Project Management – Senior Assistant for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Business Support Organisations

The European Union Support to Municipal Development – EU PRO Programme (1) will contribute to a more balanced socio-economic development of Serbia, by enhancing competitiveness and social cohesion of 99 municipalities, in two regions: Šumadija and Western Serbia and South and Eastern Serbia.(2) The European Union (EU) has allocated 25 million Euros for the implementation of the Programme during 36 months. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) was selected for indirect management, through a Call for Expression of Interest.(3)

There are three results that the Programme will achieve:

• Result 1: Improved technological structure of SMEs and their ability to export
• Result 2: Improved conditions for business operations through more efficient administrative service provision, better land management and specific infrastructure investments
• Result 3: Better social cohesion and attractive living environment through improvement of small scale public infrastructure and social relations.

The direct beneficiaries of the EU PRO are local administration structures, local SMEs, civil society organisations (CSOs) and business support organisations (BSOs). The final beneficiaries are the inhabitants of 99 municipalities.

The EU PRO Programme is based on the National Priorities for International Assistance in the Republic of Serbia 2014-2017, with projections until 2020 (NAD) (4) significant for Serbia’s EU accession process and socio-economic development. Its activities will be undertaken in partnership with the Government of Serbia, while respecting the national strategies, laws and relevant development documents, in order to ensure national ownership and help develop national capacities.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Management Senior Officer for SMEs and BSOs, the Senior Assistant will provide assistance in implementation of activities within the Sector for SMEs and BSOs. He or she will work closely with Sector Associates in order to contribute to efficient and effective monitoring of implementation of projects within this Sector, to support provision of assistance to SMEs and BSOs in the Programme Area of Responsibility (AoR) aiming at improved technological structure of SMEs and their ability to increase their market share.

The Senior Assistant will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

• Maintain relationship with the Sector beneficiaries
• Provide assistance  in development of reports on Sector activities
• Provide assistance in organisation of functions to present the Programme’s support to SMEs and BSOs
• With guidelines from the Senior Officer for SMEs and BSOs, and in coordination with the Sector Associates, closely monitor implementation of projects related to SMEs and BSOs
• Conduct field visits to Sector beneficiaries in the AoR assigned by the Senior Officer for SMEs and BSOs
• Liaise with the support services team to support successful implementation of grant agreements by maintaining regular communication between the programme and support services units in order to ensure timely exchange of information on the status of provision of services, procurements and grant agreements
• With guidelines from the Senior Officer for SMEs and BSOs, and in coordination with the Sector Associates, provide basic technical assistance to the Sector beneficiaries in implementation of projects
• Provide assistance in collection, preparation, and archiving of documentation related to processing of Sector related financial transactions
• Establish activity progress tracking sheets and regularly update with inputs provided by beneficiaries and services providers
• Maintain archive related to SME and BSE activities, as per agreement with the Senior Officer for SMEs and BSOs and in line with the UNOPS/EU PRO requirements
• Report on the key local developments that are relevant for the Sector
• With the guidance of the Senior Officer for SMEs and BSOs, liaise with retainers and service providers to support implementation of the Sector activities including gathering data on their engagement, collecting and storing their reports, communicating directly with retainers in relation to administrative and procedural issues
• Contribute to identification and assessment of risks and assist in implementation of mitigation measures in accordance with the Risk Management Strategy
• Support organization of trainings, information sessions, and other events related to promotion of the CFPs for SMEs and capacity building of potential beneficiaries to adequately respond to the Calls
• Assist in drafting reports as envisaged by the Programme Document
• Assist in development of the Programme’s plans
• Assist in monitoring and reporting on the progress of activities against the Logical Framework Matrix indicators
• Contribute to identification and sharing of Programme’s lessons learned and best practices
• Contribute to efficient and effective use of EU PRO and UNOPS tools for monitoring of Programme’s performance, outputs and benefits
• Contribute to the successful administrative and financial closure of activities within the Sector for SMEs and BSOs
• Provide support to Programme’s communication and visibility activities
• Review documentation related to implementation of SMEs and BSOs grants and propose revisions, approvals of the next phases of implementation.
• Monitor and report on Corporate Social Responsibility activities implemented by grant beneficiaries, SMEs and BSOs.
• Provide feedback and support to grant beneficiaries, SMEs and BSOs regarding preparation and filing grant related documents.  
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

• Secondary education is required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferably in economics, social sciences, engineering or development studies is an asset

Work Experience

• Five years of experience in project support functions in Serbia is required. Bachelor’s degree may substitute for some years of experience.
• Familiarity with Serbian business environment is an asset
• Direct experience in assisting implementation of grant schemes is an asset

Language Requirements

•  Fluency in Serbian and English is required

Driving License

• Driving license and ability to travel independently is required

• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.

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.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

In Serbia, UNOPS has been active since 2000, became the Project Centre (RSPC) in 2012, and was reclassified, due a growing portfolio, to Operations Centre (RSOC) at the beginning of 2017. Since 2017, RSOC operations have expanded to North Macedonia, Georgia and Montenegro.

UNOPS has been a reliable partner primarily of the Government of Serbia, and later of the Governments of North Macedonia, Georgia and Montenegro, in providing support for demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union.