The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), acting as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is providing assistance to the Government of Serbia in the implementation of the projects related to fulfilling the reporting requirements to the multilateral Environmental Agreements, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Paris Agreement and other relevant MEAs.
Also, the UNDP in Serbia is implementing “Advancing medium and long-term adaptation planning in the Republic of Serbia” project in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, which is financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The main project goal is to strengthen capacities for mainstreaming climate change adaptation (CCA) into national and sectoral policies and programmes.
Under the climate change and environment portfolio, UNDP implements several projects related to strengthening resilience of local communities on climate change and mitigating actions which contribute to NDCs and Paris Agreement, within the scope of the Country Program Document (CPD). CPD covering a period 2021 – 2025 derives from and supports the implementation of the UN Development Partnership Framework with the focus on: (a) more accountable institutions and empowered citizens, (b) inclusive innovation for development and decent work opportunities and (c) strengthening resilience for current and future generations. Projects are supporting creation of enabling policy environment, improving regulatory framework and promoting innovative and integrative approaches and new technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions at community level. Also, the ongoing projects are promoting transformational shift from linear towards more circular economy models in public and corporate sector. Moreover, the focus is on new business models, public-private partnerships, and social inclusiveness as an integrative approach in mitigating climate change. Projects within the climate change and environment portfolio also contribute to enabling policy and investment framework for implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans in Serbia. Besides decarbonization of economy, these projects also unlock investments that lead to industrial emission reductions, improved air quality at municipal level, waste recycling, afforestation, sustainable resource consumption etc. Investments supported through these projects are expected to have larger scale up and replication potential.
- Supervise and coordinate the implementation of activities, on both organizational and substantive matters– ensuring that budgeting, planning and general monitoring of the projects are done per the Project Documents and the rules and procedures established in the UNDP Programming Manual,
- Contribute to the development and fulfillment of Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plans,
- Prepare project Work Plans and budgets with close monitoring of the overall project progress and conducting required adaptive management to reflect the changing circumstances and eventually emerging new opportunities,
- Draft Project reports (Progress reports including the Final report) and their presentation to the National Project Director/Project Board for review/approval,
- Manage the procurement and the project budget under the UNDP procedures to assure timely involvement of local and international experts, organization of training etc. following UNDP rules and procedures,
- Supervise and coordinate the contracts of the experts working on Innovation Challenge Calls,
- Support preparation of Innovation Challenge Calls, mobilization of potential applicants, contracting of independent evaluators,
- Prepare documentation for selected teams necessary for paying Innovation awards following UNDP rules and procedures, monitoring progress and progress reports submitted by the awarded team,
- Establish mentorship teams on an ad-hoc basis and as requested by beneficiaries (teams undergoing the acceleration process),
- Perform Due Diligence, assist responsible parties to prepare project document and supporting Annexes as obligatory documents of the Low-value Performance-Based Payments agreements (PBPs) under the UNDP rules and procedures, review progress reports, prepare documentation to be submitted to the Project Boards for approving tranches,
- Visit at regular basis and on demand teams which received financial support for implementation to monitor the project progress and clarify the related issues on the ground,
- Mobilize internal UNDP support and learning/knowledge sharing networks to support successful implementation of the innovative projects,
- Follow the latest international and national development in the climate change and circular economy related fields and initiate and establish new partnerships to support project implementation,
- Prepare, coordinate and facilitate additional Innovation Challenge call that will arise as the result of partnerships with different project partners,
- Actively explore opportunities for new partnerships and opportunities for co-ordination and co-operation with other ongoing and planned activities in Serbia and abroad, with a focus on innovative solutions,
- Prepare draft briefs, talking points and relevant materials,
- Draft terms of reference for consultants and project personnel,
- Coordinate respective project teams,
- Assume responsibilities in line with the Internal Control Framework,
- Participate in recruitment and evaluation panels.
- Maintain good cooperation and coordination between national counterparts, project partners and other stakeholders.
- Maintain regular contacts with beneficiaries to ensure relevance and quality of project’ outputs.
- Provide substantive advice on key issues within the scope of respective Output.
- Establish record with contacts, pursue networking and information sharing and to follow up on partnership related issues.
- Coordinate meetings, training sessions, conferences and public events.
- Prepare official correspondence for national and international partners.
- Maintain and update a database of innovators, service providers, complementary projects and available sources of funding.
- Active participate in developing an innovation platform to connect solution providers and solution users, blending of finance, developing partnerships.
- 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 transfer of knowledge and research innovation trends of the EU in terms of ensuring alignment with the requirements of Serbia’s EU Accession process and ensure sustainability by integrating project activities into the EU IPA planning processes.
- Identify and support the transfer of knowledge and practice regarding future trends, approaches, methodologies relevant for open data, sense - making and platform way of working to stakeholders participating in the Climate Incubator/Accelerator and other project partners.
- 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.
- Performing other duties as required.
- Good application of Results-Based Management;
- Good communication, coordination and facilitation skills;
- Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of Project work;
- Establishes lasting relationships and substantive dialogue with clients;
- Treats all people fairly without favourism;
- Strong oral and written communication skills;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling ethical standards.
- Experience working in the UN system or other international organizations;
- Experience in managing projects in the field of climate change adaptation and environmental protection;
- Excellent understanding of Serbia's socio-economic situation;
- Knowledge in the use of computers and office software packages and handling of web-based management systems;
- Excellent writing/reporting and presentation skills;
- Excellent interpersonal, networking and team building skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in natural, environmental, technical sciences, international relations, law, economics or equivalent, with substantial working experience in relevant field.
- Minimum 4 years of relevant professional experience in a management/coordination position, preferably in international/multilateral development context;
- Experience in managing teams and complex processes that included extensive communication, coordination and facilitation requirements;
- Experience in areas of work related to the development of sectoral and programming policies and planning and institutional capacity building, with increasing responsibilities, preferably in areas related to climate change adaptation;
- Experience in partnership building at international, national, regional and local level.
Required Language(s) (at working level)
- Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and English.
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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Contract Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)