Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The project “Advanced Capacity for Accelerated Delivery Initiative” (ACADI) is implemented with the purpose to increase Ministry`s capacity to implement projects funded by loans thus ensuring timely and impactful implementation.  Up to now, ACADI project has been provided with specialised expertise in the areas of project management, public procurement, finance, law, technical sciences, and administration to implement loans and blend loans with budgetary funds. The Project ACADI has eight Outputs linked to different type of activities and this assignment will be linked to the following:

Water and wastewater activities:

  • Support improvement of water supply in selected municipalities especially in the context of less available water sources due to climate change and overall pollution.
  • Construction works related to wastewater and sewage systems.

In order to implement ACADI project-Output 8, it is necessary to establish Project Implementation Unit (PIU) that will provide necessary expertise to perform tasks and duties mainly related to the preparation and implementation of investment programmes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Engineering Associate has the responsibility to support infrastructure activities related to the design, supervision, and quality assurance. The Engineering Associate should provide technical expertise and support assuring that the projects produce the results specified in the Project Documents for the infrastructure components, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Specific responsibilities will include assistance in the implementation of activities as following:

1.    Provide Technical Support for Project Implementation:

•    Provide support in the preparation and implementation of Commercial Contract and Relevant Annexes activities, including technical support for monitoring (re)construction works.
•    Provide support in the design of tender documentation, preparation and execution of tender processes for procurement of goods and services, procurement guides, and provide inputs for contracts for goods and services.
•    Support to project management of works with adherent installations aimed at energy efficiency improvements, and related environmental management issues
•    Coordination of design documentation with other engineering disciplines, review of drawings and technical documentation, and support in preparing quantities and cost estimates.
•    Suggesting and advising on how to resolve problems and/or conflicts and recommending corrections in terms of design, materials or the quality of work, and managing these corrections upon the approval of the Project Manager.
•    Ensuring full compliance of all design and supervision activities with established engineering standards, project management rules, regulations, and policies.

2.    Support Coordination and Stakeholder Communication:

•    Provide technical support in contacting, coordinating, and communicating with relevant people in municipalities involved in reconstruction projects.
•    Liaise between the project team, the Ministry, and UNDP.
•    Enable smooth coordination between Ministry representatives, including representatives from relevant Public Utility Companies, secretariats, and municipal representatives to ensure results-oriented, effective, efficient, and accountable implementation of project activities.
•    Liaise with contractors, municipalities, public utilities, and other stakeholders on project matters and ensure technical consistency across disciplines.

3.    Supervision of Design and Construction Works:

•    Supervision and coordination of design development processes.
•    Participation in the supervision of construction works in accordance with approved designs and technical regulations.
•    Support during on-site monitoring of quality and quantities of works, costs, schedule, safety, and environmental issues, in full compliance with applicable laws, bylaws, regulations, technical standards, and legal requirements in the Republic of Serbia.

4.    Support Monitoring, Reporting, and Technical Analysis:

•    Preparation of project-related reports, including progress updates, field visit records, and monitoring documentation.
•    Collection, analysis, and presentation of technical background information for preparation of project reports and design deliverables.
•    Providing technical inputs for project monitoring and evaluation processes.

5.    Support Administrative and Documentation Support:

•    Drafting correspondence, reports, and documentation related to project engineering issues for the Project Manager, as required.

6.    Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing

•    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

Engineering Associate will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager and in cooperation with the National Project Director (NDP) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

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 

Thematic Area Name Definition
Business Direction and Strategy Effective Decision Making

Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in

line with one's authority, area of expertise and

resources and take into consideration potential

wider implications.
Business Management Monitoring & Evaluation

Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.

Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.

Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Digital   Tech literacy Ability to apply new digital tools or adapting their original use to create new insights, fresh perspectives or develop solutions. Understand the potential as well as the limitations of certain technological developments; being able to identify how technology can add value when it's used as a ""means to an end"".
Digital   Systems thinking & transformation

Understand that complex problems need a non-reductionistic, holistic approach. Ability to explore challenges from multiple 

perspectives by zooming in and out, with a focus on relationships and flows rather than individual elements; understand how certain dynamics and conditions are driving and influencing an issue. 

Ability to develop a collective understanding by a mapping systems and their dynamics (e.g. flows or resources, information; power relations); is able to handle ambiguity and can help others navigate it.

Being able to identify intervention points to leverage change and system transformation by setting out a coherent collection of multiple interventions to probe the system for desirable effects. 

Understand that change is non-linear and unpredictable; being comfortable and able to work with emergence.
2030 Agenda: People Gender Communication and Advocacy for Gender Equality

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Secondary education is required.
  • University degree (bachelor’s degree) in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Technology Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Water Supply and Sewerage Engineering, Architecture or a related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement

Experience

Minimum 6 years (with Secondary Education) or 3 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience in construction-related project management and supervision in the fields of:

  • Construction Engineering – including structural designs engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Civil Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Water Supply and Sewerage Engineering
  • Low Rise Civil Engineering works – including traffic infrastructure works


Desired skills

  • Experience in coordination and/or management of large-scale projects.
  • Experience in preparation and revision of design documentation in accordance with the Law on Planning and Construction and related technical regulations of the Republic of Serbia.
  • Work experience in/with international organization and/or government institution.
  • International working experience with WWTP would be considered an asset (design and supervision).
  • Experience using computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint), as well as professional engineering tools such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D.
  • Experience using of AutoCAD and Civil 3D at advanced level.
  • Proven track record of experience with national legislation, technical standards, and permitting procedures in the field of engineering.
  • Experience in building strong relationships with clients and external actors. 
  • Experience with Law on Planning and Construction requirements


Languages:

  • Fluency in English and Serbian is required

Important Information

The online application form must be fully completed. Applicants are required to carefully complete their online application form and reflect all of their work experience history in the application.

Only attaching a CV is not sufficient for applicants to be considered for positions. All applicants have to complete the Experience, Education, Language, and Nationality & Permanent Residence fields fully.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

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

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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