Background

UNDP is supporting selected municipalities in Montenegro to prepare and implement priority infrastructure investments that address local development needs and strengthen climate resilience. In the initial phase, the focus is on development and validation of technical documentation, execution and supervision of construction works, and application of relevant technical, safety, and environmental standards.

The initial investments will be implemented in the municipalities of Plužine and Zeta and include construction of a fire station and funeral home in Zeta and a pedestrian sidewalk along and a parking area adjacent to the funeral home in Plužine. Feasibility assessments – main designs for all planned works have been completed, and construction will be carried out under the supervision of an authorized supervision company.

Building on the results of this initial phase, the programme aims to strengthen municipal technical capacities through hands-on implementation and to scale up the model to additional municipalities, supporting preparation and delivery of climate-resilient, inclusive infrastructure investments in line with national and EU standards. The aim is to strengthen the capacity of Montenegrin municipalities to plan, attract, and implement investments in sustainable, inclusive, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient local infrastructure and services, fully aligned with national development priorities, EU standards, and UNDP’s Social and Environmental Standards (SES). Gender equality, social inclusion, and the empowerment of underrepresented groups will be mainstreamed across all project components to ensure equitable benefits for all members of society.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Analyst, Sustainable Local Development and overall supervision of the Team Leader for Inclusive and Green Growth in UNDP Country Office in Montenegro, 
the Project Associate will play a key role in both the technical and operational implementation of project activities. Working under the guidance of the respective Project Analyst, the incumbent will support the day-to-day management and oversight of project tasks, including coordination of monitoring and evaluation inputs, preparation of progress reports, and maintenance of all technical and administrative documentation.

Project Associate will be responsible for the technical execution of activities related to the development of main designs, procurement and implementation of construction and infrastructure works, and on-site supervision. The incumbent will ensure that all engineering deliverables comply with national legislation, technical standards, safety norms, and environmental requirements. Acting as the primary technical focal point, the incumbent will coordinate procurement, oversee contractors, review and validate technical documentation, monitor field implementation, and ensure that works are delivered to the highest quality and within agreed timelines.

The incumbent will provide support to implementation/delivery of all aspects of the project's’ annual work plans with particular emphasis on activities requiring engineering oversight. In performing this general responsibility, the incumbent will:

• Assist respective Project Analyst in managing administrative, technical, programmatic, and budget-related aspects of project implementation to ensure coordinated and timely delivery of activities.
• Develop and implement work plans for project components involving design preparation, infrastructure improvements, and construction works, ensuring alignment with engineering requirements, timelines, and technical standards.
• Provide technical and analytical inputs to project documents and implementation strategies, including data collection, feasibility considerations, engineering constraints, and the integration of safety, climate resilience, and gender-responsive approaches.
• Contribute to the preparation of regular narrative and technical progress reports, incorporating engineering updates, construction milestones, site supervision findings, risks, and mitigation measures.
• Support the collection of sex-disaggregated data and integration of gender-responsive approaches in infrastructure-related activities, ensuring inclusive design principles where relevant.
• Coordinate and exchange technical information with other clusters and project teams, ensuring consistency of engineering approaches, harmonized methodologies, and cross-portfolio synergies.
• Support procurement processes for engineering and construction services, including preparation of technical inputs, review of TORs and specifications, and coordination with the Operations Unit to ensure compliance with procedures.
• Assist in the recruitment and coordination of engineering experts and consultants, facilitating their technical contributions and monitoring delivery of assignments.
• Support the identification, monitoring, and updating of project risks and issues, particularly those related to technical feasibility, construction progress, safety, and environmental compliance, including regular updates in Quantum and other monitoring tools.
• Provide inputs to communication and visibility efforts, ensuring accurate presentation of technical achievements, infrastructure milestones, and engineering innovations to stakeholders and the public.
• Support knowledge-building and knowledge-sharing, including participation in relevant technical trainings and contribution to communities of practice in engineering, construction management, and sustainable infrastructure.

Implement day-to-day Project duties/activities:

• Contribute to the preparation and implementation of project plans and technical documents, including inputs to designs, workplans, procurement files, and progress reports.
• Coordinate and monitor construction-related activities on a day-to-day basis, including regular field visits to assess progress, verify quality of works, and ensure compliance with approved designs, engineering standards, safety norms, and environmental requirements.
• Review and validate technical documentation (designs, drawings, BoQs, specifications, cost estimates) and support the preparation of technical TORs, tender dossiers, and design revisions.
• Maintain close communication with contractors, design firms, municipalities, utilities, and regulatory authorities, ensuring timely exchange of information, resolution of technical issues, and compliance with permitting and regulatory procedures.
• Identify implementation challenges early, inform the respective Project Analyst, and recommend technical adjustments or corrective measures as needed.
• Prepare routine technical and administrative documentation, including site supervision notes, progress updates, minutes of meetings, and correspondence.
• Ensure accurate documentation and filing of all technical and project materials, including design revisions, approvals, test results, and as-built documentation.
• Provide logistical and coordination support for project-related meetings, site inspections, events, and study visits.
• Contribute to stakeholder engagement and project visibility, in cooperation with the Communications Unit, and liaise with national and international partners, including UN agencies.

The incumbent might be requested to perform other duties within the functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
 

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination. 

Cross Functional and Technical competencies:

Business Management

• Communications  
  • Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and chose communication methods depending on the audience.
  • Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
• Customer Satisfaction/Client Management    
  • Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. 
  • Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. 
  • Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Partnership management   
  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
• Risk Management     
  • Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.

2030 Agenda

• People- Gender    
  • Gender and Environment.
• Prosperity-Inclusive Growth 
  • Urban development/inclusive design.
• Prosperity - Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility
  • Resilience: Resilient Infrastructure.
     

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education is required;
• University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Civil Engineering will be given due consideration but is not a requirement. 

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor's Degree) of relevant project coordination working experience is required.

Desired skills:

• Experience in projects involving national construction legislation, technical standards, and permitting procedures.
• Proven experience in preparing and reviewing technical documentation (designs, BoQs, specifications) and supervising construction works.
• Experience in coordinating designers, contractors, supervision engineers, and public authorities.
• Experience with environmental, safety, and sustainability standards applied to infrastructure projects.
• Experience in technical reporting related to construction works.
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), including advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database application.
• Valid license for design and execution of civil works as per Montenegrin legislation. 

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Montenegrin languages is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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