Regional Public Finance and Governance Specialist

UNDP operates in over 170 countries and territories, working to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We support countries in developing strong policies, skills, partnerships, and institutions to help sustain their progress.

The UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (RBEC) operates through its Istanbul Regional Hub and works in close collaboration with 18 Country Offices across Europe and Central Asia.

In September 2025, UNDP IRH initiated the implementation of the initiative Smart Finance for Accountable Local Governance implemented in North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, and Moldova. The UN Volunteer assignment is part of this initiative, which aims to enhance public finance management and SDG-focused auditing across the Western Balkans and Moldova. By addressing key weaknesses in financial management, improving auditing practices, and tackling corruption prevention at the local level, the project seeks to strengthen governance systems. It will facilitate regional exchanges for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and the adoption of innovative tools and best practices that foster transparency, accountability, and the alignment of public finance with EU standards.

The project includes:
- SDG Auditing
Strengthening capacities for auditing SDG implementation at the local level, with a focus on building auditing frameworks that align with international standards. This will include developing tools for conducting SDG audits at municipal levels, piloting SDG audits, and promoting collaborative knowledge-sharing between auditing institutions in the region.
- Corruption Prevention
Addressing the impact of corruption on governance by promoting transparency and integrity in local public procurement and financial management. Activities will focus on proactive corruption risk management, building the capacities of anti-corruption institutions, and fostering regional collaboration through knowledge exchange and the development of practical guidelines on anti-corruption practices.
- Innovative Transparency Measures
Enhancing internal controls and auditing systems within local governments by introducing innovative approaches to improve transparency and accountability. This will involve building local capacities for internal audits, exploring AI-based solutions for financial monitoring, and piloting innovative citizen engagement tools for public finance monitoring at the local level.

Key Stakeholders include: UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH), UNDP North Macedonia, UNDP Montenegro, UNDP Serbia, UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP Albania, and UNDP Moldova, Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) from each jurisdiction, local governments, public procurement institutions, anti-corruption institutions, and civil society.

Under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Provide technical guidance on public finance management, local financing, financial controls, and SDG auditing, ensuring alignment with regional objectives and EU standards.
• Contribute to capacity-building activities for Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs), anti-corruption bodies, procurement agencies, and local governments, identifying institutional gaps and recommending targeted regional and country-level interventions.
• Assist in the co-creation and strategic alignment of the project’s annual work plan, ensuring coherence and complementarity across participating countries and stakeholders.
• Draft and review project documentation, including Terms of Reference (TORs), technical briefs, presentations, and summary reports to support strategic decision-making, donor communications, and project implementation.
• Facilitate coordination and engagement with key stakeholders, mainly participating UNDP Country Offices.
• Support overall project oversight, quality assurance, and adherence to corporate standards, ensuring effective project delivery and monitoring.
• Build synergies with other ongoing projects under the Regional Public Finance for Development Initiative and Governance Projects, leveraging lessons learned and maximizing impact across related efforts.
• Perform other duties as required to ensure smooth implementation and regional coordination.