Project Associate (NPSA-6) (Part-time 80%)

Digital transformation of the national economy, public administration, and education are among the key priorities of Serbian Government. Since the establishment in 2017, cabinet-level body – Office for IT and eGovernment – is in charge for consolidation of the government’s ICT resources, development of the common infrastructures and key registers and support to the transition from institution-centric to citizen-centric model.

UNDP provided support to this broad digital agenda of the Serbian Government since its inception, through "Serbia at your Fingertips – Digital Transformation for Development" project. This project comprises six segments. The first three relate to development of the e-government system, the fourth includes support for implementation of activities from the ministerial councils' agendas, while the fifth includes support for implementation of big infrastructural projects in eGovernment. The new sixth component is related to the establishment of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Serbia (C4IR), as well as the development of 4IR technology governance frameworks. One of the key activities supported by the project is establishment of the electronic registers for research and scientific institutions, researchers and publications as well as digitalisation of the key processes in this area.

The current Serbia at Your Fingertips - Digital Transformation for Development project is seeking to expand with new Project Associate, who will be responsible for the following.

Under the guidance of the Portfolio Manager, the Project Associate will:

Provide support for project implementation

• Support the day to day implementation of project activities
• Provide inputs for development of project monitoring and evaluation framework
• Assist in preparing work plans and project reports
• Identify and collect policy-related and other relevant information, documents and data, compile and analyse data for further use in project management
• Support organization and coordination of meetings, training sessions, workshops, conferences and project events and prepare reports and meeting minutes, as required
• Draft terms of reference for consultants and contractors, as required
• Prepare briefs, talking points and relevant communication materials
• Draft correspondence on project issues, as required
• Establish and maintain project filing system, incoming and outgoing correspondence and maintain calendar of events
• Follow up with (sub)contractors to ensure time delivery of outputs
• Maintain cooperation and communication with project’s partners and beneficiaries on the implementation of the agreed activities, especially for the events, trainings, workshops, etc.
• Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing within the project team
• Participate in recruitment and evaluation panels, as required

Provide support for project administration:

• Support in managing project finances, process invoices and ensure tax exemption for project related goods and services
• Support procurement processes, provide inputs for request for quotations/proposals, prepare tenders and small procurements (canvassing), provide inputs for UNDP procurement plan
• Support recruitment of short-term consultants in line with rules and regulations
• Assist project teams, experts and consultants on travel and logistics matters
• Perform other tasks ad duties as assigned by the supervisor
• Present information for audit of NEX projects.
• Ensure full compliance of activities with UNDP rules, regulations, and policies;

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

• Secondary education.
• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, ICT, economics or similar would be an asset.

• Minimum 6 years (with Secondary education) or 3 years (with bachelor's degree) of relevant work experience in the field of IT/ICT or similar field, preferably in science and research sector;

Required Skills: 

• Good organizational and time management skills;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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.
• Experience in organizational activities; evidence of ability to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in teams; to demonstrate a sense of self-assuredness combined with cultural and gender sensitivities;
• 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:

• Excellent information technology skills, including word processing, database applications, presentation software, and internet demonstrated through working on information management system, preferably in educational, science and research sector;
• Experience working in public sector or international organizations;

• Working experience in science and research sector;
• Excellent writing/reporting and presentation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and team building skills.

Language:

• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and English

Institutional Arrangement

Project Associate will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Portfolio Manager, Competitiveness and Digital Governance.

Required Documents

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
• 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.