Coordinator for UN’s Participation at EXPO 2027

Host entity: UNRCO

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Administration, Community development, Communication, advocacy, public information

Application deadline: 15/09/2026

Mission and objectives

Under the overall leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, the UN RCO in Serbia includes the following members: Head of the RCO/Team Leader/Strategic Planner, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Communications and Advocacy Officer, Partnership Officer, Senior Economist, Executive Associate, Administrative Assistant and Driver. The work of the RCO is supported occasionally by interns, UNVs and external consultants as needed. RCO in Serbia has also a Human Rights Unit with National Human Rights Adviser and several experts on human rights.

The UN system in Serbia operates under a national UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which is developed by the UN country team (UNCT), in consultation with its main stakeholders (government, communities, donors). The framework covers a 5-year period. It focuses primarily on development issues, with an element of disaster preparedness and conflict prevention. Emergencies interventions are implemented outside the framework. It is expected to support national priorities and is anchored in the principles and objectives of Agenda 2030 (17 SDGs and the Leave No One Behind overarching principle - LNOB). The UN in Serbia is entering the last year of the current framework. The current cooperation framework covers the period of 2021 to 2025 and it is in the final stage of preparations with the government.

Portfolios of UN agencies in Serbia vary and the current UNCT portfolio amounts to about USD 60 million per year. The UN is one out of several large-scale development actors in the country.
The development and reform context in Serbia is shaped by the EU accession agenda, as for all the other countries in Western Balkans. The global Agenda 2030 is closely related to the EU accession agenda, and the UN has long committed to support the EU agenda.

Assignment context

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Serbia brings together 19 UN entities working collectively, under the leadership of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, to support Serbia’s national development priorities and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) supports the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT in ensuring a coherent and coordinated UN approach and engagement with the Government and other national and international partners.

The UN’s work in Serbia is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2026-2030, aligned with national priorities, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Serbia’s EU accession process.

At the invitation of the Government of Serbia, the United Nations will participate in EXPO 2027 Belgrade, “Play for Humanity - Sport and Music for All”, to be held from 15 May to 15 August 2027. The UN Pavilion will provide a platform to showcase the values and collective work of the United Nations, promote the SDGs and multilateral cooperation, and engage national and international audiences around key global and development challenges. Through its exhibits, events and programming, the Pavilion will offer an engaging and interactive experience highlighting how the UN works to improve people’s lives, protect the planet and advance sustainable development.

The RCO is coordinating the UN system’s overall engagement in EXPO 2027, working closely with the UNCT and relevant UN entities, including the UN Department of Global Communications, national counterparts and EXPO 2027 organizers. A dedicated UN EXPO team will support the preparation and delivery of the UN Pavilion, covering programme coordination, technical and operational aspects, and communications. The UN Volunteer will work as part of this team, in close collaboration with the RCO focal points for EXPO 2027, the Technical Analyst - UN Pavilion Coordination and Partnerships, communications colleagues and participating UN entities.

The UNV will provide day-to-day coordination and programme support for the preparation and delivery of the UN Pavilion, including follow-up with UN entities and partners, coordination of inputs and activities, support to Pavilion programming and events, and tracking of agreed actions, timelines and deliverables. During EXPO 2027, the role will also support the smooth implementation of the Pavilion programme and its day-to-day activities.

Task description

Under the overall leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator and the supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office, the UN Volunteer will work in close coordination with the RCO focal points for EXPO 2027, the Technical Analyst - UN Pavilion Coordination and Partnerships, the UN EXPO Communications Officer and other members of the UN EXPO team, and will undertake the following tasks:
1. Support UN system coordination for EXPO 2027, including coordination and consolidation of inputs from participating UN entities related to the preparation and implementation of the UN Pavilion programme, activities, workplans and related budget inputs, in line with agreed priorities and timelines.
2. Support liaison and coordination with key EXPO counterparts, including the Expo Commissioner’s Office, EXPO d.o.o., relevant Government counterparts, and participating UN entities, working closely with the RCO focal points and other members of the UN EXPO team to ensure timely information-sharing and follow-up on agreed actions.
3. Coordinate and consolidate thematic and programme inputs from UN entities in Serbia for the UN Pavilion and related activities, working with agency focal points, the Technical Analyst, RCO colleagues and other relevant members of the UN EXPO team, as well as service providers, as appropriate.
4. Provide substantive and logistical support to the Resident Coordinator and RCO for participation in EXPO-related meetings, planning and coordination platforms, including preparation of briefing notes, talking points, background documents, presentations and other materials, as required.
5. Support coordination of EXPO-related communications, in close collaboration with the UN EXPO Communications Officer and RCO Communications Officer, including coordination of inputs and liaison, as appropriate, with UN global communications teams, the UN SDG Action Campaign, participating UN entities and other UN colleagues engaged in EXPO 2027.
6. Support the Technical Analyst – UN Pavilion Coordination and Partnerships, the UN EXPO Communications Officer, RCO focal points and other members of the UN EXPO team in the preparation and delivery of the UN Pavilion programme and related activities, including follow-up on timelines, agreed actions and deliverables.
7. Support the preparation of regular and ad hoc EXPO-related updates and reports, including collection and consolidation of inputs from relevant UN entities and partners.
8. Support the organization and implementation of EXPO-related meetings and activities, including preparation of agendas and meeting materials, coordination of participants, recording of action points and follow-up, as required.
9. Maintain EXPO-related documentation, contact lists and coordination records, including relevant contacts across Government, participating UN entities, civil society, the international community and other partners.
10. Support partnership mapping and engagement related to the UN’s participation in EXPO 2027, including identification and follow-up of potential partners and support to the organization of meetings and preparatory activities for relevant partnerships.

The success criteria will be assessed as follows:
1. UNCT inputs, including relevant programme and budget inputs for the UN Pavilion, are collected, consolidated and submitted according to agreed timelines.
2. Regular and effective liaison with the Expo Commissioner’s Office, EXPO d.o.o., participating UN entities and other relevant UN colleagues is maintained, supporting timely coordination, information-sharing and follow-up.
3. Coordination with UN entities and partners is timely and responsive, with feedback reflecting the added value of the support provided.
4. Briefing notes, talking points, background materials and other inputs for the Resident Coordinator and RCO are delivered on time and meet the required quality standards for high-level engagement.
5. Thematic and programme inputs from UN entities in Serbia are effectively consolidated and reflected in the UN Pavilion programme and related activities, in line with the 2030 Agenda and agreed UN priorities.
6. Communication and coordination with relevant global UN teams, including the UN SDG Action Campaign, is maintained consistently and relevant inputs are followed up in a timely manner.
7. EXPO-related activities and communications supported through the assignment contribute to the visibility of the UN’s work and its contribution to the 2030 Agenda, at national and international levels.

Skills and experience

• Demonstrated interest in sustainable development, the SDGs, and the work of the United Nations.
• Experience in project or programme support.
• Good organizational and coordination skills.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent drafting and reporting skills.
• Experience organizing meetings, workshops or events.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Experience working with government institutions, international organizations, NGOs or academia is desirable.
• Experience in communications, partnerships or programme coordination is an asset.
• Knowledge of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals is desirable.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Communication
• Creativity
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Building partnerships
• Commitment to results
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management
• Respect for diversity and inclusion

Living conditions

The UN Volunteer will be based in Belgrade, the capital of the Republic of Serbia. The urban area of Belgrade has a population of 1.23 million, while nearly 1.7 million people live within the administrative limits of the City of Belgrade. Belgrade has an extensive public transport system consisting of buses, trams, and trolleybuses, which is currently free of charge and widely used by residents. The city is well connected with the other parts of the country as well as with other European cities and capitals by busses, trains and airlines.

Owing to Belgrade’s central location, most of the other European cities are relatively close and reachable by usual modes of transport quickly and frequently. Belgrade itself became one of the prominent touristic destinations in Europe. Belgrade offers a unique sense of history, a rich vein of culture, and a variety of entertaining, cultural, sport and outdoor experiences. Social life in Belgrade is usually a pleasant experience and there is a range of activities available.

Belgrade real estate market is very vibrant, and it is not difficult to find safe and comfortable accommodation. Services in terms of banking, transportation, communications, etc. are well-developed and available. A significant number of people in Belgrade speaks English. English-speaking media are available, and restaurants and cafes have menus in English. For more details, please visit: http://www.serbia.com/ and https://www.beograd.rs/en/living-in-belgrade/

Benefits and allowances applicable to the duty station are available through the UVP calculator. Please see the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers for further information and details.

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.