Project Management Support - Senior Officer for Infrastructure

Job Description

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and in close coordination with the Project Manager, Senior Officer for Infrastructure will be responsible for the delivery of outputs related to improvement of living conditions of the most vulnerable families from the local communities, including construction of social housing apartments, purchasing of individual housing units, reconstruction of self-owned properties and/or conduct of the small scale infrastructure works, using grants methodology.

The Senior Officer for Infrastructure will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish and cultivate working relationship with the relevant ministries and governmental bodies, local self-governments (LSGs), public and civil service providers and other key stakeholders
• Ensure that the key stakeholders are aware of the Project activities, progress and results
• Ensure that the key stakeholders are consulted about the grant scheme and that their specific needs are considered in full compliance with the Project’s objectives and results
• Maintain regular communication with the Project beneficiaries to ensure that their feedback has been addressed in delivering the envisaged outputs
• Develop different reports used to inform donor and the key stakeholders of SHAI Project interventions related to the infrastructure activities
• Ensure the Project Manager, Head of Programme and relevant UNOPS RSPO personnel are informed about key developments
• Contribute to the Project’s communication and visibility activities

Delivery and Performance:

• Lead and manage the Project’s infrastructure activities and ensure timely and quality delivery of the outputs related to provision of different housing solutions to the most vulnerable beneficiaries
• Ensure efficient and effective provision of technical assistance to LSGs in development and implementation of projects’ proposals within the infrastructure activities, ensuring that outputs are delivered on time, within the set cost and quality targets
• Organise efficient monitoring of projects and grants supported through the infrastructure activities including monitoring of financial resources to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports
• Provide subject matter support on engineering issues, with particular attention on coordinating activities with other results
• Provide timely and punctual information to the Project team about milestones as well as about relevant external news
• Capture good practices and lessons learned, particularly related to areas of infrastructure
• Prepare Terms of Reference for engagement of consultants/companies needed for the minor infrastructure interventions, monitor and evaluate their performance
• Ensure good governance concept, principles and practices are incorporated into the activities where applicable, in accordance to the Project objectives and methodology

Procedures:

• With support from the Project Manager and in consultations with the Head of Programme, contribute to respect of project management requirements
• With support from the Project Manager, the Head of Support Services and Procurement Officer, ensure respect of UNOPS grant methodology and procurement procedures where applicable
• In cooperation with the Project Manager and with support from the Head of Support Services and the Finance Officer, ensure efficient and effective management of the budget and that all infrastructure related expenditures comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR)
• Contribute to development, update and implementation of the Project’s plans and ensure delivery in accordance with approved Work, Procurement and Financial plans for the infrastructure related grants and/or activities
• Contribute to identification and assessment of risks related to the infrastructure grants and implement mitigation measures in accordance with the Project’s Risk Management Strategy
• Provide timely, accurate and high quality inputs to Project’s reports
• Provide accurate and quality inputs needed for monitoring of the Project’s performance, outputs and benefits as required by the Project Manager
• Ensure respect of UNOPS and Project’s configuration management requirements

Knowledge Management:

• Participate in the UNOPS Communities of Practice
• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies
• Contribute to the identification and sharing of the Project’s lessons learned and best practices as per reporting format
• Liaise with Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) and other relevant UNOPS groups

Personnel Management:

• Supervise, closely monitor and assess the performance of external consultants
• Lead and motivate the personnel under supervision and ensure they respect professional standards of conduct
• Ensure good quality conduct of full performance evaluation cycle, completion of mandatory courses and encourage personnel continuous learning and development

Required Selection Criteria

Education

• Advanced University Degree preferably in Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering or relevant field is required. Bachelor’s degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree

Work Experience

• Minimum two years of relevant work in management of infrastructure and/or urban planning projects is required
• Experience in work with Local Self-Governments in Serbia on development/managing the strategic and/or urban planning documents and managing complex infrastructure/urban-planning projects is an asset
• Experience with international organisations is highly desirable
• Experience in coordination and supervision of consultants is an asset

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Serbian and English is required

Certification

• Professional certification in engineering/infrastructure/urban planning fields would be an asset

Driving license

• Driving license and ability to travel independently is required

Core Competencies

• Strategic Perspective - Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. (for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

• Integrity & Inclusion - Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

• Leading Self and Others - Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

• Partnering - Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

• Results Orientation - Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

• Agility - Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behaviour. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

• Solution Focused - Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

• Effective Communication - Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A CV AND COVER LETTER ALONG WITH THEIR APPLICATION

Contract type, level and duration

This is a local position, it is therefore open to nationals of the Republic of Serbia and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.

Contract type: Ongoing ICA
Contract level: Local ICA 9
Contract duration: Open-ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to satisfactory performance

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 Considerations

• 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
• 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.

For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org

About the Organization

The United Nations Office for Project Services (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.

UNOPS has been active in Serbia since 2000, and the operations of UNOPS Serbia Project Office (RSPO) have since 2017 expanded to North Macedonia and Montenegro.

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

Currently, the RSPO is implementing 12 projects focussed on sustainable socio-economic development, social cohesion, creating environment for employability, business and infrastructure growth, increased security, improved education, enhanced social inclusion either via enabling durable housing solutions or providing access to health, education and jobs for the most vulnerable population. All projects have good governance and gender equality as transversal themes. UNOPS projects are contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals framework and objectives.

Project background

The European Union Support to Social Housing and Active Inclusion Programme (SHAI) is designed to enhance implementation of social inclusion policies in Serbia and provide sustainable housing solutions accompanied with active inclusion measures for the most vulnerable population. The European Union (EU) has allocated 20 million Euros through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) 2018 for the 36 month-long implementation of the Programme, and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been selected as the implementing partner. National partners and the Programme beneficiaries are the Ministry for Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs and the Ministry of European Integration.

The Programme will strengthen capacities at the national and local level for identification, programming, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of sustainable social housing programmes and projects. It will also provide a range of housing solutions for vulnerable beneficiaries, ranging from construction of multi-family residential blocks, to procurement of village or prefabricated houses, and reconstruction of self-owned properties. Interventions will also include small scale infrastructure works in sub-standard settlements. In order to facilitate sustainability, the Programme will support implementation of complementary social inclusion measures, which will primarily focus on employment and economic empowerment of beneficiaries. The projects will be selected through open calls for proposals, which are transparent solicitation methods, respecting fairness and integrity.

Particularly targeted groups belong to the vulnerable and at-risk-of-poverty population, such as Roma, disadvantaged women, in particular women victims of domestic violence, youth in/leaving care, persons with disabilities, and others who live in inadequate housing conditions. The Programme will also benefit national institutions and local self-governments, as well as social inclusion service providers from the public and civil society sector.

The Programme, grounded in national and international frameworks, will contribute to meeting the European Union accession criteria under Chapters 19 that relates to social inclusion and Chapter 23 that covers fundamental rights, along with achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.