1829 - Technical Advisor (Infrastructure)

a.         Purpose

To provide expert advice to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

b.         Objective

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

c.         Background Information

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, in his address to the Parliament on 9 August 2016, outlined the 10-points reform plan of the government in the next four years. This plan envisages strengthening institutions, enhancing connectivity with the region, improving business environment and creating appealing investment climate to increase competitiveness of the economy and ensure sustainable growth and better living standard for all citizens. The Government has a plan to make the biggest progress on the Global Competitiveness Index, reaching placement in the 60, thus becoming among the first ranked countries of Southeastern Europe by 2018.

To steer reforms at a fast-track pace, the Office of the Prime Minister has set up a Strategic project implementation Unit as a single information and coordination point supporting the head of Government in reaching evidence-based policy decisions.

Infrastructure has been identified by the Government of the Republic of Serbia as one of the key areas of reform aimed at boosting Serbia’s economic profile in 2015 and 2016. The Republic of Serbia is a growing middle income country in need of a modern, well-maintained network of roads, railways and waterways in order to facilitate growing trade margins and to better connect it with other Western Balkan and EU markets. Furthermore, due to a significant presence of FDI and multi-lateral partnerships in these projects, their success will ensure that Serbia will be able to secure funding for future investments in its infrastructure and maintain good relations with investor countries.

A team of advisors has been engaged to provide expert advisory services in the infrastructure area. The Technical Advisor will monitor the progress of all projects in this area, including acting as supervisor to the individual advisors.

Measurable outputs of the work assignment

Overall responsibilities:  The Technical Advisor is responsible for day-to-day monitoring of activities and providing substantive guidance in the Infrastructure component of the “Management of Citizen-Centric Policy Measures – Office of the Prime Minister” project.

Specific responsibilities will include the following:

• Maintain regular communication with relevant line Ministries, implementation agencies and other involved stakeholders in order to advise the PMO of developments concerning the portfolio of projects and provide recommendations for action;
• Monitor the work of advisors engaged, provide guidance and peer review of monthly reports on individual projects, and approve advisors’ monthly progress reports;
• Monitor progress of all projects in the portfolio, advise on overall coordination, provide analysis of options and risks and develop aggregated reports with recommendations for action;
• Provide substantive advice to the PMO and UNDP on key issues in the project area;
• Develop and manage in coordination with partners the overall implementation strategy for activities in the Infrastructure component;
• Provide inputs for project work plans and project reports (semiannual progress reports and final report) and their presentation to the PMO for review/approval;
• Maintain good cooperation and coordination between national counterparts, project partners and other relevant stakeholders;
• Identify, collect and analyze relevant policy-related information and data;
• Actively participate in and coordinate meetings, training sessions, conferences and public promotion of projects;
• As required, prepare official correspondence for national and international partners;
• Perform other duties as required.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results

• PMO satisfaction with provided services;
• Regular contact with relevant Ministries, other stakeholders and beneficiaries maintained;
• Inputs for monthly reports and annual report developed on time in line with quality standards.

• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Client oriented: establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects;
• Good application of Results-Based Management;
• Good organizational and time management skills;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards;
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Excellent information technology skills, including word processing, database applications, presentation software, and internet;
• Treats all people fairly without prejudice;
• Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Education:

Minimum Master’s degree in transport planning, transport economics, transport engineering, infrastructure planning, civil engineering or related discipline.

Work experience:

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible work experience, with at least 4 years of proven experience in the management of complex infrastructure projects (including extensive communication, coordination and facilitation requirements), either with government’s authorities, contractors, or international development institutions and in a high-level administration, public policy formulation, analysis or strategic and management advisory services in infrastructure;
• Experience with one or more of the following would be a strong asset: (a) project planning; (b) civil works contract management and execution; (c) defining procurement strategy for public works; (e) economic, social, and environmental impact of transport investments; and (f) private sector participation in the provision of infrastructure projects.

Knowledge:

• Sound understanding of Serbia's political, institutional, and socio-economic situation;
• Thorough knowledge of the national institutional and legal framework and public sector policy implementation processes;
• Knowledge of: (a) road and other transport infrastructure asset management and maintenance issues, (b) planning and programming of capital and maintenance work, and (c) policy, institutional and financing aspects of road/transport agencies;
• Understanding of current policies and implementation processes in infrastructure development, including regional and EU dimension of project appraisal and delivery;
• Understanding of EU infrastructure policy will be considered as an advantage.
• Proficiency in the use of MS Office package, especially Excel and Power Point.

Personal qualifications:

• Ability to 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

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