Private Sector Specialist

About Us:

UNDP works in some 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop institutional capabilities, policies, leadership skills and partnering abilities, as well as the resilience needed to sustain development results.

The 65 members of our Country Office team in Skopje currently manage a large portfolio of projects related to environmental protection, good governance and social inclusion.

We are currently seeking an experienced Private Sector Specialist to work on a new four-year project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation aimed at improving the employability of the most vulnerable groups in society, including youth, people with disabilities and Roma.

You:

You have extensive knowledge of the business climate in the country and previous professional experience in managing partnerships with the private sector and social enterprises.

You are also well familiar with the start-up community and skills development programmes. You are eager to bring in innovative approaches and apply new technologies. Your knowledge of social investment initiatives in the region and beyond will be considered as an asset.

You will need to be a graduate in business administration, economics or similar field, preferably with a Master’s qualification.

You will need to be curious, enthusiastic, and a natural strategic thinker.

You will need to be digitally savvy and keen to be part of a large global organization exhibiting United Nations values.

You will be directly reporting to the Project Manager who will lead the project and will closely work on a daily basis with the other engaged specialists.

The project

This is a new four-year project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in the amount of USD 5,1 million.

The main objective of the project is to generate innovative policy and programming solutions to help Roma and persons with disabilities to access the labour market while promoting services for broader social inclusion.

The project will provide creative solutions and new approaches to address the problem of youth unemployment. It will focus on measures to achieve the economic reintegration of long-term unemployed but will also tackle institutional and non-formal barriers and drivers of exclusion. The project will also be working closely with the private sector to develop tailored vocational curricula and on-the job training opportunities to leave no one behind.

 

Summary of key duties and responsibilities

• Providing expertise on private sector development relevant for all projects in UNDP’s Social Inclusion unit.
• Coordination, monitoring, evaluation and reporting on private sector activities which are mainstreamed in all Project components, aiming to help employ youth, Roma and people with disabilities.
• Mapping and building new partnerships with all stakeholders actively working with Roma, people with disabilities and youth.
• Working on establishing effective cooperation with the private sector and social enterprises to identify job opportunities, soft skills and vocational trainings, internships and job placements.
• Supporting employment centers in establishing a better connection with private sector entities in their respective regions, by building a model and a network of external experts for capacity building programme for employees.
• Working together with and providing guidance to private companies and NGOs in defining their workforce and training demand.
• Establishing and maintaining regular information exchange and close cooperation with all partners and stakeholders including the Employment Centers, private companies, Chambers of Commerce, industry associations, municipalities, NGOs and others.
• Organizing events, including trainings and workshops.

The implementation of the above-mentioned duties will expect also occasional travel within the country.

 

Corporate Competencies

• Integrity: Demonstrates commitment to UNDP's mission, vision and values.
• Respect for diversity: Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Leadership

• Takes initiative
• Identifies opportunities and challenges and recommends options
• Checks assumptions against facts
• Assumes responsibility for decisions and outcomes

Innovation

• Analyzes complex technical materials (including data) and makes concise, relevant    recommendations
• Contributes reliable production of knowledge services and transactions
• Identifies and addresses potential challenges quickly and develop action plans
• Sees specific opportunities for immediate improvement within own field

Communication

• Listens to develop awareness of client needs
• Respects differences of opinion
• Finds common ground to solve problems
• Gains trust of peers, partners, clients
• Presents complex, conceptual ideas in practical terms to others

Delivery

• Meets goals and timelines for delivery of products or services
• Embraces expanded responsibilities and challenges self to excel
• Takes responsibility for addressing critical situations
• Demonstrates commitment to clients and quality
• Works to agreed goals dealing with challenges constructively
• Takes responsibility for project implementation and/or team deliverables

Technical Competencies

• Knowledge of the business climate in the country and previous professional experience in managing partnerships with the private sector and social enterprises and/or facilitating employment and/or human resource management in general
• Knowledge of the start-up community and skills development programmes
• Knowledge of social investment initiatives in the region is desirable
• Experience in work with target groups like youth, Roma and people with disabilities or other vulnerable persons as well as relevant institutions on active labor market is desirable
• Strong research, analytical, reporting and writing abilities
• Excellent computer literacy (MS Office; Windows, Internet)
• Driving license B-category
   

Academic qualifications:

• A university degree in Business Administration or Economics or another relevant field. MA will be considered an asset.

Experience:  

• At least 4 years of cumulative professional experience with the private sector in commercial and/or economic development areas.
• Professional experience with the private sector in enhancing employability and/or facilitating employment and/or human resource management in general.
• Experience in employability and/or facilitating employment of one of the target groups like youth, Roma and people with disabilities or other vulnerable persons will be considered as strong asset;
• Experience in collaborating with national and local institutions, chambers of commerce and industry associations and experience in implementing active labour market measures will be considered as an asset.  

Language Requirements:

• Language proficiency in both written and oral Macedonian and English. Knowledge of other local languages shall be considered an asset.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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