Job categories: Project Management

Vacancy code: VA/2024/B5109/29142

Level: ICS-10

Department/office: ECR, RSMCO, Serbia

Duty station: Home based

Contract type: International ICA

Contract level: IICA-2

Duration: Up to 40 working days, during a period of one year

Application period: 28-Oct-2024 to 11-Nov-2024

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.
Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

Background Information – Job-specific

The Project “Support to European Integration of North Macedonia” is designed to support North Macedonia’s accession negotiations and successful management of the overall European Union (EU) integration process. The Project is funded by the Swiss Government through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

This Project is part of a larger intervention supporting the EU accession process of North Macedonia, together with the complementary activities funded by Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) which was launched on 1 September 2023, and by the Secretariat for European Affairs, launched on 1 January 2024. It will also build on the momentum generated by the predecessor, “Nordic Support for Progress in North Macedonia” (the Predecessor Project) implemented by UNOPS, which was co-funded by Sida and Norway, and as confirmed by the Final Evaluation, effectively supported the EU integration process.

Within this context, while building on the momentum created by the predecessor, the Project will enhance the institutional, technical, and administrative capacity of the Government to conduct EU accession and will contribute to enhanced communication of the EU accession negotiation process to the public. The overall objective will be achieved through the delivery of two coherent Results.

Specifically, Result 1 will strengthen capacities of national institutions supporting the EU accession through provision of TA and capacity building to the Government Coordination Mechanism for Accession Negotiation. Support will facilitate effective alignment of national legislation with the EU acquis and its implementation, while at the same time facilitating engagement and contributions form relevant stakeholders, and exchange of experiences and cooperation with the EU Member States and countries from the region.

Functional Responsibilities

Within the duration of the assignment, the Capacity Building Specialist is expected to provide support to SEA and Ministry of agriculture, forestry and water economy (MAFWE) in the preparation of the National Strategic Plan for the development of sustainable aquaculture in line with EU standards.
In particular, the Specialist will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

Conduct analytical review of the relevant documents related to national fisheries and aquaculture policy and strategy documents.
Write an initial report to develop methodology, work plan with work timelines.
Provide expert advice to MAFWE on preparation of the draft version of the National Strategic Plan for the development of sustainable Aquaculture and its action plan.
Support MAFWE in presenting the draft version of the National Strategic Plan for the development of sustainable Aquaculture at the validation workshop.
Provide expert advice to MAFWE for finalising the National Strategic Plan for the development of sustainable Aquaculture and its implementation action plan taking into account the observations and recommendations of the validation workshop.
Design, develop and deliver capacity building workshops and training sessions tailored to the specific needs of MAFWE and other institutions in charge for the implementation and monitoring of the strategic document.
Design, develop and deliver capacity building workshops and training sessions to implement and manage the EU pre-accession funds (IPA) or ultimately structural programmes and funds available through the European Fisheries Fund.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education
Advanced university degree preferably in fisheries studies, development studies or other relevant fields is required.
University degree (Bachelor’s degree / first level) with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience
Minimum five years of experience in fisheries and aquaculture management with focus on fisheries policy analysis is required.
Minimum three years of international experience in capacity building activities in the area of EU funding is required.
Previous experience in the area of fisheries and aquaculture in any EU Member State is strongly desirable.

Language Requirements

Fluency in English (speaking, reading and writing) is required
ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT COVER LETTER ALONG WITH THEIR APPLICATION.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) – retainer*
Contract level: IICA 2 (ICS 10)
Contract duration: Up to 40 working days during a period of one year

*If the selected candidate is based in a duty station where there is a national scale, s/he may be offered the local equivalent position.

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 Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background information – UNOPS Serbia
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an independent United Nations (UN) organisation since 1995 (Resolution 48/501, 1994), which succeeded two decades of its operations as a part of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 1974 when it was established.

The mission of UNOPS is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. As a part of the United Nations family, and as the only self-financed UN organisation, UNOPS is committed to UN values and private sector efficiency.

In Serbia, UNOPS has been active since 2000 and the organisation provides support in conducting demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union. The projects focus on sustainable local development, good governance, the rule of law, social cohesion, environment and emergency response. The projects are implemented with funding from the European Union (EU), the Governments of Switzerland, Sweden, Serbia, and the UN organisations.

UNOPS Serbia Multi-Country Office (RSMCO) also covers Montenegro and North Macedonia, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the need for support and potential engagements are being assessed. The work of UNOPS and the projects it implements is contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives of the countries of its operations.