Lead Quality Engineer - Conformity of Products (retainer position)

Nordic Support for Progress of North Macedonia

A) The Government of Norway has decided to fund a sub-regional programme “Nordic Support for Progress in North Macedonia” to be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The project consists of a socio-economic development support to the more undeveloped parts of the country and also envisages support to the Macedonian authorities responsible for leading the renewed efforts on the EU accession process. 

The Government of Norway has allocated funding for the implementation of the Project in Macedonia during 24 months.

The Overall Objective is to contribute to a more balanced socio-economic development and contribute to the implementation of the Stabilization and Association Agreement and EU accession negotiations priorities. 

Specifically, the programme has objectives at the local and national levels i.e. locally, to increase employment opportunities, support social cohesion as well as to enhance local infrastructure in the less developed areas with a focus given to the inclusion of youth, women and vulnerable groups in the labour market. Nationally, the programme aims at supporting the government to improve its capacity for EU integration and government reform agenda in the accession process

All Project activities will be undertaken in partnership and cooperation with national and local institutions, with the aim of allowing them to adopt/adapt the legal requirements and, where relevant, EU accession criteria. This will ensure national ownership and support the development of national capacities.

B) The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency has decided to fund a project “Support to progress in North Macedonia - Government reform agenda in the EU-accession process” to be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The objective of the project supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) is to support the enhancement of the EU integration capacity of the Republic of North Macedonia by providing technical assistance to government institutions during the accession period. 

SIDA has allocated funding for the implementation of the project in Macedonia during 24 months.

The Overall Objective of the SIDA support is to contribute to, and effectively communicate to the public, the implementation of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, accession negotiations and government reform priorities in the Republic of North Macedonia. 

Project interventions are aimed towards communicating the benefits of the EU accession process to the general population, as well as to involve the civil society and media throughout the accession phases. All project activities will be undertaken in partnership with the Government of Macedonia, in cooperation with the national institutions, with the aim of allowing them to adopt/adapt the legal requirements and, where relevant, EU accession criteria. 

This will ensure national ownership and support the development of national capacities.

Background Information – relevant for the assignment

The purpose of Result 1 “Supporting the government reform agenda in the accession process” is to provide support to relevant national institutions in charge of alignment of national legal acts with the EU acquis and to contribute to further capacity building of central coordination structures and relevant national structures for successful carrying out of the screening process (explanatory and bilateral screening). The overall process is coordinated by the Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA), as main coordination body in the accession negotiation process.

The National Programme for Adoption of the Acquis (NPAA), as key strategic and planning document in the accession negotiation process is planned, monitored and updated on regular basis. The NPAA is prepared and monitored by 33 working groups, established for each chapter of the acquis.

NPAA includes a comprehensive analysis of the EU Acquis, listing short- and medium-term priorities in planning reforms, policies and strategies, plan and schedule for harmonization of national legislation with the Acquis, administrative structures for implementation of legislation in terms of capacity building, establishment new/or restructuring existing, human resource development and training needs, as well as financial resources. NPAA is revised every year, taking into account the European Commission Country Reports and possible updates of the EU acquis. It is the basis for the preparation of the administration for the screening process and preparation of negotiation positions in the negotiation process.

The Ministry of Economy (ME) is the responsible institution for Chapter 01 Free movement of goods, in the Republic of North Macedonia. The EC country report from May 2019 has clearly indicated that there is need for further advancement in this area. ME prepared two draft laws: draft Law on Technical Requirements and Assessment of Conformity of Products and Draft Law on General Safety of Products. These laws introduce a legal basis for adoption of new rulebooks in accordance with the EU New Approach Directives in seven industrial sectors (pressure equipment, transportable pressure equipment, low voltage equipment, electromagnetic compatibility, simple pressure vessels, elevators, ATEX, explosives for civilian use, radio telecommunication equipment, recreational crafts, and a part of construction products).

The Draft Law on Technical Requirements and Assessment of Conformity of Products is currently in inter-ministerial consultations. ME, after completing inter-ministerial consultations, will prepare the whole package, and send it to EC services for consultation and comments. According to the revised NPAA (2020-2025) the Law is planned to be adopted in Q4 2020.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Lead Quality Engineer will provide technical support to Ministry of Economy (ME), and will review and revise the text of the draft Law on Technical Requirements and Assessment of Conformity of Products (the Law), on the basis of comments and suggestions from  inter-ministerial consultations and EC services, adjust the Tables of Concordance (ToC), and review and improve 11 draft bylaws.

All relevant documents for this assignment will be provided by the project in cooperation with the Secretariat for European Affairs (SEA) and Ministry of Economy (ME).  ME will serve as focal point, and will designate contact person/coordinator to facilitate the work of selected specialist.

More specifically, the Lead Quality Engineer will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

• Review and revise the text of the draft Law on Technical Requirements and Assessment of Conformity of Products (the Law), on the basis of comments and suggestions from  inter-ministerial consultations and EC services
• Participate in workshops and public hearings organized by ME on the text of the Law, finalizing the draft Law, and updating respective ToCs
• Review and improve 11 related bylaws and respective Tables of Concordance(ToC):

1. Draft Rulebook on equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres -  Directive 2014/34/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX)
2. Draft Rulebook on equipment for simple pressure vessels - Directive 2014/29/EU on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of simple pressure vessels
3. Draft Rulebook on transportable pressure equipment - Directive 2010/35/EU on transportable pressure equipment
4. Draft Rulebook on electromagnetic compatibility - Directive 2014/30/EU relating to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
5. Draft Rulebook on equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (LVD) -  Directive 2014/35/EU relating to the making available on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (LVD)
6. Draft Rulebook on lifts and safety components for lifts - Directive 2014/33/EU relating to lifts and safety components for lifts
7. Draft Rulebook on pressure equipment - Directive 2014/68/ relating to the making available on the market of pressure equipment
8. Draft Rulebook on appliances burning gaseous fuels (GAD) - Directive 2009/142/EC relating to appliances burning gaseous fuels (GAD)
9. Draft Rulebook on recreational craft and personal water craft - Directive 2013/53/EU on recreational craft and personal water craft
10. Draft Rulebook on radio equipment - Directive 2014/53/EU relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment
11. Draft Rulebook on explosives for civil uses - Directive 2014/28/EU relating to the making available on the market and supervision of explosives for civil uses.

• Advanced University Degree preferably in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or other relevant discipline is required. 
• University Degree (Bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

• Five years with master’s degree or seven years with bachelor’s degree of experience in market surveillance, and/or conformity assessment  activities is required
• Experience in standardisation and/or CE marking of products is required
• Knowledge of Macedonian legal drafting rules would be an asset
• Knowledge of government and administrative structures in North Macedonia for implementation of the acquis, EU integration processes and key strategic documents related to the EU integration would be an asset

• Fluency in English and Macedonian (speaking, reading and writing) is required

This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of Republic of North Macedonia and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.
Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) - retainer
Contract level: Local ICA 10
Contract duration: Up to 100 working days in six month period

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been active in Serbia since 2000, and the operations of UNOPS Serbia Project Office (RSPO) have since 2017 expanded to North Macedonia and Montenegro.

UNOPS has been a reliable partner primarily of the Government of Serbia, and later of the Governments of North Macedonia and Montenegro, in providing support for demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union.

Currently, the RSPO is implementing 12 projects focussed on sustainable socio-economic development, social cohesion, creating environment for employability, business and infrastructure growth, increased security, improved education, enhanced social inclusion either via enabling durable housing solutions or providing access to health, education and jobs for the most vulnerable population. All projects have good governance and gender equality as transversal themes. UNOPS projects are contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals framework and objectives.