UNDP supports Serbia in its own efforts to achieve a high level of human prosperity and dignity for all its citizens irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, or creed. UNDP promotes sustainable human development, human security, and equal possibilities for all, while providing every available support to Serbia in its progress toward joining the European Union. UNDP’s projects and programmes are implemented within the scope of the Country Program Document 2016-2020 (CDP). The CDP derives from and supports the implementation of the UN Development Partnership Framework 2016-2020 with the focus on: (a) accountable and representative governance institutions serving people; (b) equal participation for women and lives free of violence; (c) inclusive and sustainable growth; and (d) low-carbon and climate-resilient development.

This assignment primarily entails managing a range of infrastructure projects ranging from educational and cultural facilities to research and development and energy efficiency type of projects with a significant focus on technical design development, technical control, and execution of works. A thorough understanding of Serbian Law on Planning and Construction is essential for navigating regulatory frameworks effectively. The responsibilities encompass ensuring the adherence of projects to legal requirements, overseeing the technical aspects of design implementation, and ensuring the smooth execution of construction activities. Proficiency in coordinating various stakeholders is of utmost importance so as to ensure project success within the legal framework and technical specifications. Moreover, the Engineering Associate – Architect assignment requires a keen attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving for addressing any challenges that may arise during the project’s lifecycle.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager-Engineering Tech Cell, the Engineering Associate (Architect) has the responsibility to support infrastructure activities related to the design, supervision and quality assurance. The Engineering Associate (Architect) should provide technical expertise and support assuring that the projects produce the results specified in the Project Documents for the infrastructure components, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Specific responsibilities will include assistance in the implementation of activities with the aim of achieving the following project results:

• Assisting in production of infrastructure project design documentation such as pre-feasibility and feasibility study, preliminary design, main design, revision of design documentation.
• Facilitation of needs assessment process with the beneficiary, support in design of tender documentation, preparation and execution of tender processes for procurement of goods and services, procurement guides, provide inputs for contracts for goods and services.
• Assisting in supervision of project design development process, coordination and supervision of construction works.
• Suggest and advise on how to resolve problems and/or conflicts and recommend corrections in terms of design, materials or the quality of work and managing these corrections upon the approval by the Project Manager.
• Support during the on-site monitoring of quality and quantities of works, costs, schedule, safety, and environment issues, in full compliance with the applicable laws, bylaws, regulations, technical standards and legal requirements in the Republic of Serbia.
• Support to project management of works with adherent installations aimed at energy efficiency improvements, and related environmental management issues.
• Reporting on on-site monitoring.
• Provide early warning to the Project Manager of potential problems and/or critical issues regarding the infrastructure improvement and execution of the works.
• Collection, analysis, and presentation of background information for preparation of project annual work plans and progress reports.
• Providing inputs for creation of project monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Ensuring full compliance of activities with established project management rules, regulations, and policies.
• Drafting correspondence on project engineering issues for Project Manager, as required.
• Liaising with contractors, municipalities, and other partners on project matters.

Institutional Arrangement

Engineering Associate (Architect) will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager-Engineering Tech Cell

Competencies

Core Competencies

• 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

Business Direction & Strategy – Effective Decision Making

• Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources

Business Management – Monitoring

• Ability to provide manager and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

Digital & Innovation – Tech Literacy

• Ability to apply new digital tools or adapting their original use to create new insights, fresh perspectives or develop solutions. Understand the potential as well as the limitations of certain technological developments; being able to identify how technology can add value when it’s used as a “means to an end”.

Digital & Innovation – Systems thinking & transformation

• Understand that complex problems need a non-reductionistic, holistic approach. Ability to explore challenges from multiple perspectives by zooming in and out, with a focus on relationships and flows rather than individual elements; understand how certain dynamics and conditions are driving and influencing an issue.
• Ability to develop a collective understanding by a mapping systems and their dynamics (e.g. flows or resources, information; power relations); is able to handle ambiguity and can help others navigate it.
• Being able to identify intervention points to leverage change and system transformation by setting out a coherent collection of multiple interventions to probe the system for desirable effects.
• Understand that change is non-linear and unpredictable; being comfortable and able to work with emergence.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Secondary education is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in architecture or a related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years (with Secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of relevant experience in construction-related project management and supervision in the fields of architecture.

Language

• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and working knowledge of English is required.

Required Skills

• Good organizational and time management skills.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback.
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.
• Excellent information technology skills, including word processing, database applications, presentation software, and internet.
• Responsible, communicative, well-organized, team-oriented person.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Desired Skills

• Experience in coordination and/or management of large-scale projects.
• Experience in preparation of design in accordance with the Law on Planning and Construction requirements
• Work experience in/with international organization and/or government institution would be an asset.
• Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Advanced user of AutoCAD would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of BIM would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of national legislation.