Project Management Support - Associate (Capacity Building Sector)

The European Union for Local Development Programme - EU PRO Plus will contribute to more balanced socio-economic development in Serbia by enhancing territorial development management, supporting economic growth, and improving social infrastructure and social cohesion of 99 local self-governments in two regions: Šumadija and Western Serbia and South and Eastern Serbia. The European Union (EU) has allocated 40 million Euros through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) 2020 to fund the Programme which will be led by the Ministry of European Integration and implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) over a period of 42 months.

There are three results that the Programme will achieve in targeted municipalities:

• Result 1: Improved development planning and introduction of the Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) concept
• Result 2: Enhanced economic growth 
• Result 3: Improved social infrastructure and social cohesion

While building on the momentum created by its three predecessors (1), the Programme also focuses on four cross cutting aspects: good governance, digitalisation and innovations, environmental and climate change aspects and gender equality. In addition, EU PRO Plus will, through its activities, where relevant and feasible, strive to remedy some of the negative COVID-19 effects. 

The direct beneficiaries of the EU PRO Plus are the Ministry of European Integration, 99 local self-governments, local administration structures, regional development agencies, other business support organisations, local SMEs, and civil society organisations (CSOs). The final beneficiaries are the inhabitants of 99 municipalities. 

All programme activities will be undertaken in partnership with the Government of Serbia, while respecting the national policies and priorities, in order to ensure national ownership and help develop national capacities. The EU PRO Plus is based on the National Priorities for International Assistance in the Republic of Serbia until 2025 (NAD), crucial for economic and social development and the EU integration process, while particularly contributing to preparation for the fulfilment of the requirements under Chapter 22 of the EU acquis - Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Management Support  Senior Officer, the Project Management Support - Associate for the Capacity Building Sector will support  the implementation of the activities related to integrated territorial development and technical assistance to local governments, regional development agencies and the Ministry of European Integration. The Associate will also monitor and support implementation of Programme Activity relating to implementation of projects contributing to socio-economic growth deriving from the integrated territorial planning strategies. 

The Project Management Support - Associate for the Capacity Building Sector will undertake the following specific activities/responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of activities related to capacity building for ISTD, including development of approach for implementation of activities, development of terms of references for engagement of consultants and procurement of services
• Contribute to development of criteria for selection of provision of technical assistance (TA) to the LSGs, RDAs and other local and regional entities in preparation of ISTD strategies, development of the Calls for Proposals (CFPs) for implementation of pilot grant schemes for projects deriving from developed ISTD strategies, manage assessment of the received applications and recommendation of  beneficiaries
• Support implementation and monitoring of the projects deriving from developed ISTD strategies 
• Support awareness raising activities and provision of technical assistance in enhancement of capacities of the MEI, RDAs and LSGs to introduce and apply integrated approach to territorial development
• Organise trainings, information sessions, workshops, study visits and other events related to promotion of the TA and CFPs and capacity building of local, regional  and national partners
• With the guidance of the Project Management Support Senior Officer for Capacity Building, coordinate work of assistant, retainers and service providers and review produced material  needed for implementation of capacity building  activities
• Provide input to reports as envisaged by the Programme Document and analysis of external documents and trends relevant for the Capacity Building Sector 
• Contribute to presentation of the Programme's activities related to enhancing  national, regional and local capacities for management of ISTD
• Establish and maintain professional relationship with the key Sector beneficiaries, including the Ministry of European Integration (MEI), local self-governments (LSGs), Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and other local, regional and national organisations and entities 
• Support dialogue and cooperation between LSGs, RDAs, and other private and public sector stakeholders at the local and regional level in order to help them to identify opportunities for partnership and joint socio-economic development initiatives
• Contribute to efficient and effective use of EU PRO Plus and UNOPS tools for monitoring of Programme's performance, outputs and benefits
• Contribute to identification and assessment of risks and implement mitigation measures in accordance with the Risk Management Strategy and contribute to identification and sharing of the Programme’s lessons learned and best practices
• Provide support to the Programme's communication and visibility activities
• With guidelines from the Project Management Support  Senior Officer, Project Manager and through collaboration with other Programme sectors, contribute to other Programme initiatives, including but not limited to support in evaluation of other Programme CFPs, implementation of activities falling under other Programme results
• Provide inputs to Programme work, financial, procurement plans in parts related to capacity building activities
• Contribute to establishment and maintenance of archive related to Capacity Building Sector activities
• Provide timely and punctual information to the Programme and UNOPS Serbia MCO about capacity building  milestones, as well as about relevant external developments about these fields
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent's scope of services above.

• Secondary school diploma is required
• Bachelor's or Master’s degree preferably in a field related to urban/municipal planning, economics or social science/s would be considered an asset

• Six years of working experience in development projects targeting LSGs related to capacity building and/or strategic planning is required. Bachelor or Master degree may substitute for some years of experience. 
• In depth knowledge of European Union (EU) Cohesion Policy, sustainable urban development policies and relevant EU and National documents in the area of integrated territorial development is an asset
• Knowledge on strategic planning and capacity building programme designing and delivering will be considered as an asset

• Fluency in Serbian and English is required

• Driving license and ability to travel independently is required 

• PRojects IN Controlled Environments 2 (PRINCE2) Foundation Certification will be considered as an asset

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

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: Local ICA Support - ICS 6
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and 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 personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

The UNOPS Republic of Serbia Multi Country Office (RSMCO) is implementing 12 projects in Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro.

In Serbia, where UNOPS has been active since 2000, and North Macedonia and Montenegro where UNOPS works since 2017, the organisation provides support in demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union. The projects focus on sustainable socio-economic development, good governance, social cohesion, environment and emergency response. The projects are implemented with the funding from the European Union (EU), Kingdom of Norway, Governments of Switzerland, Sweden and North Macedonia.

All projects have gender equality as a transversal theme, and have been contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives.