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Project Officer

Pristina

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Pristina
  • Grade: Volunteer - National Specialist - Locally recruited Volunteer
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Poverty Reduction
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

There cannot be inclusive growth without local administrations, entrepreneurs, farmers, and communities deploying their energies and resources in a coordinated way, networked together to overcome specific development challenges in their territory. While development potential exists (particularly in agri-business and related value chains and service provision), there is a need for stronger institutions at municipal level.

Kosovo has experienced some sustained growth over the last few years, but still faces deep-seated structural challenges. Therefore, the primary goal of the UNDP Aid for Trade (AfT) project has been to foster inclusive and sustainable growth in Kosovo due to its positive influence on employment and poverty reduction. AfT supports the Kosovo Investment and Entreprise Support Agency (KIESA) within the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the Ministry itself in strengthening its capacities, promote trade and investment, and implement evidence-based policies. This project focuses on concrete interventions required to improve Kosovo’s long term sustainable industrial development and economic performance.

At the local level the project seeks to raise productivity, employment and entrepreneurship by working with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) focusing on the economic region of southern Kosovo and the Mitrovicë/a region. The private sector suffers from supply- and demand-side constraints. Poor infrastructure, underdeveloped value chains, a lack of market information and human capital, insufficient access to affordable business and financial services, and a business climate that remains unattractive have thwarted the expansion of firms and the creation of jobs in Kosovo.

With regard to this, project objective is to develop a vibrant and export-oriented private sector by enhancing competitiveness, identifying growth potentials and investment opportunities. This has been promoted through provision of trainings to local businesses in relation to advisory services; access to market information; on understanding market demands; product quality standards; facilitation of  business-to-business contacts through the organization of events for products/services for which trade corridors provide opportunities; provision of information on climate change and environment financing opportunities

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Programme Coordinator and in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Programme Team, the national UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

  • Draft Terms of References for implementation of project’s activities;
  • Conduct research on relevant topics related to the subjects covered within project scope of work;
  • Draft and review various reports and other written outputs related to project activities;
  • Assist consultants in successful implementation of the foreseen activities when necessary;
  • Maintain contact with project’s contractors (consultants and companies) and monitor their progress and results of their assignments in line with the UNDP standards and policies and stakeholders’ objectives;
  • Establish and maintain regular contacts and advance partnerships with key KIESA & MTI officials, especially with focal points;
  • Conduct site visits to Economic Region South and the Mitrovicë/a Region to monitor and evaluate the progress and quality of the project activities and results when necessary;
  • Assist in identifying and maintaining relations with the relevant stakeholders and other projects at the central, local and community level in Kosovo to ensure coordination and collaboration, prevent overlapping of activities, and to identify possibilities for organizing joint activities;
  • Assist local partners in implementing activities and preparing reports as applicable;
  • Supporting advocacy and public awareness activities organized within the project;
  • Perform any other duties within the scope of work assigned by the Programme Coordinator.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

  • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark IVD);
  • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
  • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
  • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
  • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
  • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Output:

  • Delivery of expected project results, consistent with project timeline and assigned resources and objectives supported;
  • Direct support to Sustainable Development Programme Team with respect to implementation of activities provided;
  • Possibilities for partnerships and joint activities identified and collaboration between and among relevant central and local level stakeholders and UNDP Kosovo promoted;
  • Progress and quality of the project activities in the field monitored and evaluated effectively, and captured in written form along with relevant data;
  • Lessons learnt, best practices and success stories based on implementation of the project identified and shared with UNDP programme and communications staff;
  • Preparation and revision of reports, and other relevant documents provided;
  • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of activities participated in and capacities developed.

Competencies

  • Communication and inter-personal skills:
    • Communicates effectively with different kinds of people regardless of their ethnic or cultural background, and is outgoing and comfortable in handling external relations at all levels;
    • Excellent interpersonal and liaison skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
    • Demonstrates sensitivity, tact and diplomacy;
    • Is culturally sensitive and demonstrates appreciation and understanding for different cultures and practices.
  • Professional capacity:
  • Excellent practical analytical skills;
  • Able to exercise sound judgment;
  • Propose new ideas and approaches and recommends solution options;
  • Adapt at working in a highly pressured professional environment and ready to take on a wide range of tasks;
  • Works well in a team and projects a positive image;
  • Self-motivated and able to recommend innovative options for resolution of issues;
  • Able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.

Required Skills and Experience

  • Bachelor Degree in Economics, Business Administration or other relevant field;
  • Minimum of 3 years experience in working with different stakeholders (government bodies) including private sector and civil society organizations in the field of economic development, project implementation, or progress monitoring and evaluation;
  • Good knowledge of Kosovo’s socio-economic issues and challenges;
  • Previous experience as a volunteer at local, national or international levels is a distinct advantage.

Computer skills:

  • Excellent knowledge in working with Microsoft Office applications and in conducting online research.

Language skills:

  • Fluency in the English and Albanian languages (written and spoken). Knowledge of Serbian language will be considered an asset.

Disclaimer

Living Conditions:

UNDP Kosovo Office is located in Pristina, national UN volunteer should be able to commute to respective office by own (no cost coverage for transportations).

Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers

A 6 month contract; with possibility of extension subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

Travel to duty station (if applicable) and a Settling-In-Grant will be provided in the event duty station is not within commuting distance from the place of recruitment. A Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) of 569 EUR is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents), as well as final repatriation (if applicable) and resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme which welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture.

*All References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of UN Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)

This vacancy is now closed.
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