2092 Junior Advisor - Education

Belgrade

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Belgrade
Grade: Administrative support - SB-2 (SC3/SC4), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Democratic Governance
- Education, Learning and Training
- Governance and Peacebuilding
Closing Date: Closed

Background

Purpose

To advise the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development (MoESTD) on several projects belonging to the Education priority area.

Objective

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

Background Information

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, in her address to Parliament, outlined her reform plan of the government. 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.

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 through the previous project “Management of Citizen-Centric Policy Measures – Office of the Prime Minister”. This project has its continuation through new Development Services Agreement between the Government of Serbia and UNDP. The agreement provides a framework for services requested by the Government, for ongoing initiatives of the Government, for which it bears full accountability. Most development services envisaged under the Agreement relate to support to policy making through research, advocacy or policy alternatives, aimed at fulfilling priorities as articulated in the Government plans, presented before Parliament, and in line with progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The overall objective of the Unit, as an entity established by the Government, is to enable the Government to drive forward a set of citizen-centric policy measures and interventions, which will make a substantial difference to the quality of life experienced by Serbia’s citizens, thus directly contributing to the implementation of specific SDGs. The purpose of this project is to provide advisory services tasked with supporting the Cabinet in delivering better results faster in top priority areas, following the expose of the Prime Minister. The advisory services will accelerate the delivery of citizen-centric policy measures and interventions, integrating and coordinating different Government departments around the identified projects/issues. Ownership over those priorities will be left with the respective ministries/agencies, while embedding a systematic and evidence-based approach to project implementation and execution. The priority areas under which such services will be provided include infrastructure, education, agriculture, public administration reform, IT & entrepreneurship and creative industries.

Education system is recognized by the Government as crucial for development of human capital of Serbia, providing skilled work force that attracts investors and stimulating innovation that drives competitiveness and long-term sustainable growth of Serbia’s economy. With this in mind, the Prime Minister’s Office has identified key priority areas to drive education reform of and ensure sustainable economic and social development of the citizens of Serbia. A team of advisors has been engaged to provide expert advisory services in the education area. The Junior Advisor shall form part of the team covering issues related to development of the education sector in Serbia.

Duties and Responsibilities

Measurable outputs of the work assignment:

Overall responsibilities: Under the guidance of Technical Advisor, the Junior Advisor shall:

Actively participate in the realization of initiatives set by the PMO and Team for Education.
Collect information and report on the progress of the select priority projects in the field of education identified by the PMO.
Track progress and identify key bottlenecks and take action to fast-track implementation of the key projects related to reform of education system.
Act as a key liaison on specific topics between the PMO and the line Ministries, implementation agencies and other involved stakeholders. This includes maintaining good cooperation and coordination between national counterparts, project partners and other stakeholders, and maintain regular contacts with beneficiaries to ensure relevance and quality of projects’ outputs;
Prepare regular progress reports on the specific project results, implementation issues, emerging risks/problems and propose necessary remedial actions;
Analyze different policy options, international policies and courses of action in regard to the specific projects, evaluate risks tied to each opetion and develop aggregated reports with recommendations for action;
Provide inputs for project work plans and project reports and their presentation to the PMO for review/approval;
Identify, collect and analyze relevant policy-related information and data to support evidence-based policy making at the PMO.
As required, prepare official correspondence for national and international partners.
Perform other duties as required.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results.

PMO and Technical Advisor for Education overall satisfaction with provided services;
Reports provided on time, in line with the quality standards and specific tasks assigned;
Proactivity and taking ownership/initiative related to the assigned project or task;
Demonstrates team work abilities, shares information and knowledge;
Excellent communication skills – interpersonal communication, written and verbal skills.

Competencies

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree (MA preferred) in social sciences, economics, organizational science or other relevant field.

Work experience:

Track record of a minimum of two (2) years working in project implementation or coordination;
Work experience in the public sector would be an advantage;
Work experience in the field of education would be an advantage;
Proven ability to deliver high quality output in implementation of projects;
Track record of preparing high quality reports/documents.

Knowledge:

Sound understanding of Serbia's political, institutional, and socio-economic situation;
Good understanding of the implemented government policies in respective area;
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.
Readiness to share and exchange knowledge with the rest of the team.

Language:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and English.

Disclaimer

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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