Senior Architect - retainer position

Under the supervision of the Head of Programme and direction of the Project Manager, the Senior Architect is responsible for providing expert architectural support for the design and development of judicial infrastructure in Montenegro, in accordance with relevant national regulations and proven international/EU standards.

The Senior Architect will provide technical support for the Project’s infrastructure-related activities, with a primary focus on developing the technical design for the judiciary complex in Podgorica, in line with relevant requirements and standards. The design, in addition to complying with technical standards, shall meet functional and spatial requirements, safety and security, accessibility and inclusion criteria, as well as sustainability requirements. 

Specifically, the selected candidate  will undertake the following responsibilities:

• Provide expert advice on the Project’s infrastructure-related activities; 
• Provide subject-matter expertise and architectural advice in relation to judicial infrastructure design and planning.
• Review and assess existing architectural and technical documentation related to the judiciary buildings and the judiciary complex project.
• Support the Project team in consultations with the Ministry of Justice and beneficiary institutions to translate functional and operational needs into architectural requirements.
• Contribute to the preparation and/or review of the design briefs, concept designs, preliminary and detailed designs, ensuring compliance with national legislation, EU standards, and international best practices for judicial buildings and high-security facilities.
• Ensure that architectural solutions integrate modern standards of efficiency, security, accessibility and inclusion, environmental sustainability, and adaptability to the digitalisation of judicial processes.
• Provide expert recommendations on space planning, workflow optimisation, and functional zoning within judicial buildings.
• Participate in technical reviews, site visits, and meetings with stakeholders to provide architectural insights and quality assurance.
• Contribute to project reports, including recommendations for the design and development of judicial infrastructure.

Education

• An Advanced University Degree (Master’s level or higher) in Architecture is required.
• Additional academic achievements (e.g. PhD, professorship) in architecture or related fields would be a strong asset.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of experience in the field of architectural design and construction of public buildings is required.
• Experience in the design and/or supervision of complex infrastructure projects, preferably including judicial, governmental, or high-security facilities is required.
• Experience in functional and spatial planning of institutional buildings, with emphasis on workflow optimisation, security, and accessibility requirements, is an asset.
• Experience in engagement with governmental institutions, academia, international organisations, and donors would be an asset.
• Previous involvement in architectural projects in Montenegro or the Western Balkans region is an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required.
• Knowledge of Montenegrin, Serbian, Croatian or Bosnian will be considered an asset

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) - retainer*
Contract level: IICA 3 (ICS 11)
Contract duration: Up to 100 working days in the period of one year

*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. 

• 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. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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 

• 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 ( they take around 4 hours to complete)  in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• 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.