Background

UNDP supports countries to tackle complex development challenges and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through SDG integration. In the context of its country programme for Serbia for 2021-2025, the UNDP Country Office (CO) in Serbia, through the SDG Integration (SDGi) Center is scaling up its support for the SDG agenda in Serbia through integrated policy and programming as well as innovation and learning. The SDG Integration Center, established in January 2019, highlights the new #NextGenUNDP approach to tackle complex development challenges and accelerate Serbia’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals by implementing integrated solutions. The Center works on cross-cutting initiatives covering a broad thematic area and it is devoted to strengthening old and acquiring new partnerships – from working with the central government institutions to private sector entities and civil society, academia, and media.

The SDG Integration Center is seeking to expand its work and is reorganizing its operations by expanding on horizontal roles and functions. The present post will support the administration and logistics around event organization within SDGi Center projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide day-to-day support for project implementation:

• Actively participate in the realization of project supported initiatives set by the SDG Integration Center in conceptualizing and implementing activities;
• Collect, analyse and present the background information for preparation of annual work plans and progress reports;
• Assist in procurement, logistics, travel, financial and other operational matters;
• Identify and collect policy-related and other relevant information, documents and data, compile and analyse data for further use in project management;
• Support organization and coordination of meetings, training sessions, workshops, conferences and project events and prepare reports, as required;
• Provide substantive support in drafting various documents, updates, talking points, presentations, reports and relevant communication materials;
• Preparing briefing materials, agendas for the meetings, providing requested inputs/background information relevant for discussions with stakeholders, keeping track of participants and registration lists, keeping minutes of each meeting detailing participation, main points discussed and conclusions reached.

Provide day-to-day support for project administration:

• Draft correspondence on project issues, as required;
• Support the day-to-day implementation of project activities;
• Cover administrative project related tasks such as extracting, inputting, copying, scanning, faxing, mailing, photocopying, translating and filling data from various sources;
• Establish and maintain project filing system, incoming and outgoing correspondence and maintain calendar of events;

Provide support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing:

• Codify and share knowledge by capturing best practices, lessons learned and client’s feedback;
• Support activities related to assessing capacities and needs of government organizations and partners, in close collaboration with national counterparts, at both central and local level;
• Facilitate team’s learning and knowledge sharing;
• Perform other duties as required.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Assistant will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Programme Analyst – SDG Integration Center.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1:  Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional and Technical Competencies:

• External Relations & Advocacy/Partnership Management – Event planning and execution 
  • Ability to plan, manage and execute of public and private events to ensure that they support and amplify individual communications and advocacy initiatives, as well as UNDP’s overall brand and mandate.
• External Relations & Advocacy/Partnership Management – Relationship management
  • Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary Education.
• Bachelor’s Degree in social or natural sciences would be desirable but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• 4 years of relevant professional experience in project or office support functions, preferably in governmental or in international/multilateral development context.
• Alternatively, if in possession of Bachelor’s Degree, 1 year of relevant work experience will be required.

Required skills:

• Strong oral and written communication skills in Serbian and English language;
• Good organizational and time management skills;
• Excellent writing/reporting and presentation skills;
• Excellent interpersonal, networking and team building skills;
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards;
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Treats all people fairly without prejudice;
• Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Desired skills:

• Experience in implementing projects that included extensive communication, data collection, coordination and facilitation requirements, analytics and logistics;
• Previous experience in providing assistance in organizing the events (e.g. handling correspondence between different stakeholders, managing day-to-day activities related to event organization, etc.).

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and English.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.