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2163 Infrastructure Economist

Belgrade

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Belgrade
  • Grade: Consultancy - SB-3 (SC6/SC7), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Economics
    • Democratic Governance
    • Infrastructure and Urban-Rural development
    • Governance and Peacebuilding
    • CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

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 an Integration 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.
 
Infrastructure has been identified by the Government of the Republic of Serbia as one of the key areas of reform aimed at boosting Serbia’s economic profile. The Republic of Serbia is a growing middle-income country in need of a modern, well-maintained network of roads, railways and waterways in order to facilitate growing trade margins and to better connect it with other Western Balkan and EU markets. Furthermore, due to a significant presence of FDI and multi-lateral partnerships in these projects, their success will ensure that Serbia will be able to secure funding for future investments in its infrastructure and maintain good relations with investor countries. 
 
A team of advisors has been engaged to provide expert advisory services in the infrastructure area. The Infrastructure Economist shall form part of the team covering issues related to development of the railway sector in Serbia. 
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Measurable outputs of the work assignment
 
Overall responsibilities:  Under the guidance of the Technical Advisor, the Infrastructure Economist shall:
  • Conceptualize and coordinate specific initiatives, as identified by the Technical Advisor;
  • Monitor and actively participate in implementation of the connectivity agenda measures under the Berlin process;
  • The Infrastructure Economist will in particular:
  • Support the implementation of border crossing projects and regional transport facilitation measures; 
  • Promote the development of multimodal transport solutions, rail and inland waterway transport as green lines;
  • Support the development of the railway sector – work directly with all three Railway companies, with Railway Infrastructure on the development of national network by following up implementation of all ongoing and planned capital infrastructure projects; work with National and other Cargo operators in order to make cargo transport more attractive and competitive; 
  • Support the development of the road network – coordinate directly with Corridors and PE Roads of Serbia all ongoing and planned capital infrastructure projects. Support and promote implementation of green corridors along the Republic of Serbia;
  • Promote the implementation of road safety measures as well as safety in railway; 
  • Support harmonization of the legislation towards EU accession, chapter 14 and 21;
  • Work with the Transport Community Secretariat on enhancing regional connectivity;
  • Actively evaluate EU funds such as the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), IPA, Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), in order to maximise benefits to the Republic of Serbia through increased grant financing for project preparation and works; propose the course of action towards improving the absorption of EU funds and grants;
  • Brief the PMO on all above stated;
  • Depending on the team needs, provide support with projects and activities under the Belt and Road Initiative. This may potentially include modelling business proposals and planning of industrial parks and logistic centers, planning and development of strategic links and enhancement of the existing port facilities, with the aim to strengthen the development of economic corridors in the Republic of Serbia;
  • Depending on the GDP Council decisions, provide support with projects and activities defined as priority for the Government. This may potentially include work on the projects related to tourism, trade, environment, agriculture and others as may be requested by the PMO and Technical Advisor;
  • Perform any other duty as requested by the Technical Advisor.
Performance indicators for evaluation of results
  • Technical Advisor’s satisfaction with provided services; 
  • Reports provided on time, in line with the quality standards and specific tasks assigned;
  • Coordination of efficient, cost effective and timely implementation of the Project activities provided;
  • 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:
  • BA in the field of economics from an accredited university.
Work experience:
  • Track record of a minimum of five (5) years of working in the transport sector is required; 
  • Work experience with government and/or international organizations would be an advantage;
  • Strong experience and understanding of impact of investments; deep-in involvement in investments and initiatives under the Berlin process;
  • Proven ability to deliver high quality output in implementation of transport connectivity reforms;
  • Track record of preparing high quality transport related reports/documents;
  • Strong network of national stakeholders, including public institutions, international organizations and businesses.
Knowledge:
  • Good understanding of national and international institutions and their work; understanding of the national legal framework and international initiatives relevant to the sector;
  • Solid understanding of procedures related to European Union Funds such as Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) and Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF); 
  • Familiarity with transport network characteristics and initiatives beyond the Republic of Serbia – in the Western Balkans region;
  • Knowledge of to-date achievements under the connectivity agenda is highly desirable;
  • Knowledge of project cycle, from initiation to infrastructure delivery, including technical documentation and permitting requirements under the Serbian Planning and Construction Act ;
  • Good understanding of EU transport policy;
  • Full computer literacy in the use of MS Office package.
Personal qualifications:
  • Ability to deliver when working under pressure and within changing circumstances;
  • Strong research, analytical and quantitative skills;
  • 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.

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This vacancy is now closed.
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