Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as “internal” candidates)
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

The Republic of Serbia has been a candidate country for EU membership since 2012. With the EU as the key donor, trading partner and investor, successful integration is considered critical for Serbia’s socio-economic development and implementation of structural reforms. The revised enlargement methodology adopted by the EU in 2020, aiming for a more efficient, transparent and dynamic accession process, placed new challenges and opportunities before Serbian institutions. The credibility of the process is meant to be reinforced through an even stronger focus on the fundamental reforms and a more central role in the EU integration process. The Growth Plan for the Western Balkans was adopted by the European Commission on 8 November 2023, incentivizing enlargement partners” preparations for EU membership by bringing forward some of its benefits ahead of full integration. To support this process, a new €6 billion financial instrument, the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, was adopted for the period 2024-2027. On 3 October 2024, the Government of Serbia adopted its Reform Agenda, developed with 37 Serbian institutions and the European Commission, outlining 98 measures across four reform areas. The Ministry of European Integration, as the coordinator of the process, required support to adjust to new methodology and deliver the structure and plan for conditional membership by 2030, as well as in establishing the monitoring and verification system to coordinate Reform Agenda efforts, and assist with achieving indicators. To strengthen the institutional capacities of the MEI, the coordinating body for EU accession, and building on the implemented Initiation Plan, UNDP and MEI has continued their cooperation through the Supporting Serbia’s EU Accession Negotiation project (2024-2026). The project aims to provide further strengthening of institutional capacities for the EU negotiations requirements.

Thus, the UNDP is seeking to engage the Policy Specialist – EU Accession Negotiations, to support the Ministry of European Integration in the policy coordination of the overall Serbia’s reforms towards EU membership.

Duties and Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of this position is to coordinate and provide guidance on the implementation of the Reform Agenda at the national level. Additionally, he/she will work closely with various development partners and government institutions at both the national and local levels.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specifically, the Policy Specialist for EU Accession Negotiations will have the following tasks and roles He/she will be responsible to:

Lead and coordinate activities on the EU Accession Negotiations, in close cooperation with the MEI leadership.

• Coordinate national stakeholders and development partners in the implementation of the National EU Accession priorities.
• Leading to establish and maintain implementation framework for project activities.
• Coordinate, facilitate, support, and monitor the implementation of the Reform Agenda activities across country.
• Facilitate dialogue and discussions with development partners for ensuring the continuity of financing (fund mobilization) for the implementation of the EU Accession-related reforms.
• Leading the efforts to maintain and enhance the partnership with EU.
• Mobilize Resource: work closely with UN agencies and relevant stakeholders to solicit resources from GEF, GCF, The World Bank Group, EBRD, and other multilateral and bilateral development partners.
• Establish and strengthen partnership with government and non- government organizations for joint resource mobilization and project implementation.
• Facilitate the coordination of policy development processes on issues related toEU Accessions.
• Guide the design and implementation of capacity building and investment programs related to EU Accession for national and subnational actors for ensuring an effective and efficient reform agenda implementation.
• Ensure the proper communications and dissemination of information related to Serbia’s development and EU Accession experiences to national and international stakeholders in a transparent manner through appropriate channels (e.g., website).
• Leading and overseeing the knowledge management
• Ensure proper engagement and participation of stakeholders on the MEI’s initiatives using its governance structures at various levels.

Take responsibility and leadership to initiate, manage, and coordinate various activities, such as activity and budget planning, M&E and preparing periodic reports.

• Organize meetings with the national and local stakeholders as appropriate.
• Guide project teams in the delivery of the activities, as needed (including, for example, selection for key activities, holding stakeholder meetings, designing trainings, creating and tracking progress);
• Work with and supporting a team of experts in the MEI’s projects.

Build capabilities within programme teams through training, design of implementation/ tracking tools, and coaching on the MEI’s projects delivery;

• Identify issues in project delivery and work collaboratively with project teams to identify solutions and help resolve them.
• Liaise across projects, track delivery, and track overall impact towards EU Accession-related goals.
• Facilitate the coordination of policy development processes on issues related to Growth Plan Reform Agenda.
• Facilitate coordination meetings and trainings with the MEI’s projects teams to review overall progress and identify opportunities across projects for shared learning and resourcing.
• Provide support to consultants or partner organizations contracted for assessment and training.

Monitor the programme risks as initially identified in the Project and identify new risks for consideration and decision on possible actions; update the status of these risks by maintaining the Programme Risk Log

• Identify and initiate technical studies in relation to the implementation of the Growth Plan Reform Agenda.
• Lead the harmonization of the different technical planning, monitoring, financial and operational efforts around theEU Integration activities at national and local levels.
• Provide technical inputs to the planning, implementation, monitoring and delivery of operational activities towards the realization of the programme outputs.
• Follow up and monitor the activities of projects.

Provide technical inputs during planning for the project activities and budget in accordance with project plans;

• Ensure broader participation and engagement of the stakeholders and update the plan on a regular basis as required.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Policy Specialist for EU Accession Negotiations will work under the direct supervision of the UNDP Programme Specialist – Governance & Inclusive Growth and in consultation with the MEI.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Management:

• Portfolio Management:
  • Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization’s programmes and projects, in line with its strategic objectives and capacity
  • Ability to balance the implementation of change initiatives and the maintenance of business-as-usual, while optimising return on investment.
  • Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme, and portfolio management.
• Partnership Management:
  • Build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Direction & Strategy:

• System Thinking:
  • Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgment to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
• Effective Decision Making:
  • Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one”s authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.
• 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.

Ethics:

• Legal Analysis and Report Writing:
  • Ability to apply legal analysis to a diverse range of complex issues, and express themselves clearly; ability to communicate well, to all levels of staff and contractors/consultants, governments et.al

Legal:

• Legal writing skills:
  • The ability to analyse fact patterns and present argumentation in written form. This includes the ability to draft memoranda, legal briefs and other submissions to external parties, in both an advocacy and objective format, and legal opinions. It also includes the ability to convey legal analysis and recommendations to internal parties in written form, with a particular view towards communicating for the particular audience who may not be a lawyer or have legal background.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master”s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Law or a relevant related field is required; or;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years (with master’s degree) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant working experience in European integrations, public administration reforms, public policy or relevant related field is required.

Desired Skills:

• Experience in providing policy advice to large scale policy-level projects
• Experience in EU Integrations and related reform processes.
• Experience in coordinating and implementing projects and initiatives.
• Experience in building strong relationships with stakeholders and external actors.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Serbian 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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