UNDP in BIH implements a portfolio of projects that engage and support a wide range of stakeholders, including institutional partners and socio-economic actors, strengthening their capacities for pursuing relevant socio-economic reforms, strengthening social cohesion and implementing the SDG Framework in BIH. In this context, UNDP implements several initiatives through its Good Governance Sector, including the Joint project: A more Equitable Society: Promoting Social Cohesion and Diversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Dialogue for Future 3 – DFF3).

This project is supported by the UN’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) established by the UN Secretary General in October 2006, following a request from the General Assembly and the Security Council. With the primary goal of preventing relapse into violent conflict, the PBF provides fast, flexible, and relevant funding to UN entities, governments, regional organizations, multilateral banks, national multi-donor trust funds and civil society organizations. To date, PBF has allocated $1.67 billion to 65 recipient countries.

Following a request by the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in November 2022 the United Nations Secretary-General granted the country eligibility to access funding to support the social cohesion priorities of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Agreement and the EU 14 priorities (notably Key Priority 5).

The areas of focus of these funds are:

1. Improving trust within and between communities to advance the wellbeing and prosperity of all people and contribute to long-term stability.
2. Strengthening inter-community and inter-entity engagement for more responsive, inclusive, gender-sensitive and transparent delivery of services, notably in the areas of education, culture, and environment with the aim to bridge divisions.
3. Dealing with the past through truth-seeking, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence with a focus on the dignity and rights of survivors of wartime violations.

The DFF3 project is jointly implemented by UNDP (lead agency) in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). It aims to contribute to strengthening social cohesion, respect for diversity, understanding and trust, especially amongst young men and women in different communities, towards a more democratic and peaceful BIH. The proposed intervention supports progress towards reconciliation and strengthened positive relationships within and across communities, (i) by creating an enabling environment for inclusive dialogue and progressing dialogue on key issues of relevance to sustainable peace; (ii) through the facilitation / provision of quality and inclusive education, as well as education of non-violence and peace, and (iii) through the promotion of cultural diversity and pluralism. More concretely, UNDP, UNESCO, and UNICEF collaborate with government institutions to support young women and men in their initiatives relevant for community development within the priority areas of education, culture and environment. In this way, the project will foster dialogue, promote civic engagement, and empower institutions and authorities for inter- and cross-community collaboration. It will encourage socially responsible initiatives and promote positive narratives. Also, by connecting different communities through the proposed activities, the project will promote a shared understanding of culture and strengthen a sense of common heritage and environment, mobilize civic initiatives around topics of joint interest in the areas of environmental protection, education, and culture, as well as promote intercultural dialogue for peaceful inter-community relations.

Dialogue for Future 3 – DFF3 will be implemented in 10 selected local governments (LGs) ca. while at the same time focusing on certain activities that are country-and have a strong cross-entity and cross-community engagement. Activities will be implemented in both entities (Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska) and Brčko District aiming at establishing linkages between communities by creating opportunities to work together on specific topics within the areas of education, culture and environment. Young men and women are the primary beneficiaries of the project targeted through capacity building activities, dialogue and implementation of the grant scheme within the thematic areas in selected locations. They will be reached through different channels from local government institutions, schools, youth NGOs, cultural institutions, social media as well as through small grants initiatives also targeting youth, women, and vulnerable groups. The project will also foster the capacity building and networking of CSOs and partner institutions including educational (ministries of educations, academia, schools, etc.) and cultural institutions (museums, etc.) as implementing partners.

Funded by the PBF in the amount of USD 3.5M the Project will be implemented over 36 months (from January 2024 until December 2026) in close cooperation and coordination with relevant institutional partners and other actors.

• Supports the processes including compiling background information necessary for the formulation and implementation of the Joint Project plans and activities,
• Supports coordination to ensure coherence between different project activities, in cooperation with UNESCO, UNICEF, donor, institutional partners and other stakeholders,
• Assists in preparation of legal documents such as contracts, memorandums and other type of agreements with government, donors and/or other relevant partners in line with UNDP and PBF rules and regulations,
• Maintains timetables for the Steering Committee, and other important meetings and provide support to organizing and holding the meetings, including preparation and dissemination of information, meeting minutes and follow-up activities,
• Organizes travel and other logistics arrangements for the Project Team in line with the project’s work plan,
• Supports recruitment activities, including assistance in preparation of job descriptions, vacancy announcements, requests for recruitments, interview minutes and requests for contract,
• Assists in monitoring quality of deliverables provided by consultants and/or contracted companies, beneficiaries, etc.,
• Provides support in organization of internal and/or external evaluations, audits, or results-oriented monitoring missions of the Joint Project conducted either by UNDP, other partner UN agencies, donors or a third party,
• Participates in organization of conferences, missions and other high-level meetings and events for the Project,
• Collects, analyses and presents information for monitoring and evaluation of project implementation against project targets.

Support to financial monitoring and management 

• Processes financial transactions, requisitions, contracts/POs in Quantum,
• Creates and coordinates negotiations in Quantum,
• Compiles background information for formulation of annual/quarterly budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements, and drafts of quarterly project reports,
• Prepares financial and draft narrative reports to donors based on other UN agencies inputs as per reporting schedule and on ad hoc basis,
• Regularly monitors expenditures and commitments against the joint programme budget and relevant plans, and provides information to support Project implementation and planning and recommend corrective actions, when necessary,
• Drafts various correspondence concerning finance, operations and budgetary issues as required.

Facilitation of knowledge sharing within the Project

• Participates in and facilitates trainings for team members on Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) as well as on UNDP procedures,
• Supports the Project Coordinator in dissemination and sharing relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally,
• Contributes to relevant knowledge networks and practice sharing activities,
• Sound contribution to knowledge networks and communities of practice,
• Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in projects.

Business Process Quality Assurance

• Facilitate business processes followed by the Project in line with the UNDP regulations and rules, policies and the UNDP internal control framework as well as Joint Project and PBF rules and regulations,
• Compilation and design of background information for formulation of project work plans, draft annual/quarterly budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements, and drafts of quarterly project financial reports.

Support to effective mainstreaming of gender equality

• Supports the Joint Project Coordinator in mainstreaming gender equality in the Project implementation,
• Supports the Joint Project Coordinator in preparing gender equality background materials for use in discussion, correspondence and briefing sessions,
• Ensures that all the data, when collecting and compiling inputs relating to programme, are gender disaggregated.

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