Capacity Building Advisor – Integrated Sustainable Territorial Development (retainer position)

Background Information

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

UNOPS has been active in Serbia since 2000, and the operations of UNOPS Serbia Project Office (RSPO) have since 2017 expanded to North Macedonia and Montenegro.

UNOPS has been a reliable partner primarily of the Government of Serbia, and later of the Governments of North Macedonia and Montenegro, in providing support for demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union.

Currently, the RSPO is implementing 12 projects focussed on sustainable socio-economic development, social cohesion, creating environment for employability, business and infrastructure growth, increased security, improved education, enhanced social inclusion either via enabling durable housing solutions or providing access to health, education and jobs for the most vulnerable population. All projects have good governance and gender equality as transversal themes. UNOPS projects are contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals framework and objectives.

UNOPS implements the European Union Support to Municipal Development – EU PRO Programme since 2018 and has been identified as implementing partner of its successor – the European Union for Local Development – EU PRO + Programme that will contribute to reduction of socio-economic disparities between the two less developed regions and the rest of Serbia. While tackling a range of economic themes, this Programme will provide inputs for design and establishment of the Serbian model for integrated and sustainable territorial development (ISTD), while considering practices and mechanisms existing in the European Union (EU) and, more specifically, criteria for the fulfilment of EU Cohesion Policy Requirements.

The EU PRO + Programme is in its preparatory phase and a portion of the preparatory activities will be conducted under the ongoing EU PRO Programme to prepare for the swift initiation of the successor. The engagement beyond June 2021 is conditional pending signing of project agreement.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Programme, and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Capacity Building Advisor – Integrated and Sustainable Territorial Development (ISTD) will contribute to development and implementation of the integrated territorial development project in Serbia. This engagement of the selected candidate will be twofold: she/he will support development of the Project for Serbia, and will provide expert inputs and contribute to implementation of the ISTD.
The Capacity Building Advisor will undertake the following specific tasks/responsibilities:

Advisory support

• Advise the Project Manager, Head of Office, the Head of Programme, and other senior RSPO/Project personnel regarding the ISTD
• Provide technical inputs for the development of documents related to ISTD, primarily considering EU approaches and territorial instruments
• Accompany relevant UNOPS personnel in meetings related to the ISTD

Analysis and expert inputs

• Conduct or provide expert input for conduct of analysis related to establishment and development of ISTD model in Serbia, including provision of recommendations for the ISTD model
• Provide expert inputs for Serbian legislation related to Cohesion Policy and “products” that contribute to building the institutional framework for future use of EU territorial development instruments
• Lead or contribute to development of regulations related to the introduction and management of the Serbia’s model for the ISTD, while among other considering Chapter 22 of the EU Acquis
• Lead or contribute to the definition of processes and creation of tools that facilitate introduction and management of ISTD mechanisms
• Review available information on capacities of the Regional Development Agencies, Local Self-governments (LSGs), and Local Action Groups (LAGs)

Capacity Building

• Contribute to design and conduct of capacity building needs assessment of Ministry of European Integration (MEI), RDAs, LSGs, LAGs and other beneficiaries related to introduction of the ISTD
• Provide expert inputs for development of capacity programme related to introduction and management of ISTD that will benefit MEI, RDAs, and LAGs
• Strongly contribute to definition of methodological approach for development of ISTD Strategies and provide expert support for the development of these policies
• Develop and deliver training sessions or other learning functions related to ISTD models, while considering examples from the EU countries that are most relevant for the Serbian context
• Provide on the job support to the MEI related to development and introduction of ISTD model
• Strongly support organisation of ISTD related Study Tours

Other

• Design and deliver learning functions to enhance UNOPS RSPO knowledge of the ISTD
• Conduct peer review of documents/products related to ISTD
• Provide inputs to the reports, briefings, and other written materials
• Contribute to the Project communication and visibility activities in developing materials, publications, articles, and news on ISTD
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above

Required Selection Criteria

Education

• Master degree, preferably in development, economics or management studies is required. Bachelor’s degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree

Work Experience

• Minimum seven years of work experience related to integrated and sustainable territorial development is required
• Experience of working in cooperation with the government(s) of EU countries on establishment and/ or management of integrated territorial development is required
• Experience with international organisations is highly desirable

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required

Core Competencies

• Strategic Perspective – Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. (for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

• Integrity & Inclusion – 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.

• Leading Self and Others – 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.

• Partnering – 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).

• Results Orientation – 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.

• Agility – 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 behaviour. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

• Solution Focused – 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.

• Effective Communication – 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: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) Retainer

Contract level: I-ICA 3 (ICS11)

Contract duration: Up to 160 working days in one year period

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.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-of…

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.

For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org