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 ESI project supports the accelerated delivery of loan initiatives aimed at improving education for social inclusion. Leveraging its focus on capacity development and knowledge management, UNDP will support the building of these advanced capacities. Furthermore, UNDP will provide the Ministry of Education (MOE) with access to its knowledge platforms and rosters of expertise, facilitating the timely delivery of projected results.

To ensure a timely and impactful implementation, and to protect the Republic of Serbia from potential interest and financial charges resulting from implementation delays, a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) will be established.

To successfully contribute to the overall project objectives, an Engineering Coordination Associate will be engaged. This role is essential for ensuring the results-oriented, effective, efficient, and accountable execution of project activities
 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Engineering Coordination Associate has the responsibility to support infrastructure activities related to the design, supervision, and quality assurance. The Engineering Coordination 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 with the aim of achieving the following project results:

1. Provide Technical Support for Project Implementation:
•    Assisting in the production of infrastructure project design documentation such as pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, preliminary design, main design, and revision of design documentation.
•    Facilitation of the needs assessment process with the beneficiary, support in the design of tender documentation, preparation, and execution of tender processes for the procurement of goods and services, procurement guides, and providing 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.
•    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 approval by the Project Manager.
•    Ensuring full compliance of activities with established project management rules, regulations, and policies.

2. Support Coordination and Stakeholder Communication:
•    Liaising with contractors, municipalities, and other partners on project matters.

3. Supervision of Design and Construction Works:
•    Assisting in the supervision of the project design development process, as well as the coordination and supervision of construction works.
•    Support during the on-site monitoring of quality and quantities of works, costs, schedule, safety, and environment issues, in full compliance with the applicable laws, bylaws, regulations, technical standards, and legal requirements in the Republic of Serbia.

4. Support Monitoring, Reporting, and Technical Analysis:
•    Reporting on on-site monitoring.
•    Providing early warning to the Project Manager of potential problems and/or critical issues regarding the infrastructure improvement and execution of the works.
•    Collection, analysis, and presentation of background information for the preparation of project annual work plans and progress reports.
•    Providing inputs for the creation of the project monitoring and evaluation framework.

5. Administrative and Documentation Support:
•    Drafting correspondence on 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 Coordination 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 Education
 

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 provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively;

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 Civil Engineering, or a related field 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 experience in construction-related project management and supervision, in the field of Civil Engineering

Required skills

  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Desired skills

  • Project experience that requires knowledge of national legislation (Law on Planning and Construction).
  • Work experience in/with international organization and/or government institution.
  • Experience using AutoCAD at advanced level.
  • Experience in coordination and/or management of large-scale projects.
  • Experience in preparation of tender documentation, design activities, and/or supervision in accordance with the 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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