Project Management Support – Officer (Country Local Coordinator), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Multiple positions

Background Information – Job-specific

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) was set up in August 2019 as a part of the UNOPS Europe & 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
• Grant Management
• Technical and Advisory Services

Under the framework of the multi-year project titled “Knowledge for Reform Action in the Western Balkans” UNOPS AUMCO 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 neighboring countries which have joined the EU. The project will result in strengthened institutional, administrative and legislative frameworks and practices. To this end, the Project will coordinate with the respective national governments, UN organizations and other development partners, as well as the civil society.

The Project Local Country Coordinator will be responsible for collecting and analyzing information as relevant to the EU accession and integration process and related reforms in a given country. Further, the LCC will follow up on all the EU integration related developments, initiatives and similar, and in particular any outstanding issues that may require attention of the SPM, providing regular analytical reports. The assignment timeline will be determined once the preparation for the inception workshops starts. The incumbent must be a national of Bosnia and Herzegovina, or Serbia.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager and/or Project Analyst, the Project Management Support – Officer will monitor and evaluate and report on the developments as relevant to the EU integration process, in particularly related reforms, collect data and prepare analytical reports. He/she will also identify potential gaps and challenges as relevant to the reform processes in a given country. In case of clearly defined priorities and related interventions the Local Country Coordinator may be requested to monitor the related progress. The LCCs will act as a contact point and contributor of materials for the Country’s Steering Committees. They will contribute inputs for drafting ToRs of learning networks and experts to be deployed as needed. The LCCs may be requested to attend and monitor other donors’ activities and coordination meetings related to EU integration as needed.

The LCCs should be well familiar with the EU actions and policy, in particular as relevant to the Support in Stabilization processes (SSP) and EU integration of the Western Balkans countries, and in particular in the respective country, as well as ongoing related national reforms in the respective beneficiary countries.

Under the overall guidance of the Senior Project Manager/Project Analyst, the Local County Coordinator will have the following responsibilities:

• Acting as a focal/contact point and contributor in preparing country level activities materials as well as material for the Country’s Steering Committees (formed under the Project),
• Contributing inputs for drafting ToRs for experts to be deployed, learning networks and similar,
• Facilitating maintaining good working relationships with the government, if needed,
• Facilitating the coordination of national stakeholders to foster cooperation between and among Project partners and stakeholders,
• Providing inputs in the development of the project’s annual and quarterly planning and timely, high-quality implementation of activities and deliverables,
• Monitoring and evaluating the project implementation and deliverables at the national level
• Facilitating communication and coordination between and among the Project personnel and the various National Focal Points on project implementation, its activities and requirements,
• Gathering information on EU integration developments and utilizing data and providing feedback to identify opportunities and strengthen the relationship between the Project and national government institutions and authorities,
• Drafting monthly reports providing an overview on EU integration related issues in the country as relevant to the EU integration process, challenges encountered, etc.
• Identifying risks and challenges including proper mitigation measures and communicating them to the SPM/PA,
• Support in mapping all partners and stakeholders at the national level and ensuring that Project personnel are kept updated on the structures of governments at all levels including changes.
• Support in developing stakeholder profiles and facilitating the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies,
• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of project communications,
• Monitoring relevant government activities, progress, exceptions ensuring the gaps are identified and overlapping minimized,
• Collecting and sharing case studies, lessons learned and best practices as relevant to the EU integration.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

Advanced University degree is required. Law, EU integration, International Relations, Public Administration, Public Policy, Management, Developments Studies, Sociology, Political Sciences, Finance, Social Sciences, or other relevant disciplines are required.

A Bachelor’s degree with additional two years of experience can be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 1 years of experience in EU pre-accession issues either with government or NGOs, think tanks, academic institutions, research institutions or similar
• Understanding of Stabilization and Accession Agreements (SAA) and negotiation process in the respective country
• Proven record of experience in conducting research, analysis or similar
• Knowledge of the political and socio-economic context of the country, preferably also familiarity with the socio-political and economic context of the WB region,
• Excellent Analytical and communication skills.

Language

● Fluency in English (speaking, reading and writing) is required.

● Locally spoken (Bosnian, or Serbian) languages are mandatory (mother tongue)

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement – ICA retainer modality. A retainer contract is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor are required intermittently. The individual contractor agreement on retainer basis will specify a “unit price” per day worked. For budgetary purposes, a monetary cap will be determined when the contract is awarded and issued. Please note that the retainer contract will not provide for a minimum, and payment will be made only after completion of work Contract level: LICA-8 Contract duration: 6 months with the possibility of extensions, subject to the project’s requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

• 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.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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.

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.