Background

Continuation of the project “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia” builds on the outcomes of the previous project phases (2022–2025). This phase focuses on implementing environmental policies, pilot and scale up projects and developing sustainable mechanism for green financing, particularly in the area of decarbonization and green industry.

UNDP Serbia supports the Government of Serbia in aligning with international conventions and EU regulations on climate change, focusing on adaptation, mitigation, emission reduction, and transitioning to low-emission, climate-resilient development, to implement environmentally friendly strategies to enhance community resilience and lower carbon emissions.

The purpose of this position is to support the implementation and administration of UNDP projects aimed at advancing the green transformation and decarbonization of Serbia's economy and society. The focus will be on managing the EU and SECO components of the “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia” project in a cohesive and integrated manner, working closely with project component managers. Additionally, the role involves coordinating with other related initiatives, as well as other complementary projects running in parallel or building upon the efforts of the “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia.” Together, these projects contribute to Serbia's transition to a low-emission, climate-resilient development pathway aligned with international climate agreements and the European Green Deal.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Project Officer, the Project Coordination Associate will:

Support coordination and implementation of designated project activities:

• Coordinate implementation of selected policy activities/components in the area of environment, climate change, decarbonization and industrial pollution control and maintain communication with relevant stakeholders.
• Conducting secondary research, preparing project documents, policy briefs, concept notes, discussion papers and presentations in areas including but not limited to the environment, climate change, decarbonization and industrial pollution control. 
• Identify and collect policy-related and other relevant information, documents and data, compile and analyze data for further use in project management. 
• Preparation and implementation of Challenge Call for green transition, coordinate acceleration process, maintain communication with accelerator members and coordinate selection of the green investments.
• Provide regular project updates to ensure accurate and timely reporting to UNDP, donor and other key stakeholders
• Prepare Performance Based Payment Agreements with respective responsible parties. 
• Perform the due diligence processes for public and private sector entities as stipulated in the UNDP policy on due diligence and coordinate preparation of HACT micro assessments. 
• Coordinate all responsible parties and support implementation of their projects in line with the UNDP-RP agreements and coordinate preparation of spot checks and audits as needed. 
• Analyze workplans, progress reports received from beneficiaries and contracted parties, prepare analytical findings for devising necessary future steps for ensuring quality project results.
• Support the project in ensuring gender mainstreaming throughout all project activities, work plans, budgets, reports, research and analysis.
• Provide inputs for development of project monitoring and evaluation framework and progress reports.
• Through constant monitoring and coordination, identify implementation bottlenecks, propose solutions accordingly and proactively act towards barrier removal and achievement of pre-identified targets.
• Provide support to strategic fundraising inputs and support the fundraising planning of the project.

Support project administration: 

• Assume overall responsibility for monitoring financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Contribute to the preparation of Project Work Plans and Project reports (e.g. Progress reports, Final reports) and their presentation to the National Project Directors/Project Board for review/approval;
• Support to the preparation of regular updates to the Project Board on project results, implementation issues, emerging risks/problems and propose necessary remedial actions;
• Support project officer in managing overall project implementation, budgeting, planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation as necessary;
• Monitor and manage contracted parties so that due deliverables are made as per the contract and workplan, review and analyze progress reports together with financial reports made by contractees;
• Draft terms of reference for consultants, procurement of goods and services;
• Draft progress reports and annual reports;
• Support in managing project budget and finances;
• Prepare regular project financial reports for internal and external distribution;
• Prepare draft Annual Work Plans and budgets;
• Assist in project procurement processes. Provide inputs for UNDP procurement plan;
• Prepare information for audit of NEX (National Execution) projects;
• Compile data for project management;
• Prepare official correspondence on project issues, as required;
• Establish and maintain filing system, incoming and outgoing correspondence;
• Ensure full compliance of activities with UNDP rules, regulations and policies.
• Maintain the team’s timetable of events and manage calendar booking; 
• Participate in recruitment and evaluation panels;
• Assume responsibilities in line with the Internal Control Framework.

Support the Project Officer in the partnership building, such as:

• Maintain good cooperation&coordination between national counterparts, project’s partners;
• Maintain regular contacts with beneficiaries and stakeholders, and service providers to ensure relevance and quality of projects’ outputs;
• Support activities related to assessing capacities and needs of government organizations and partners, in close collaboration with national counterparts at both central and local level;
• Support the project by taking innovative approaches, researching new ways of implementation and partnership engagement;
• Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing within the project team;

Organize meetings and events, such as:

• Prepare briefs, talking points and relevant materials;
• Participation and organization of meetings, training sessions, conferences and public events;
• Maintain registry with contacts;
• Provide support in communication-related activities (press releases, speeches, talking points, articles , success stories, social media products, outreach materials), in close coordination with the project teams;
• Contribute to preparing and implementing communication activities and campaigns;

Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing and capacity building:

• Participate in training and organize briefings, provide support to other capacity building activities, including to the design and delivery of tools, materials for workshops, or platforms that tap into the collective intelligence of communities and mobilize action.
• Provide support in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally. Keep pulse on emerging best practices nationally, regionally, and internationally that relate to the work of the assigned portfolio.

• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.

  The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Project Coordination Associate will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Officer.

Competencies

Core

• Achieve Results:             
  • LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
• Think Innovatively:        
  • LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
• Learn Continuously:     
  • LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
• Adapt with Agility:          
  • LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
• Act with Determination:             
  • LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
• Engage and Partner:      
  • LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion:               
  • LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Development               

• Knowledge generation 
  • Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. 
  • Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. 
  • Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations.

Business Management 

• Partnership Management          
  • Build and maintain partnerships and networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Data      

• Data Analysis   
  • Ability to extract, analyze and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making.

Administration & Operations    

• Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings)           
  • Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

HR - People strategy and planning.   

• Job design          
  • Ability to design job roles to meet specific organizational objectives.

Finance               

• Financial planning and budgeting           
  • Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP's long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analyzing and reporting.

Procurement    

• Procure-to-Pay 
  • Knowledge of purchase-to-pay cycles, concepts, principles and policies, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education is required.
• University degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Organizational, Social, or Environmental Sciences will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with Secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in project management and/or administration;

Desired Skills:

• Previous experience in the project support in the following areas: environment and climate change, energy, industrial pollution, biodiversity, agriculture, forestry
• Excellent information technology skills, including word processing, database applications, presentation software, and  internet.
• Experience in one or more of the following: procurement, recruitment, finance, logistics, general administration and communication.
• Experience in organizational activities.
• Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
• Experience working in the UN system or other international organizations.
• Experience with UNDP ERP Software.

Required Language:

• Fluency in Serbian and English is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

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