Background Information
UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.
UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.
The UNOPS Republic of Serbia Multi Country Office (RSMCO) is implementing 13 projects in Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Ukraine.
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.
In Ukraine, UNOPS support to the partners in their reform agenda since 2017 spans the rule of law, social protection, demining, emergency response and security. The projects are funded by the EU, UNHCR, the Governments of Japan and Canada.
All projects have gender equality as a transversal theme, and have been contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives.
EU SHAI Programme background
The European Union Support to Social Housing and Active Inclusion Programme (EU SHAI) is designed to enhance implementation of social inclusion policies in Serbia and provide sustainable housing solutions accompanied with active inclusion measures for the most vulnerable population. The European Union (EU) has allocated 27 million Euros through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) 2018 for the 48 month-long implementation of the Programme (December 2019 - November 2023), and the UNOPS has been selected as the implementing partner. National partners and the Programme beneficiaries are the Ministry for Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs and the Ministry of European Integration.
The Programme will strengthen capacities at the national and local level for identification, programming, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of sustainable social housing programmes and projects. It will also provide a range of housing solutions for vulnerable beneficiaries, ranging from construction of multi-family residential blocks, to procurement of village or prefabricated houses, and reconstruction of self-owned properties. Interventions will also include small scale infrastructure works in sub-standard settlements. In order to facilitate sustainability, the Programme will support implementation of complementary social inclusion measures, which will primarily focus on employment and economic empowerment of beneficiaries. The projects will be selected through open calls for proposals, which are transparent solicitation methods, respecting fairness and integrity.
Particularly targeted groups belong to the vulnerable and at-risk-of-poverty population, such as Roma, disadvantaged women, in particular women victims of domestic violence, youth in/leaving care, persons with disabilities, and others who live in inadequate housing conditions. The Programme will also benefit national institutions and local self-governments, as well as social inclusion service providers from the public and civil society sector.
In order to enhance capacities of the national health system to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and protracted health crisis, the European Union ensured additional funds to be used within the Programme to support Government’s urgent response through procurement of medical and non-medical equipment and items, provision of sanitary/food packages for Roma people living in informal settlements without basic sanitary conditions, provision of technical assistance to line national institutions to conduct COVID-19 related procurements, and support for engagement of medical teams.
The Programme, grounded in national and international frameworks, will contribute to meeting the European Union accession criteria under Chapters 19 that relates to social inclusion and Chapter 23 that covers fundamental rights, along with achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Officer for Infrastructure, the Officer for Infrastructure will be responsible for provision of support to the selected local self-governments in implementation and monitoring of projects ensuring their progress in accordance with the Grant Agreement, liaising with the engaged stakeholders and providing technical assistance to the local self-governments (LSGs) in addressing social housing and infrastructure aspects.
The Officer for Infrastructure will undertake the following tasks/duties:
- Provide technical assistance and guidance to the selected grant beneficiaries in implementation of projects’ social housing and infrastructure activities
- Contribute to the implementation, monitoring and reporting of the Programme’s activities through regular communication and field visits to the Programme’s grant beneficiaries
- Contribute in preparation and announcement of Calls for Proposals including grant application and evaluation process
- Contribute in development of the Programme’s plans, monitoring and reporting on the progress of grant activities against the Logical Framework Matrix indicators and in preparing inputs for the Programme’s reports
- Contribute to identification and assessment of risks and issues and assist in implementation of mitigation measures in accordance with the Risk Management Strategy
- Maintain professional relationship with the Programme’s beneficiaries: local self-governments (LSGs), national and local institutions and civil society organisations, etc
- Contribute to identification and sharing of the Programme’s lessons learned and best practices
- Contribute to the Programme’s communication and visibility activities
- Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services
Required Selection Criteria
Education
- Bachelor degree in Architecture or Civil Engineering or related field is required
Work Experience
Minimum two years of professional experience in engineering is required
Experience with vulnerable groups and social housing projects is an asset
Experience in working with local self-governments and CSOs is an asset
Experience in supporting grant implementation is an asset
Language Skills
- Fluency in Serbian and English languages is required
Professional certification
- Valid engineering licence is required
Driving license
- Driving license and ability to travel independently is required
Core 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 & 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 behaviour. 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 the Republic of Serbia and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.
Contract type: Ongoing ICA
Contract level: Local ICA 8
Contract duration: Open-ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to satisfactory performance
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
Additional Considerations
- Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. - Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
- Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
- For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
- For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
- The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org
How to apply:
Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter to UNOPS via UNOPS Jobs.