Partnerships Advisor (EU negotiations - Chapter 8 Competition – vertical agreements and concerted practices)

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

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor, and in close cooperation with beneficiaries, the incumbent will provide technical expertise to government authorities, primarily the Commission for Protection of Competition (CPC) of the Republic of North Macedonia. The assignment will also be done in consultations with the Secretariat for European Affairs, as well as other institutions as appropriate. 

North Macedonia is moderately prepared for the EU Membership requirements in the area of competition. The legislative framework remains broadly aligned with EU rules. However, certain implementing legislation has yet to be aligned, such as the categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices. The EU Country Report 2021 and the priority conclusions of the Subcommittee on Internal Market and Competition of 9 February 2022 point to the need to align the Macedonian legislation with the Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/720 of 10 May 2022 on the application of Article 101(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices (VBER).

Therefore, North Macedonia needs support for the bylaw on block exemptions on categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices.

• Assist in drafting the By-law on block exemptions on categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices
  
  

• An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) in Law, Economy, EU integration, Finance 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.

• 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 field of competition is required
• Knowledge of the EU acquis on the categories of vertical agreements and concerted practices is highly desirable
• Familiarity with the context of competition policy in the Western Balkans region is 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.

• Proficiency in English is required.
• Knowledge of locally spoken languages including lingua franca is an advantage.

Contract type: The contract type will depend on the nationality and country of residence of the selected candidate.
Contract level: ICS-11, Retainer
Contract duration: 10 days, with possibility of extension (subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance)

• 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.