Project Management Support Associate for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Business Support Organisations (temporary replacement)

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Officer for the Sector for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), the Project Management Support - Associate for the Sector for SMEs will be responsible for the implementation of projects and activities contributing to improved technological structure of SMEs and their ability to increase their market share and strengthened ability of Business Support Organisations (BSOs) to provide specialised services to SMEs. S/he will be assisting SMEs and BSOs in the assigned territory of the Programme Area of Responsibility (AoR) to implement activities resulting in increase of SMEs productivity, improved business operations, better market positioning and more competitive export, and creation of new jobs. 

The Associate for the Sector for SMEs will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

• Maintain professional relationship with the business community and other local stakeholders within the Programme AoR 
• Support dialogue and cooperation between SMEs, BSOs and relevant local and national stakeholders, regional development agencies, donors and other programmes in order to help them to identify common projects and funding mechanisms and establish partnerships
• Contribute to development of the Programme’s  reports and analysis related to SME competitiveness and provision of services to SMEs by BSOs, with particular attention to results of the Programme’s initiatives 
• Contribute to presentation of the Programme’s support to increased competitiveness of SMEs and strengthened ability of BSOs to provide specialised services to SMEs
• Provide specialised knowledge needed for development of the Calls for Proposals (CFPs) for SMEs and BSOs, including the business start-ups
• Organise trainings, information sessions, and other events related to promotion of the CFPs for SMEs  and BSOs and capacity building of potential beneficiaries to adequately respond to the Calls
• Participate in evaluation of project proposals targeting SMEs and BSOs, as per request from the Senior Officer and/or the Project Manager
• With guidance from the Senior Officer, manage implementation of projects related to SME competitiveness and strengthened ability of BSOs to provide specialised services to SMEs
• Assess and ensure alignment of implemented activities with approved project proposals in terms of technical scope, engagement of resources, budget expenditure and agreed timeframe
• Provide technical assistance to the SME and BSO beneficiaries in order to ensure fulfilment of products’ quality criteria, enhance outcomes, and address sustainability 
• Provide inputs to Programme work, financial, and procurement plans in parts related to SME competitiveness and strengthened ability of BSOs to provide specialised services to SMEs
• With guidelines from the operations team and the Senior Officer, contribute to development of documentation needed for procurements and engagement of consultants related to SME competitiveness  
• Manage SME and BSO related grant contracts, follow up of grant contract budgets and interim and final reporting in the assigned territory of the Programme Area of Responsibility 
• Contribute to establishment and maintenance of archive related to SMEs and BSOs
• Provide timely and punctual information to the Sector team about SME and BSO services development milestones as well as about relevant external news about these fields
• With the guidance of the Senior Officer coordinate work of retainers and service providers needed for implementation of the activities supporting SMEs and BSOs
• Contribute to identification and assessment of risks and implement mitigation measures in accordance with the Risk Management Strategy 
• Contribute to qualitative and quantitative analysis of EU PRO Plus results in SME competitiveness development and strengthened ability of BSOs to provide specialised services to SMEs
• Draft reports as envisaged by the Programme Document, while in particular considering progress against the indicators in the logical framework matrix
• Contribute to identification and sharing of the Programme’s lessons learned and best practices 
• Contribute to efficient and effective use of EU PRO Plus and UNOPS tools for monitoring of Programme’s performance, outputs and benefits 
• Provide support to Programme’s communication and visibility activities
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Education

• Completion of Secondary education is required. 

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in economics, social sciences, or development studies is an asset

Experience

• Six years of experience in the implementation of projects targeting SMEs and BSOs in Serbia is required. Bachelor’s degree may substitute for some years of experience.
  

Language Requirements

• Fluent knowledge of English and Serbian is required. 

ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A CV AND COVER LETTER ALONG WITH THEIR APPLICATION