Pool of the Capacity Building Specialists for Territorial Development (three retainer positions)

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.

The UNOPS Republic of Serbia Multi Country Office (RSMCO) is implementing 15 projects in Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Ukraine.

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.

In Ukraine, UNOPS support to the partners in their reform agenda since 2017 spans the rule of law, social protection, demining, emergency response and security. The projects are funded by the EU, UNHCR, the Governments of Japan and Canada.

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

EU PRO Plus Programme background

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 30 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 36 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, the Programme also focuses on four cross cutting aspects: good governance, digitalization 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 (RDA), 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.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, with close guidance of the Senior Officer for the Capacity Building Sector and coordination of the Capacity Building Advisor, the Capacity Building Specialist for Territorial Development will be responsible for provision of technical support to the Programme for the introduction of the National Model for Integrated Sustainable Territorial Development (ISTD) in Serbia. S/he will contribute to enhancing capacities of the national, regional and local level to introduce integrated territorial planning approaches, particularly for the implementation of Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) and Sustainable Urban Development (SUD).
More specifically, the Capacity Building Specialist in Territorial Development will undertake the following activities/ responsibilities:

• Take a strong part in the conduction of analyses, provision of recommendations and provision of technical input related to the establishment of the ISTD model in Serbia
• Provide technical inputs to the various products of the Programme (e.g. comparative analysis, final study, handbooks and guidance material etc.) that are part of development process of the institutional framework for future use of EU territorial development instruments
• Provide technical inputs into the development of the regulatory framework related to the introduction and management of Serbia’s ISTD model, considering Chapter 22 of the EU Acquis
• Take a strong part in the definition of processes and the creation of tools that facilitate the introduction and management of ISTD mechanisms
• Provide technical inputs for the development of the capacity building programme related to introduction and management of ISTD, targeted at MEI, RDAs, and LSGs
• Develop and deliver training sessions and/or other capacity building activities related to ISTD models, while considering examples from EU countries that are most relevant for the Serbian context
• Develop handbooks and guidance material on ISTD
• Devise and support the organisation of a Study Tours programme on ISTD for representatives of LSGs, RDAs and MEI
• Conduct peer review of documents/products of the Programme related to ISTD
• Provide technical inputs to Programme’s reports, briefings, and other written materials
• 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 studies, 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 five years of work experience related to integrated and sustainable territorial development is required

• Experience of working in cooperation with government(s) of EU countries on analysing, evaluating, establishing or managing integrated territorial development policies is required

• Experience in preparing capacity building programmes and delivering training in the area of territorial development is required

• Experience with international organisations is desirable

Language Skills

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of Serbian is an asset

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: IICA Retainer
Contract level: International ICA 2, ICS10
Contract duration: Up to 75 w/days in 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.

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.

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