Project Analyst (NPSA-8, 80% part-time) [Open to all applicants]

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

The programme "Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment in Medium-Sized Municipalities in Serbia VI” is envisaged as a programme focusing on the improvement of the quality of receiving water bodies in Serbia and the enhancement of living conditions of the population in selected medium-sized Serbian municipalities/towns (> 30.000 inhabitants), through investments in wastewater infrastructure. The overarching objective of the programme is to ensure environmentally sound and hygienically safe discharge, collection and treatment of wastewater at affordable prices in selected Serbian municipalities. The programme will also make a substantial contribution to the implementation of the EU Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, thereby supporting Serbia's aspiration to join the EU. The planned investment measures include the rehabilitation/extension of existing wastewater treatment plants for complying with EU standards, construction of new wastewater treatment plants, rehabilitation/replacement of collectors, construction/extension of wastewater transmission mains and further investments in the sewage system. In addition to investments, the programme will also finance activities for institutional strengthening of Public Utility Companies in the selected municipalities to improve their operational capacities and increase the quality level of their service as well as to plan and implement the necessary investments in the wastewater infrastructure.

Taking into account the large number of participating Municipalities (6) as well as the comprehensiveness and volume of both preparatory tasks as well as the subsequent physical investments, the existing capacities in the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure (Programme Implementation Unit – PIU) will be improved through this proposed Project in order to ensure the proper assumption of the role of overall coordination and monitoring of all programme activities. In that sense it was jointly decided that the human resource capacities in the Sector for Communal activities, Housing and Architectural Policy, Energy efficiency аnd Construction Materials of the PIU will be strengthened through engagement of qualified experts simultaneously with the initiation of the overall programme. 

This Project aims to provide experts with relevant qualifications and experience, through a cooperation scheme between KfW, UNDP and MCTI. The necessary experts engaged through UNDP in consultation with the MCTI will join the existing team in the Sector for Communal activities and will perform tasks and duties mainly related to the preparation and implementation of investment programmes in the water and wastewater sector, and other tasks as requested by Sector for Communal activities management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Specialist (Engineer), the Project Analyst has the responsibility to support the coordination of project activities related to the preparation, implementation, monitoring and reporting on infrastructure components.. The Project Analyst should provide provide project coordination support to ensure that the projects produce the results specified in the Project Documents, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Provide Support for Project Implementation:

• Be responsible for generating quality results and output from the project activities through providing high quality project implementation and management inputs to Project Specialist and relevant project partners;
• Ensure regular support, follow-up and monitoring of the planning, development and implementation of project activities with special consideration of poor, marginalized and disadvantaged groups and gender issues;
• Manage, mentor and coordinate with project partners and beneficiaries to enable them to ensure successful accomplishment of project targeted activities, trainings, events and overall performance;
• Provide support to the expert teams and beneficiaries so that deliverables are made, ensuring value for money, required staff are recruited following appropriate rules and policies;
• Ensuring full compliance with activities established project management rules, regulations, and policies.

Support Coordination and Stakeholder Communication:

• Liaising with contractors, municipalities, and other partners on project matters;
• Regular liaison with project partners and other government institutions in relation to providing substantial support to the organizing of training and workshops;
• Maintain communication with stakeholders within the Government of Serbia responsible for tasks pertaining to the project’s scope of work.

Support Monitoring, Reporting, provide Administrative Support:

• Prepare the project progress reports with the coordination of monitoring component of the project;
• Collection, analysis, and presentation of background information for the preparation of project annual work plans and progress reports;
• Providing inputs for the creation of the project monitoring and evaluation framework;
• Drafting correspondence on project related issues for the Project Specialist, as required.

Support knowledge building, knowledge sharing:

• Make sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Support compiling and systematizing project knowledge, products, and tools as well as their wide distribution to partners.

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

Institutional Arrangement

Project Analyst will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Specialist (Engineer) and in cooperation with the National Project Director (NDP) and the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure.

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 and Technical Competencies:

• Business Direction and 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 managers 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. 
• 2030 Agenda: People - Gender          
  • Communication and Advocacy for Gender Equality

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Political Science or other relevant fields is required, or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. 

Experience:

• Applicants with master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. 
• Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in project coordination and/or implementation, preferably in the field of local development. 

Desired skills:

• Experience 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;
• Experience in providing support to the coordination and/or implementation of large-scale investment development projects;
• Experience in the implementation of donor-funded projects (e.g. KfW, EIB, and other international financing institutions);
• Experience in project planning, monitoring, and/or reporting;
• Work experience with international organizations and/or government institutions Experience in working in the relevant areas (environment and climate change, sustainable and resilience development, energy).

Languages:

• Fluency in Serbian and English is required.

Important Information

The online application form must be fully completed. Applicants are required to carefully complete their online application form and reflect all of their work experience history in the application.

Only attaching a CV is not sufficient for applicants to be considered for positions. All applicants have to complete the Experience, Education, Language, and Nationality & Permanent Residence fields fully.

Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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