Partnerships Advisor (Senior Advisor on EU negotiations - [Chapter 33 Financial and Budgetary provisions – payments expertise])

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 neighbouring 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 Advisor on EU negotiations - [Chapter 33 Financial and Budgetary provisions - payments expertise] will provide technical expertise to government authorities, primarily the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MFE) of the Republic of Albania that is responsible the negotiations of Chapter 33, the Chief Negotiator’s Office and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, as well as other institutions as appropriate, with regard to the legal, institutional and administrative alignment of Albania with Chapter 33 of the EU.

1. Technical Expertise

1. Mapping and analysing the existing national legislation in relation to the Chapter 33 acquis subchapter payments: Swift network, Third Party file.
2. Assessing of the following acquis: Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012.
3. Producing and delivering a Needs Assessment Report on the needed amendments of existing legislation on the state budget payments procedure/rules in compliance with EU regulations.

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.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

The Advisor on EU negotiations - [Chapter 33 Financial and Budgetary provisions - payments expertise] directly impacts on UNOPS’ contribution in supporting the country’s EU accession process. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS, and strengthens its competitive positions as a partner of choice in working with governments in enhancing and modernising their legal, economic and institutional system.

The incumbent will be engaged as a retainer and asked to perform specific tasks linked to supporting delivery of the project's work in Albania in advance when the requirements arise. The incumbent’s contributions and milestones will be assessed based on this agreed work plan for each assignment.

1. Mapping and analysing the existing national legislation in relation to the Chapter 33 acquis subchapter payments: Swift network, Third Party file.
2. Assessing of the following acquis: Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012.
3. Producing and delivering a Needs Assessment Report on the needed amendments of existing legislation on the state budget payments procedure/rules in compliance with EU regulations.

Expert deliverables

● A Workplan with details of the steps (activities and measures) that the expert will take for the successful finalisation of the assignment

● Mapping document of the existing national legislation in relation to the Chapter 33 acquis subchapter payments produced. The mapping should include the areas of Swift network and Third-Party file and provide the overview of the Albanian legislation in regard to the level of alignment with the EU acquis.

● An Assessment document for the EU acquis legislations produced. The Assessment document needs to contain at least the following pieces of acquis: Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2018/1046 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 July 2018 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, amending Regulations (EU) No 1296/2013, (EU) No 1301/2013, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 1304/2013, (EU) No 1309/2013, (EU) No 1316/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) No 283/2014, and Decision No 541/2014/EU and repealing Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012. It should provide information about the necessary steps that Albania needs to take in regard to aligning with the mentioned EU acquis.

● Needs Assessment Report on the needed amendments of existing legislation on the state budget payments procedure/rules in compliance with EU regulations produced. The report should provide clear and concise information on the changes that need to be made and the manner of approaching them.

● A brief final mission report prepared and delivered to UNOPS. The report should contain the information on the assignment and accomplishments that have been made under the work of the expert.

a. Education

-  An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) either in Finances, Economy, EU integration, Public Administration, Management, Development Studies 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.

b. Work experience

-  A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience working for/with the EU institution and/or working for/with the beneficiary countries in the area of financial and budgetary provisions of the EU is required.

-  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.

-  Familiarity with the payments (swift network and third-party file) is highly desirable.

-  Familiarity with the financial and budgetary context of the Western Balkans region is highly desirable.

c. Languages

-  Proficiency in English is required.

-  Knowledge of locally spoken languages including lingua franca is an advantage.

• 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.