1738 - Investments Advisor

a.         Purpose

To provide advisory services to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Serbian Development Agency (SDA) related to attracting foreign direct investments (FDI) into high technologies, specifically in the automotive, aerospace and Information Technology (IT) sectors.

b.         Objective

To attract and support investments projects in focus regions of Serbia.

c.         Background Information

Improving investment climate plays a central role in growth and poverty reduction. To improve the institutional infrastructure for supporting the development of business environment in Serbia, the Serbian Development Agency (RAS) was established in 2015. Despite the promising progress in attracting more direct investments, Serbian business climate continues to be a disincentive to foreign investments. In addition, the recently established RAS is lacking some critical structures and procedures to effectively attract new investments and manage the existing projects. 

The overall objective of the “Improving the Investment Climate in Serbia” project is to support the effective coordination of all institutions in the Republic of Serbia, relevant for improvement of the investment climate. The core of the activities relates to capacitating of RAS to improve the investment climate in Serbia by focusing support on the four main areas: legislation and regulatory framework, capacity of investment promotion team of RAS, investment project management and marketing and awareness-raising. In the framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the project will contribute to the SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Measurable outputs of the work assignment

Under the guidance of the Technical Advisor – Investment Climate, the Investments Advisor will provide expert advice to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on focus regions in Serbia with low level of investment projects and high unemployment rates, identifying and supporting key stakeholders, defining targets and benchmarks, and identifying any critical issues as they emerge.  During the assignments, the consultant will closely cooperate with the Serbian Development Agency and PMO leadership team and personnel, as well as other relevant stakeholders.

Specific responsibilities include:

1. Analysis of focus areas in Serbia for future investment projects and development of documents that will present these regions as favourable investment destinations for greenfield and brownfield projects

• Analysis of industrial history of selected regions;
• Analysis of employment trends and unemployment structure with the aim of targeting specific investment projects;
• Analysis of operating costs and presenting benchmark rates in relation to surrounding regions and countries in order to demonstrate cost advantages of operating business in specific location;
• Interviews with the local government employees, specifically Local Development offices to assess industrial growth potentials and strategies.

2. Maintain regular communication with relevant line Ministries, implementation agencies and other involved stakeholders in order to advise the PMO of developments concerning individual high-complexity projects and provide recommendations for action;  Develop monthly evidence-based progress reports advising the PMO of key milestones, stakeholder activities, risks and bottlenecks, and recommended courses of action regarding the assigned high-complexity project, which will serve as inputs for aggregated monthly reports to the PMO across all projects in the relevant priority area.

3. Maintain a list of policies and regulations that need to be revised in order to encourage and foster additional investment into Serbia, based on the analysis and reports referred to above.

4.  Prepare regular progress reports on the specific project results, implementation issues, emerging risks/problems and propose necessary remedial actions.

5. Prepare relevant Terms of References (ToR) for the subject area covered by this ToR, monitor implementation of the ToRs.

6. Provide inputs for project work plans and project reports (semi-annual progress reports and final report) and their presentation to the National Project Director (NPD) for review/approval.

7. Perform other duties as required.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results

• Level of end user satisfaction with conduced analyses;
• Regular contact with relevant Ministries, other stakeholders and beneficiaries maintained;
• Inputs for reports, workplans and ToRs developed on time in line with quality standards.

• Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of project work;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills in Serbian and English;
• Evidence of ability to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in teams;
• Ability to summarize and systematize complex information and identify priorities for follow up activities;
• Shares knowledge and experience;
• Focuses on results and responds positively to feedback;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards.

Education:

• Advanced degree (Masters or PhD) in economics.  

Experience:

• Track record of progressively more responsible coordination experience of a minimum of 5 years, preferably split between private sector and public administration, public policy formulation, analysis or management advisory services in investment promotion;
• Developed network of stakeholders, including public institutions, international organizations, and businesses.

Knowledge:

• Sound understanding of the national institutional and legal framework and implementation practice in creating enabling environments for business development;
• Full computer literacy in the use of MS Office package, especially Excel and Power Point.

Personal qualifications:

• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Language:

• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and English.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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