Capacity Building Officer for Environmental Governance (four retainer positions)

Background Information – Job-specific

The Joint UN Programme PRO-Local Governance for People and Nature (“PRO Programme”) is designed to contribute to improving the well-being and quality of life of citizens through improved local governance, social inclusion and environmental protection in 99 cities and municipalities from Šumadija and Western Serbia and Southern and Eastern Serbia, which are eligible for the Programme support. The Joint UN Programme is implemented by the United Nations Serbia agencies – UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA and UNEP, in cooperation with the Government of Serbia and with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland. The Swiss Government has allocated USD 9.4 million to fund the Programme which will be implemented over a period of 48 months.

To achieve the Programme’s Objective, the intervention will focus on three key Pillars and Outcomes:

1. Pillar Good Governance, Outcome 1: Local self-governments (LSGs) improve capacities and apply good governance principles in practice;
2. Pillar Social Inclusion, Outcome 2: LSGs and other relevant local actors improve capacities and develop evidence-based local social protection policies;
3. Pillar Environmental Governance, Outcome 3: LSGs improve capacities and apply environmental governance processes in practice.

The key stakeholders, but also direct users of support at the local level, will be local governments (cities and municipalities), including their administrations/staff, organisations, and local institutions (Centres for Social Work – CSWs, Primary Health Centres – PHCs, pre-school institutions and schools), local Civil Society Organisations – CSOs. The final users of support will be the citizens from participating LSGs from the Region of Šumadija and Western Serbia, and the Region of Southern and Eastern Serbia.

All Programme activities will be undertaken in partnership with the Government of Serbia, especially the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Governments (MPALSG), the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (MLEVSA), the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP), and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM).

The Programme will coordinate its activities with the key line-national-level institutions, while observing the national strategies, laws and relevant development documents, which will contribute to sustainability, ensure national ownership and develop national capacities.

Functional responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Senior Officer for Good Governance, supervised by and reporting directly to the Officer for Governance, the Capacity Building Officer is tasked with the strategic conceptualization, detailed development, and delivery of Technical Assistance (TA) to 20 Local Self-Governments (LSGs) (five per each position advertised). These LSGs, selected through the PRO Programme’s Snapshot Assessment, will receive support in integrating Environmental Governance (EG) processes into their operations. This role is pivotal in assisting LSGs to either establish new, revise outdated, or enhance existing local policies and norms in EG, in alignment with domestic legal and policy frameworks.

More specifically, the Officer will undertake the following activities:

Preparatory phase:

• Liaise with relevant Programme personnel to acquire necessary understanding of the context and objectives of the environmental governance intervention;
• Conduct field visits to the assigned five selected LSGs, engaging key stakeholders to (re)assess current capacities and capabilities for EG (validate the findings of the PRO’s EG Snapshot Assessment ), and identify local needs, and improvement areas;
• Following the visits to the assigned LSGs, prepare a tailored action plan for each LSG, thus ensuring a methodic approach to the TA that addresses the specific needs of the LSG and alignes with the Programme’s objectives;

Deliver technical assistance to support LSGs, that may include the following:

Setting up/enhancing local EG capacities and capabilities, which may include:

– developing new or updating the existing local public policies (in a participatory process, which will include local private sector as well) and normative/regulatory framework, including development of LSG-specific nature-based solutions where feasible;
– (re)defining roles and responsibilities in local environmental protection system and enhancing EP management practices;
– enhancing local environmental protection programming system and developing environmental monitoring tools and institutionalising local oversight mechanisms;
– improving LSGs communication strategies, fostering greater civic engagement, establishing and promoting mechanisms for citizen participation in local EG processes;
– improving information exchange, coordination and collaboration on environmental protection among all tiers of the Government.

Provision of mentoring support:

• Prepare concept and a tailor-made plan for capacity development for each LSG, focusing on applying EG effectively in practice;
• Identify key areas for improvement and align them with the Programme objectives;
• Improve the knowledge and capacities of LSGs to apply good governance (GG) principles in environmental processes;
• Support in developing relevant documentation for applying EG in practice (e.g., local regulations, protocols, normative acts, etc);
• Provide guidance and support in developing mechanisms and tools for environmental monitoring and evaluation of the results in environmental protection.

Delivering the two training sessions:

• Develop the approach, methodology, training agenda and other relevant material;
• The main but not exclusive topics of the training should cover: normative framework for EG , the line GG processes and aspects of the line roles and responsibilities in the local environmental protection system, technical and institutional management, establishment of EP monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, protocols for the exchange of information, and greater citizens participation in local EG processes.
• Conceptualize and propose a follow up process with the participants, ensuring the effective application of acquired knowledge and skills ;
• Prepare the training report with key lessons learned, conclusions and recommendations for future interventions. The Final report format will be previously agreed with the Supervisor.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in Law, Public Administration, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or similar field is required.

Work Experience

• Minimum two years of experience related to capacity development of local or national institutions in Serbia in environmental protection is required.
• Prior experience in delivering training is an asset.
• Knowledge of the government structures, links, processes and pertained legal and regulatory framework at the local level relevant to the good governance is an asset.
• Experience in developing and writing reports with key conclusions and recommendations is an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Serbian and English is required

ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A CV AND COVER LETTER INDICATING A PREFERENCE IN TERMS OF DUTY STATION ALONG WITH THEIR APPLICATION.

Licencing

Driving license and ability to travel independently is required

Competencies

Strategic Perspective– Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Integrity and Inclusion– Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Leading self and others– Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Partnering– Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Results Orientation– Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Agility– Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Solution Focused– Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Effective communication– Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

This is a local position, it is therefore open to nationals of Serbia and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) – retainer
Contract level: Local ICA, Level 8
Contract duration: Up to 35 working days per position within the twelve months

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Background information – UNOPS Serbia

The UNOPS Republic of Serbia Multi Country Office (RSMCO) is implementing 12 projects in Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro.

In Serbia, where UNOPS has been active since 2000, and North Macedonia and Montenegro where UNOPS works since 2017, the organisation provides support in demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union. The projects focus on sustainable socio-economic development, good governance, social cohesion, environment and emergency response. The projects are implemented with the funding from the European Union (EU), Kingdom of Norway, Governments of Switzerland, Sweden and North Macedonia.

All projects have gender equality as a transversal theme, and have been contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives.