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2225 Senior Energy and Environmental Engineer

Belgrade

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Belgrade
  • Grade: Consultancy - SB-4 (SC8/SC9), Service Contract, Local Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Engineering
    • Environment
    • Renewable Energy sector
    • Capacity Development
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

Purpose

To provide expert advice to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on further development of sustainable energy infrastructure in Serbia, support the Green Agenda and environmental sustainability actions, and assist with specific projects in the mining industry (particularly with mining environmental component) as well as with environmental infrastructure, in order to boost growth and competitiveness of respective sectors in the Republic of Serbia.

Objective

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

Background Information

To steer reforms and implement priority infrastructure investment projects 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 Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia presented in the Parliament the economic plan of the Government, as articulated in her Expose. Implementation of this plan is expected to strengthen institutions, enhance connectivity with the region, improve business environment and create attractive investment climate to increase competitiveness of the economy, ensure sustainable growth and better living standard for all citizens.

Targets set out in the Government’s economic plan (Expose) are, more specifically, to be achieved through implementation of concrete measures given in “Serbia 2025” Programme, which was presented by the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic of Serbia in December 2019. This Programme represents a unique vision of Serbia’s economic development, which is to be attained through execution and delivery of major infrastructure investments in the 2020 – 2025 period. Main pillars of “Serbia 2025” Programme are regional integration, deepening of financial markets, education reform, empowering public enterprises and shift to sustainable economy – all of these contributing to accelerating economic growth and significant improvement in the living standards.

Energy and Environmental infrastructure sectors have been identified as key sectors that contribute to boosting Serbia’s economic profile, competitiveness and standard of living. Environmental protection is one of the highest priorities of the Government, especially in the fields of air quality improvement, water supply, wastewater treatment and waste management systems. The Republic of Serbia is a growing middle income country in need of modern sustainable energy production facilities, well-maintained and enhanced energy infrastructure networks – especially in the sectors of electricity and natural gas, and additional capacities of clean technologies in order to facilitate long-term economic growth, strengthen environmental protection standards and to better connect it with other Western Balkan and EU markets. The Government has been working on developing projects of long-term strategic importance, such as the Jadar lithium-boron mining project, which, for example, is expected to assist the country with accomplishing a whole set of economic targets, thus putting it on a leading regional position in the sphere of low-carbon technologies. Due to significant presence of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), multi-lateral and bilateral partnerships in these projects, their success will ensure that Serbia will be able to secure funding for future infrastructure investments and maintain good relations with investor countries

A team of advisors has been engaged to provide expert advisory services in the infrastructure area. The Senior Energy and Environment Engineer shall form part of the Team for Infrastructure, covering projects and initiatives in energy and environment sectors.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Measurable outputs of the work assignment:

Overall responsibilities: 

Under the guidance of the Technical Advisor-Infrastructure, the Senior Energy and Environment Engineer shall:

Management of designated projects/components and provision of advise regarding the energy and environment sector:

  • Conceptualize and coordinate preparation and implementation of selected projects in sectors of energy and environmental protection, identified as a priority by the PMO.
  • Brief the PMO on the performance of the energy and environment sectors.
  • Depending on the GDP Growth Council decisions, provide support with projects and activities defined as priority for the government.
  • Through constant monitoring and stakeholder coordination, identify implementation bottlenecks on specific initiatives and/or projects, propose solutions accordingly and proactively act towards barrier removal and achievement of pre-identified targets.
  • Monitor projects and promote implementation of environmental protection measures, particularly within ongoing mining project(s).
  • Promote implementation of the Green Agenda with particular focus on renewable energy sources, wastewater treatment, waste management and other environmentally friendly and low-carbon technologies.
  • Support the development of national documents in the areas of energy and climate change.
  • Assist with harmonization of the legislation towards EU accession (chapters 15 and 27).
  • Depending on the team needs, provide support with projects and activities under the Belt and Road Initiative.
  • Advise on potential policy changes and contribute to preparation of sector-related diagnostic works through research, data collection, stakeholder interviewing and coordination, consulting activities, ToR preparation, etc.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Technical Advisor and/or Prime Minister.
  • Prepare projects’ status reports on a regular basis.

Network with partners and beneficiaries

  • 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 maintaining regular contacts with beneficiaries to ensure relevance and quality of projects’ outputs.
  • Establish record with contacts, pursue networking and information sharing and to follow up on partnership related issues.
  • Prepare official correspondence for national and international partners.

Knowledge management

  • Identify, collect and analyze policy-related, relevant information and data.
  • Codify and provide best practices and lessons learnt, particularly linked to the areas of capacity development and national (economic, social and human) development.
  • Support activities related to assessing capacities and needs of government organizations and partners, in close collaboration with national counterparts at both central and local level.
  • Facilitate team’s learning and knowledge sharing.

Performance indicators for evaluation of results:

  • 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;
  • Regular communication with relevant partners and stakeholders;
  • Regular contacts with other members of the expert team and project management team regarding implementation of relevant capacity building.

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:

  • Master’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or similar discipline from an accredited university or Bachelor’s degree in the field of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or similar discipline from an accredited university. 

Work experience:

  • Track record of a minimum of five (5) years with Master’s degree or seven (7) years with Bachelor’s degree of professional experience in energy and/or environment sector is requested.
  • Experience with environmental protection sector organizations would be an advantage. 
  • Work engagement with government and/or international organizations would be an advantage.
  • Proven ability to deliver high quality output in implementation of energy, and/or environmental sector reforms.
  • Track record of preparing high quality energy and/or environment related reports/documents.
  • Strong network of national stakeholders, including public institutions, international organizations and businesses.

Knowledge 

  • Good understanding of Serbian energy sector organization and structure, especially of electricity and gas. 
  • Good understanding of national and international institutions and their work; understanding of the national legal framework and international initiatives relevant to the required knowledge area.
  • Possession of technical knowledge on environmental aspects of energy investments and European requirements and trends in the area of environmental protection related to energy production is highly desirable/required. 
  • Knowledge of project cycle management, from initiation to infrastructure delivery, including technical documentation and permitting requirements under the Energy Law and Serbian Planning and Construction Act. Knowledge of the environment and mining sectors regulatory framework will be considered as additional advantage. 
  • Solid understanding of procedures related to European Union Funds such as, Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Western Balkan Investment Framework (WBIF).
  • Good understanding of the EU energy and climate change policy framework, as well as the Berlin Process.
  • Familiarity with energy markets and network characteristics and initiatives beyond the Republic of Serbia – in the Western Balkans region.
  • 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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