities of the Ministry of Industry, Entrepreneurship and Trade within the key strategic document - European Reform Agenda II. Finally, it is one of the conclusions from the meeting of the Energy Subcommittee “INFRA”.

Law no. 08/l-018 for the trade in oil products and renewable fuels was approved at the beginning of 2022 and based on this law, by the end of this year, administrative instruction (bylaw) on biofuels and bioliquids has to be drafted and approved. Due to the lack of experts in this field in Kosovo, the drafting of the bylaw has not yet started. For this reason, it is necessary to hold training and then support the Working Group on drafting the administrative instruction on biofuels and bioliquids in the transposition of Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources.

1. Technical Expertise
2. Stakeholder Engagement

1. Technical Expertise

• Prepare training materials on the organisation of the training on key findings of the EU directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
• Deliver training for the working group on the on key findings of EU Directive 2009/28/EC.
• Support working group in drafting the bylaw (administrative instruction) for the use of biofuels and bioliquids
• Support working group in transposition of EU Directive 2009/28/EC by delivering the Table of Concordance of the proposed administrative instruction on biofuels and bioliquids with this EU acquis.

2. Stakeholder Engagement

• Establish solid working relationships, engage, discuss, negotiate and liaise with key national stakeholders, including government officials.
• Support the development of good working relationships with key personnel in the EU, through a large network of key contacts at EU institutions.

Education

• An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) either in Petroleum Engineering or other relevant discipline is required. 
• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in combination with 2 additional years of progressively relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work experience 

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience providing professional experience in advisory services and specific experience in biofuels.
• Working experience in Oil Regulatory Agencies, and/or in any related EU public bodies, entitled with oil regulatory market will be considered as an asset.
• Familiarity with the Western Balkans legal framework would be highly desirable. 
• Proven records of building strong relationships and/or operate in an influential manner with gov authorities and/or UN officials is required
• Ability to consistently exercise discretion and confidentiality with sensitive information is highly desirable.

Languages

• Proficiency in English is required.
• Knowledge of Albania or Serbian is highly desirable.

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: I-ICA 3
Contract duration: Retainer - 25 days (with a possibility of extending)

• 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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
  
• 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.  
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• 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.