Project Assistant, NPSA – 5 (part-time 50%)

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The Dual Education Enhancement project is part of the Future Ready Serbia Portfolio, directly supporting the newly established Office for Dual Education and National Qualification Framework. This project will be implemented in several phases. It aims to create a business environment in Serbia that propels the Serbian economy into a knowledge and innovation-based economy based on equal opportunities and to develop a business-need-driven future-ready workforce with competencies and skills that are quick to match the ever-changing new technologies. The Project will work towards the outcome through a set of interventions that include support to strengthening the capacities of the Office for Dual Education and National Qualification Framework, providing linkages between the private and public sectors, international outreach to link the Office to the international dual education community and promotion of dual education in Serbia. Also, as the Office for Dual Education and National Qualification Framework has been recently established, UNDP has provided a temporary assistance by establishing a Project Implementation Unit in the Office to enable it to immediately manage the existing assistance (projects/grants/loans) until it manages to build its capacities at a regular pace (including but not limited to project loans financed and supported by the Council of Europe Development Bank: Dual Education Training Center, European Investment Bank: Serbian Education Infrastructure FL and KfW Development Bank: Good jobs for Serbia). The project will create a foundation for broader cooperation and facilitate large-scale project development.

Having said the abovementioned and taking into consideration the existing capacities, the Office for Dual Education and National Qualification Framework needs further strengthening of the capacities and in this sense, the presented ToR will enable UNDP CO Serbia to provide such support to the Office.

Duties And Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day support for project implementation:

• Actively participate in the realization of project supported initiatives set by the Office for Dual Education and National Qualification Framework in conceptualizing and implementing activities;
• Collect, analyse and present the background information for preparation of annual work plans and progress reports;
• Assist in procurement, logistics, travel, financial and other operational matters;
• Identify and collect policy-related and other information relevant for dual education, documents and data, compile and analyse data for further use in project management;
• Support organization and coordination of meetings, training sessions, workshops, conferences and project events and prepare reports, as required;
• Provide substantive support in drafting various documents, updates, talking points, presentations, reports and relevant communication materials;
• Preparing briefing materials, agendas for the meetings, providing requested inputs/background information relevant for discussions with stakeholders, keeping track of participants and registration lists, keeping minutes of each meeting detailing participation, main points discussed and conclusions reached.

Provide Day-to-day Support For Project Administration

• Draft correspondence on project issues, as required;
• Support the day-to-day implementation of project activities;
• Cover administrative project related tasks such as extracting, inputting, copying, scanning, faxing, mailing, photocopying, translating and filling data from various sources;
• Establish and maintain project filing system, incoming and outgoing correspondence and maintain calendar of events;

Provide Support To Knowledge Building And Knowledge Sharing

• Codify and share knowledge by capturing best practices, lessons learned and client’s feedback;
• Support activities related to assessing capacities and needs of government organizations and partners, in close collaboration with national counterparts, at both central and local level;
• Facilitate team’s learning and knowledge sharing
• Perform other duties within incumbent’s functional profile as assigned and deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the office and Organization

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Assistant will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Analyst, SDG Integration Center.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area Name Definition

External Relations & Advocacy/Partnership Management Relationship management

Ability to engage with a wide range of public and

private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen

working relations, trust and mutual understanding

Business Management

Monitoring

Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme

performance and results

Business Development Knowledge Generation Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context.

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Secondary Education is required. OR
• A university Degree in project management, administration, social or natural sciences or relevant related field will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement

Experience

• Minimum 5 years (with Secondary education) or 2 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in areas of data research and analysis (collection and processing of data), project management, project administration or relevant related field is required

Required Skills And Competencies

• Experience in the usage of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages

Desired Additional Skills And Competencies

• Experience in implementing projects that included extensive communication, data collection, coordination and facilitation requirements, analytics and logistics;
• Experience in working within the governmental or international/multilateral development context.
• Good organizational and time management skills/experience;
• Good application/experience of Results-Based Management
• Good communication, coordination and facilitation skills/experience
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Sound understanding of Serbia’s political, institutional, and socio-economic situation.
• Proven Ability to establish lasting relationships and substantive dialogue with clients.

Required Languages

• Fluency in Serbian and English is required.

The online application form must be fully completed. Applicants are required to carefully complete their online application form and reflect all of their work experience history in the application.

Only attaching a CV is not sufficient for applicants to be considered for positions. All applicants have to complete the Experience, Education, Language, and Nationality & Permanent Residence fields fully.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Disclaimer

Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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