Background
The overarching objective of the Government Unit for Accelerating Citizen-Centric Measures is to empower the government to implement targeted policies and interventions that significantly enhance the quality of life for Serbia’s citizens while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Serbia is steadfast in its commitment to sustainable development, recognizing that modern governance depends on clear communication, strong public trust, and efficient protocol management.
To further these goals, the Integral Development Program has been launched as part of the comprehensive development plan for 2027, aligning with the upcoming World Exhibition in Belgrade. This program aims to redefine development across Serbia, fostering innovative resource use by promoting stronger interconnections among sectors such as tourism, culture, agriculture, and gastronomy. It focuses on various dimensions of development - economic, demographic, ecological, and social - while empowering regions to leverage their comparative advantages. The strategy includes establishing the National Coordination Body for Integral Development and the national platform Serbia Works to oversee priority projects.
The Project Associate shall provide support services on the legal framework, monitoring, coordination of Integral Development projects, as well as support the National Coordination Body for Integral Development. The role will contribute to strengthening the implementation of strategic initiatives, ensuring legal compliance, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of development efforts within the Government.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide legal assistance and support with the management of the working group on the for Integral Development initiative and providing assistance and key data for preparation of follow up progress reports;
- Collect and provide necessary inputs for the process of conducting regulatory/legal benchmarking with regulations in relevant markets in the region and the EU;
- Collect and provide key data and inputs and assistance related to legal support to the Prime Minister Office, National Body for Integral Development and other state institutions within this initiative, in the process of drafting of legal & regulatory documentation in relation to the projects in Integral Development portfolio.
- Collect and provide key inputs and relevant data and assistance in the process of legal support to the Prime Minister Office and its relevant institutions, in drafting and implementation of relevant bylaws in line with changes to the projects in Integral Development portfolio;
- Provide assistance in the field of legal support in facilitating public hearing and consultations on all regulatory and strategic recommendations;
- Provide assistance in terms of the collection of data and relevant inputs and other materials related to the policy paper drafting, report analysis and synthesis, as well as general understanding of the integral development strategies/projects;
- Provide assistance for further capacity development/implementation of corporate governance and other aspects relevant to the development of project within the integral development portfolio;
- Drafting initial legal opinions based on the research carried out and the analysis of the materials for the projects within integral development portfolio.
- Provide continuous support in maintaining good cooperation and coordination between national counterparts, project partners and other relevant stakeholders;
- Provide assistance and inputs for enhancement of active participation in and coordination of meetings, training sessions, conferences and public promotion of projects.
- Perform any other duties as required.
Institutional Arrangement
The Project Associate will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Analyst, SDG Integration.
Competencies Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Thematic Area Name Definition Business Management Working with Evidence and Data
- Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data with the goal of discovering useful information, informing conclusions and supporting decision-making. Business Management Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
- Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.
- Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
- Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
- Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns. Business Management Communication
- Ability to 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. Legal Legal analysis skills The ability to digest a large amount of information and facts in order to frame and understand an issue, apply the legal framework to the particular set of facts and present a coherent and comprehensive analysis of the situation presented in order to deliver practical and meaningful advice. This skill includes the ability to provide an objective assessment of the case, the organization's best arguments for proceeding and a recommended course of action. It also includes the capacity to think creatively and flexibly, within the applicable legal framework. Legal Legal Research The ability to identify and retrieve information to support legal positions and corporate decision making from all relevant sources. In the UNDP context, this skill includes, amongst other things, proactive seeking of information in anticipation of the different angles that any given issue may present.
Operations: Administration, Finance, HR, Procurement, IT and Security
Administration & Operations
Events management (including retreats, trainings and meetings) Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc. Operations: Administration, Finance, HR, Procurement, IT and Security
Finance
Budget management Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets Required Skills and Experience Education:
- Secondary education is required.
- Bachelor’s Degree in law, economics or related field will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement
Experience: - Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible work experience in legal regulatory affairs in public administration with Secondary Education. Alternatively, if in possession of Bachelor's Degree, 4 years of relevant professional experience is required.
Required skills:
- Ability to deliver results when working under pressure and within changing circumstances;
- Excellent writing/reporting and presentation skills;
- Excellent interpersonal, networking and team building skills;
- Strong oral and written communication skills;
- Good organizational and time management skills;
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards;
- Good analytical skills;
- Treats all people fairly without prejudice;
- Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Desired skills:
- Sound understanding of Serbia's political, institutional, and socio-economic situation;
- Thorough knowledge of the national institutional and legal framework and policy implementation processes;
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
- Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
Languages:
- Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and English.
The online application form must be fully completed. Applicants are required to carefully complete their online application form and reflect all of their work experience history in the application.
Only attaching a CV is not sufficient for applicants to be considered for positions. All applicants have to complete the Experience, Education, Language, and Nationality & Permanent Residence fields fully.
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.
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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.