Partnerships Advisor EU Accession and Integration - retainer position

Under the supervision of the RSMCO Director, with the guidance and in close coordination with the Partnerships Specialist (PS) and Head of Programme (HoP) and in collaboration with Project Managers and Team Leaders, the Partnerships Advisor for EU Integration will provide strategic advice for ongoing and future UNOPS operations, contribute to defining the RSMCO approach and actions, and provide guidance in application of knowledge, lessons, best practices and experience for optimising the initiatives related to the requested area of expertise. 
She/he will provide substantial contribution in identification, design, and implementation of the programmes and projects contributing to the EU accession of the aforementioned regions. 

The candidate is expected to possess knowledge in the areas including, but not limited to, the below listed: 

1. EU institutional framework and policies (institutional set-up and decision-making processes of EU institutions, enlargement policies and integration mechanisms, harmonisation requirements)
2. EU accession process & enlargement policy (Strategies and negotiation frameworks, including Copenhagen Criteria and revised Enlargement Methodology)
4. EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and Reform and Growth Facility Instrument
5. Economic integration and EU funding mechanisms ( Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), EU Single market, Cohesion Policy, and Structural Funds)
6. Upgrading capacities of national institutions on the countries’ EU accession paths
7. Creating platforms for engagement and cooperation mechanisms public institutions, businesses, academia and civil society on EU integration matters.
8. Communications and visibility of the EU assistance
9. Inter- and intra-regional networking and cooperation

The incumbent will undertake the following specific tasks/responsibilities: 

• Advise the RSMCO Director, HoP, PS and other senior RSMCO personnel on the EU accession and integration matters and the directions for UNOPS, in particular the most recent issues and future developments in EU main policies and financial frameworks
• Provide guidance for strategic and operational engagement in EU accession and integration of the Western Balkans countries
• Provide regular or ad-hoc analyses of EU enlargement and Western Balkans accession and integration trends, policies and institutional frameworks
• Monitor and provide updates on funding opportunities for projects supporting EU accession and integration in the Western Balkans  
• Facilitate the expansion of the RSMCO network of national and international stakeholders relevant for the countries’ EU accession and integration, including the local EU delegations and Brussels based EU institutions
• Contribute to development/writing of programmes and projects supporting EU accession

The candidate will provide technical support on all the aforementioned areas and aspects through

• narrative inputs to documents including concept notes, project proposals, analyses, presentations and other 
• participation in internal and external meetings, events and other fora relevant for the RSMCO and the Western Balkans countries’ EU accession and integration
• advisory and capacity building through on-the-job advisory or training sessions, in person or online