1780 - Project Coordinator (Open Data)

Purpose

To coordinate the implementation and administration of the Open Data – Open Opportunities project under the overall guidance of the Portfolio Manager and with advisory support of the Technical Advisor for Digital Governance.

Objective

To support results oriented, effective, efficient and accountable implementation of project activities and achievement of project results.

Background Information

The availability of good data, data management and exchange practices within Government, as well as overall comprehension of evidence-based policy making, have been recognized as crucial challenges for transforming the Serbian state in line with the European administrative space. In 2015, Serbia has taken initial actions to change this picture, among other things through implementing an open data initiative. The Strategy for the Development of e-Government features the introduction of an open data policy, as do several sectoral policy documents.

The Strategy for Development of e-Government, as well as the National Action Plan for the Open Government Partnership (OGP) within the context of public administration reform provide a good general backdrop for open data, while at the same time enough quick wins have emerged that allowed a speedy start with a range of pilots. Since the fall of 2015, UNDP has been working with a number of government agencies to provide the first data sets in the open data format, establish links to user communities, and initiate the development of a stimulating legal framework. An Open Data Working Group has been established, and the central open data portal has recently been released.

UNDP is commencing implementation of the project “Open Data – Open Opportunities”, that will, over the course of two years, support the establishment of the legal and institutional framework for open data, the realization of concrete open data initiatives by public institutions on all levels, and the creation of a vibrant community of open data re-users and advocates.

UNDP Serbia seeks to recruit a Project Coordinator to support and coordinate the implementation and administration of the Open Data – Open Opportunities project.

Overall responsibilities: 

The Project Coordinator is responsible for day-to-day coordination for the Project:

• Manage and grow a diverse network of partners, including high-level decision makers in the national government, local self-governments, public institutions, CSOs, businesses, research/academic institutions, media, and other relevant stakeholders in the project related activities;
• Provide relevant and timely policy advice to national partners based on cutting edge international knowledge, good practices and lessons learnt in open data and related fields;
• Coordinate implementation of a range of activities, including policy advice, technical support, events, facilitation of working groups, and support to the growth of the open data ecosystem;  
• Actively seek out emerging actors and new potential partners on all levels;
• Engage leading national and international experts and institutions to support efficient delivery of results;
• Find innovative solutions to problems and challenges faced during project implementation and effectively apply adaptive management to address those challenges;
• Present project findings and results to key policy-makers and opinion leaders.

Specific responsibilities will include overall project coordination with emphasis on the following:

Efficient project coordination and reporting

• Operational planning and day-to-day coordination of the project implementation in accordance with the project results framework and annual work plan;
• Facilitating and coordinating institutional and legal support offered to the national partner and the Government of Serbia;
• Facilitating and coordinating the support offered to institutions implementing open data, including supervision of a team of consultants, design of public outreach, training and other capacity building activities as well as development of knowledge products; reviewing relevant action plans of institutions participating in project implementation;  
• Elaborating and facilitating required institutional and other agreements with the national partner and specific public institutions launching open data programs on the national and sub-national levels; supporting effective work of the Open Data Working Group;
• Development and operational management of grants, incubation, and challenge programs;
• Designing and organizing relevant and innovative open data-related events, such as workshops, conferences, or community meetups;
• Regular monitoring of project progress and timely identification of risks, proposing solutions to the Project Board; updating the issue and risk status by maintaining the project logs in Atlas;
• Developing project Work Plans and reports (progress reports including mid-term and annual reports and the final report, their presentation to the National Project Director/Project Board for review/approval);
• Drafting terms of reference for consultants and project staff as needed;
• Preparing briefs, talking points and other communication and outreach materials;
• Monitoring project progress to ensure that it is in accordance with the timetable set out in the Project Document and preparation of regular updates and reports to Project Boards on project progress, implementing issues, emerging risks/problems and proposals for necessary remedial actions;
• Monitoring project financial resources, ensuring preparation of budget revisions as necessary and following up with UNDP portfolio associate and finance staff on issues;
• Regularly updating the Atlas Project Management module;
• Potentially managing new project staff;
• Performing other duties, as required.

Providing advisory support to partners and stakeholders

• Following the latest international, regional and national developments in open data, open government and related fields and initiate and establish new partnerships to support project implementation;
• Advising key stakeholders on the opportunities, barriers and specific support needs to effectively implement open data;
• Ensuring full commitment of project partners to successful implementation of the project;
• Supporting the UNDP Technical Advisor for Digital Governance with data and knowledge collected in implementation and advising UNDP staff on mainstreaming open data in project work.

Networking, establishment and maintenance of regular dialogue with relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries, support to resource mobilization

• Maintaining good cooperation and coordination between national counterparts, project partners and other relevant stakeholders;
• Preparing communication materials, talking points, and ensuring donor visibility in all project materials;
• Active participation in and coordination of meetings, training sessions, conferences, meetups and promotion activities;
• Maintaining close cooperation with responsible partners and institutions to support effective implementation of the agreed activities and delivery of outputs in a timely manner;
• Identification of opportunities for project scaling and follow-up; contributing to resource mobilization with written inputs and drafts for further projects;
• Supporting knowledge sharing among project partners and within UNDP.

Performance Indicators for evaluation of results

• Project outputs delivered within the acceptable tolerances of time, cost and quality;
• Dialogue with relevant Ministries, stakeholders and beneficiaries maintained;
• Reports and work plans developed on time in line with quality standards, capturing project activities and achievements;
• Sound management of project finances;
• Contribution to further pipeline development. 

• Good application of Results-Based Management;
• Excellent communication, coordination and facilitation skills;
• Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of work;
• Establishes lasting relationships and substantive dialogue with clients;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling ethical standards.

Education:

Minimum Bachelor’s degree in social sciencies or related field; candidates with degrees related to information technology may be considered as well. Masters degree or equivalent is an asset.

Work experience:

• Minimum 5 years of experience implementing projects in the fields of democratization, open government, e-government, or other related field;
• Experience in team work and coordination of complex projects/processes that included extensive communication, coordination and facilitation requirements;
• Experience in partnership building at international, national, regional and local level;
• Experience working in an international organization will be considered as an asset, as well as experience of engagement within the open data community in Serbia or regionally.

Knowledge:

• Understanding of Serbia's political, institutional and socio-economic situation;
• Expert knowledge of current policies and legislation on open data and open government,; strong understanding of public administration reform processes and familiarity with the e-government policy framework;
• Familiarity with the open data ecosystem in Serbia;
• Familiarity with the EU accession process and Sustainable Development Goals;
• Knowledge in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web based management systems.

Personal qualifications:

• Ability to work in a team, deliver when working under pressure and within changing circumstances;
• Excellent writing/reporting and presentation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and team building 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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