Background

UNDP Serbia implements the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2026–2030, which supports the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The CPD is built around three strategic priorities:

  • Enhancing Resilient Communities and Protecting the Natural Environment; 
  • Building a Knowledge-Based Economy and a Future-Ready Workforce; 
  • Advancing Inclusive and Effective Governance.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Team Leader of the Resilient Development Team, and within the framework of UN to UN Transfer Agreement concluded between UNDRR and UNDP under the programme  “Resilience Building Partnership for Accelerating Resilient Western Balkans Initiative”  the Programme Analyst contributes to the development and implementation of the portfolio covered by the team, within results area 1  of the UNSDCF, with focus on:

  • Integrating disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, and sustainable local development to deliver tangible human development results. The role will contribute to reduced vulnerabilities, stronger community resilience, and greater social equity—directly advancing Serbia’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and EU accession priorities.
  • Supporting disaster-resilient local development and transboundary cooperation for emergency preparedness.
  • Embedding disaster risk reduction (DRR) measures at national and local levels in line with Chapter 27 requirements on environment, including disaster financing, and preparedness planning.
  • Run the initiatives to integrate fragmented data systems and limited integration of scientific information into decision-making enabling reactive responses and avoidable human, economic, and non-economic losses, particularly among vulnerable populations.
  • Facilitating integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and the embedded in development planning, public investment, and budgeting processes, and coordination among national and local institutions. 
  • Supporting local municipalities and communities in translating national DRR policies into effective local action and community preparedness. 
  • Advancing harmonized and coordinated disaster response at regional level for collective resilience to increasingly complex and transboundary risks, aligned with European Union civil protection frameworks. 

As UNDP in Serbia operates in the EU pre-accession context, with the host government undertaking reforms along the EU integration path, the Programme Analyst will support efforts to strengthen accountable institutions and empower citizens to more effectively pursue EU accession processes. This includes advancing preparedness at national and local level and strengthening community preparedness.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist, Resilient Development, the Programme Analyst is responsible for management of UNDP programme within the thematic/sectoral areas assigned. The Programme Analyst analyzes political, social and economic trends; leads formulation, management and evaluation of programme activities within his/her portfolio; and provides policy advice services.

The Programme Analyst supervises and leads the programme staff and coordinates activities of the projects’ staff. The Programme Analyst works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations teams in the CO, programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, technical advisors/experts, external specialists, government officials and partners, donors, and civil society to ensure successful implementation of the UNDP programme.

UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Substantively contribute to formulation and implementation of UNDP programme strategies and policies.

  • Contribute to analysis of the political, social and economic situation in the country; and contribute collaborative inputs to the UN Common Country Assessment and Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNCCA and UNSDCF) as well as to the preparation/revision of the Country Programme Document (CPD), Integrated Work Plan (IWP) and other strategic documents.
  • Contribute to operationalizing UNSDCF/ CPD in collaboration with the main partners and other UN Agencies.
  • Ensure implementation of relevant programme Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure the effectiveness CO business processes. 
  • Analyze and synthesize proposals in assigned programme areas

Ensure effective management of the CO programme within the assigned thematic/sector areas focusing on quality assurance and risk management from formulation to implementation of the country programme.

  • Contribute to design and formulation of CO programme, translate UNDP priorities into local interventions, and oversee programme implementation with the implementing partners within the assigned programme areas. Ensure that design and formulation of programme considers societal digital technology risks and opportunities and other future signals.
  • Oversee planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of the assigned programme areas; and track use of financial resources in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Ensure digital technology solutions in programme implementation are managed towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
  • Ensure effective application of results-based management tools and track achievement of strategic results.
  • Ensure the effective use of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle; and ensure effective monitoring, evaluation and learning on programme impact. 
  • Support trends analysis for future informed and anticipatory programming.
  • Follow up on audit recommendations and ensure the implementation of management responses.
  • Prepare and aggregate reports on activities, outputs and outcomes, including donor and corporate reports.
  • Support to the rollout of new initiatives and programmes including through presentation of the project to PAC; finalize contribution agreements; and determine required revisions.

Ensure creation of strategic partnerships and implementation of the resource mobilization strategy

  • Develop partnerships with the UN Agencies, international financial institutions (IFIs), government institutions, donors, private sector (if applicable to CO), and civil society in assigned programme/ thematic areas.   
  • Identify strategic programme areas of cooperation including for joint programming. 
  • Analyze and research information on donors, prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identify opportunities for initiation of new projects, and substantively contribute to Country office resource mobilization efforts
  • Support development of portfolios and Country office pipeline including through the design of Programme/Project documents, concept notes, proposals, and cross-sectoral coordination in assigned areas to bring resources for projects.

Ensure provision of top-quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.

  • Identify policy-driven issues; and identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learned directly linked to programme country policy goals.
  • Establish/strengthen national and international advocacy networks. Implement relevant, high -impact advocacy with key partners.
  • Provide substantive support in the development of policies and institutions to address country problems and needs in collaboration with the Government and other strategic partners.
  • Provide input so that policy advisory contributes to inclusive societal digital transformation and takes digital technology risks and opportunities or futures signals into account. 
  • Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
  • Organize training for the operations/ projects staff on programme related matters in assigned areas

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

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervises programme and project staff. 

Competencies 

Core competencies:

  • Achieve Results: LEVEL 2:  Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
  • Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2:  Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking 
  • Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2:  Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
  • Adapt with Agility : LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
  • Act with Determination  LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
  • Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2:  Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2:  Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management Competencies:

  • UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management   

  • Results-based Management
    • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results
  • Project Management   
    • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
  • Portfolio Management  
    • Ability to select, prioritize and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity; ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimizing return on investment
  • Monitoring       
    • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
  • Working with Evidence and Data           
    • Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making

Business Direction & Strategy      

  • System Thinking       
    • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

2030 Agenda: People     

  • Gender 
    • Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation

Engagement & Effectiveness          

  • Effectiveness      
    • Project Quality Assurance

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field is required or 
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree 

Experience:

  • Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development portfolios and projects in a related thematic area.
  • Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP

Language requirements:

  • Fluency in the English language is required
  • Fluency in the Serbian language is required 
  • Knowledge of another UN language is desirable

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. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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