Background
Montenegro is at a critical juncture in its pursuit of sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The country’s ambitions to align with the European Union’s Green Deal, Circular Economy Action Plan, and Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) have given rise to two complementary initiatives: “Circular Transition and Responsible Business Conduct in Montenegro”, implemented by UNDP and ILO; and “IDEA-ME: Innovation for Development and Economic Advancement in Montenegro”, implemented by UNDP and UNECE.
Both projects aim to tackle structural economic and environmental challenges while promoting innovation, responsible business practices, and inclusive growth. They focus on strengthening national frameworks, improving institutional capacities, and leveraging digital tools and partnerships to create an enabling environment for transformation.
The Circular Transition and Responsible Business Conduct project addresses Montenegro’s need to shift from a linear to a circular economy, emphasizing industrial symbiosis, responsible business conduct (RBC), and inclusive economic practices. It targets micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), women entrepreneurs, and informal waste workers to improve resource efficiency, reduce waste, and create decent work opportunities aligned with EU environmental and labour standards.
Meanwhile, the IDEA-ME - Innovation for Development and Economic Advancement in Montenegro project aims to strengthen the innovation ecosystem by enhancing science-business linkages, supporting commercialization pathways, and enabling policy coherence through the integration of Smart Specialisation principles. The initiative focuses on empowering innovation institutions, policymakers, and private sector actors—particularly women-led enterprises and STEM startups—through targeted capacity building, regional integration, and access to EU innovation platforms and funding opportunities.
Both projects contribute to Montenegro’s EU accession process, particularly in areas aligned with Chapter 27 (Environment) and Chapter 25 (Science and Research), while supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially on decent work, gender equality, innovation, and climate action.
Given the interconnected nature and strategic relevance of both initiatives, the Project Analyst will play a key coordinating and leadership role in ensuring the effective and timely delivery of results. Serving as the central focal point for both projects, the Analyst will support overall project management functions, including planning, coordination, monitoring, and reporting, while fostering synergies between partners, stakeholders, and institutional counterparts. The Analyst will also play an integral role in facilitating knowledge exchange, supporting the use of digital tools and innovation-driven solutions, and promoting inclusive, data-informed, and gender-responsive implementation across all components. By ensuring coherence in execution and alignment with national priorities and donor expectations, the Project Analyst will contribute to the long-term sustainability, visibility, and impact of both projects.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the oversight of the Resident Representative and direct supervision of the Team Leader for Inclusive and Green Growth in UNDP Office in Montenegro the Project Analyst will ensure effective and efficient implementation relevant project activities and delivery of the results as per the annual workplans, and in line with the prevailing UNDP rules and procedures, as well as with due compliance with the UNDP internal control framework. The Project Analyst will execute duties and responsibilities outlined below in the following functional areas:
Support partnerships and advocacy activities at project level:
Manage/implement the project activities in a gender sensitive manner and contribute to the further development of the project through its promotion and partnership building with the relevant stakeholders and relevant international and local partners. Coordinate resource mobilization activities and negotiate with donors for activities within the framework of the project and maintain regular communication with them, and actively participate in the design and development of related projects. Contribute to the formulation and development of new projects and strategic plans that are in line with the UNDP strategic focus and gender sensitive. Advise UNDP on strategic matters and global developments related to the low carbon inclusive green development and other related topics. Monitor implementation progress and ensure quality and timely reporting to donors and Project partners. Maintain regular communication with other UN Agencies, CSOs, international organizations and stakeholders interested to provide further support to the low carbon inclusive green development. Identify and develop interventions in line with national priorities and building up on the existing portfolio of UNDP Montenegro.Management of the project and implementing activities by mobilizing goods and service, in accordance with the internal UNDP policies and procedures:
Ensure successful completion of the projects in accordance with the stated outcomes and performance indicators summarized in the project’s results framework and within the planned schedule and budget. Assist in identifying relevant sources of expertise for project/activity implementation Advice the respective Team Leader on potential adjustments of actions and procedures considering changing requirements, issues, risks and needs. Maintain regular communication and provide advisory and implementation support to identified institutional partners in their efforts to advance circular economy practices, responsible business conduct, and innovation system strengthening in line with national priorities and EU integration processes. Organize project teamwork in line with the Project document including consultants; prepare and assign due tasks, monitor progress and motivate them. Ensure that the project work plans are prepared and updated on time and reflect project objectives and outputs from the Results and Resources Framework. Ensure timely coordination and recruitment of individual consultants and ensure gender sensitive process. Ensure that procurement of goods and services under the project is undertaken in an optimal quality manner. Supervise and coordinate the contracts of various vendors contracted for the purpose of specific project activities’ implementation. Monitor implementation progress and ensure, results based, quality and timely reporting to project partners and internally. Identify, assess, and manage potential project risks—including programmatic, operational, financial, and reputational risks—and implement appropriate mitigation strategies in coordination with the CO risk focal point. In cooperation with the respective Project Assistant, support the maintenance of complete accounting records of all the project activities (budget, commitments, expenditures, income); ensure proper follow up in relation to project expenditures, approval, and financial reporting. Be responsible for title of transfer of all the assets purchased and used under the project Monitor the resources being spent i.e. approve requisitions in Quantum and certify/confirm receipt of goods and services. Ensure that outputs produced by the project are adequately communicated in partnership with relevant institutions and donors. Regular monitoring of the relevant events and/or subjects in the local media.Ensure implementation of knowledge management activities:
Capture lessons learnt during project implementation and support development of case studies and storytelling for portfolio results. Facilitate knowledge codification and sharing, as well as organizing targeted training sessions for project staff. Facilitate strategic innovation processes using established frameworks applying systems thinking and portfolio approaches to urban development challenges. Ensure regular exchange of information/experience with other projects, cross-learning and sharing results and good practices. Contribute to the learning and knowledge sharing within UNDP and among external partners at the country, regional and global levels. Participate in regular internal meetings, training events, communities of practice.Gender mainstreaming
Ensure gender is effectively mainstreamed throughout the project activities, work plans, budgets, reports, research, analyses and, where specifically relevant, analyzed in detail. Ensure gender equality is mainstreamed throughout the project team, consultants and stakeholders. Ensure knowledge on gender equality is incorporated in project knowledge management activities and products.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
All UNDP personnel are expected to uphold UNDP's core values: integrity, accountability, transparency, professionalism, mutual respect, and results orientation.
The results of the work of the Project Analyst have a direct impact on the implementation of the project and the achievement of expected outcome(s). The results have an impact on the planning, implementation, monitoring and coordination of project activities and resources (human, financial, material assets etc.) to meet expected results and contribute to the overall success and impact of the UNDP Office in Montenegro.
Institutional Arrangement:
The Project Analyst reports to the Team Leader for Inclusive and Green Growth in UNDP Office in Montenegro. S/he works in close collaboration with other members of the Green and Inclusive Growth Cluster, other clusters in the Country Office, the Operations team, UNDP HQs global and regional, other UN Agencies staff, government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, civil society, and private sector. The Project Analyst supervises a project assistant.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision makingCross-Functional & Technical competencies:
SDG Integration: SDG Monitoring and Reporting. Climate: Circular economy and green economy. Resource Mobilization: Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with funding opportunities, and establish a plan to meet funding requirements. Partnership Management: Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, governments, civil society and private sector partners, international community, UN agencies, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies. Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels. Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. Risk Management: Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Master´s degree in Economics, Public Finance, Environment or a related field is required, or Bachelor’s Degree in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
Master´s degree in Economics, Public Finance, Environment or a related field is required, or Bachelor’s Degree in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.Required skills:
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc).Desired skills:
Experience in coordinating complex partnerships, partnership building and management with multi-stakeholders, including government agencies, donors and civil society organizations; Experience in public sectors reforms undertaking; Experience in dealing with the national system and legislation related to the sustainable development and EU integration requirements; Experience in negotiations with donors; Experience in project monitoring and reporting.Language:
Fluency in English and Montenegrin is required.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.
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