Background
The Government of the Republic of Serbia continued to pursue the Public Administration Reform (PAR) agenda at an accelerated pace and worked towards improving accountability and further rationalising the use of public resources. In order to underpin fiscal consolidation and strengthen governance, the Government committed to implementing structural fiscal policy measures as part of Public Finance reform, aiming to increase fiscal transparency, introduce fiscal impact assessments of new legislative initiatives, strengthen cash management, internal control, and external audit and to raise the efficiency of revenue collection by further strengthening Tax and Customs administrations.ย
As a successor to the previous strategic framework in this area, the new Public Finance Management Reform Programme for the period 2021-2025 (PFM RP) was adopted by the Government on Serbia in late June 2021. It complements the Public Administration Reform Strategy 2021-2030 (PAR Strategy) of April 2021 and bases its premises on the conclusions of the recently conducted Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) , the SIGMAย Monitoring Report , the key recommendations of the 2021 EU Progress Report for Serbiaย and pillar specific requirements which derive from the EU accession process and set five key medium term reform prioritiesย which aim to contribute to ensuring effective financing of Government policies through a sound system of public internal financial management and control and a sustainable public debt.ย
The new PFM Reform Program relies to a great extent on the obligations that Serbia has assumed as part of EU accession negotiations under relevant chapters and even though Public Finance Management Reform is classified in the Fundamental cluster according to the new methodology for EU accession, it extends beyond encompassing several other horizontal issues which include macroeconomic stability, good governance, business environment and transparency. In that sense, it is an overarching framework which fundamentally integrates functional and EU accession requirements under chapters 5 โ Public Procurement, 16 โ Taxation, 22 โ Regional Policy and Structural Instruments, 17 โ Economic and Monetary Policy, 29 โ Customs Union, 32 โ Financial Control and 33 โ Financial and Budgetary Provisions. The obligations assumed as part of the accession negotiations as well as the closing benchmarks (where they have been defined to date) will navigate the implementation of the PFM RP and serve as the fundamental source for the verification of the results that are anticipated to be achieved.ย
The EU Public Financial Reform (PFM) Facility aims to provide effective technical support and assistance to the beneficiary institutions in Serbia in line with the draft IPA 2021 Action Document in key areas of Chapter 5 - Public Procurement, Chapter - 16 Taxation, Chapter - 29 Customs Union, and Chapter 32 - Financial Control of Serbiaโs EU accession negotiations with a focus on strengthening IT systems of Tax and Customs Administration and Public Internal Financial Control issues.ย
The overall objective of the PFM Facility Action is to enhance the efficiency of budget execution, public Finance Management and Public Internal Financial Control in line with EU standards and best practices. In order to achieve this objective, a set of focused activities will be defined during the inception phase and will be implemented under the following five outcomes:ย
Outcome 1 - Preconditions for effective exchange of information on Value Added Tax with EU members states met Outcome 2 - Operational and administrative capacities of Customs Administration strengthened and interoperability of the Serbian Customs IT system with the EU is ensured Outcome 3 - Public sector management and accountability are improved through strengthened Financial Management and Control systems and Internal Audit Outcome 4 - Efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of public procurement procedures in Serbia are enhanced Outcome 5 - Selected priority areas of public finance management reform supportedUNDP has been actively supporting Public Administration Reform and in particular, Public Finance Management Reform since 2000. The activities increased and intensified over the years as UNDPโs relationships with the institutions which were established after the first democratic elections in Serbia strengthened, coupled with the need to modernize public sector management, and ensure a fully functioning and accountable public finance management system based on the highest international standards, and since 2014, EU accession requirements.
The UNDP CO in Serbia has implemented a total of 37 technical assistance projects in the field of PFM reform from 2004 to date, with an overall budget of 23 million USD.ย
The EU PFM Facility is implemented by the UNDP Public Administration and Public Finance Portfolio of the Good Governance Cluster.
Considering the points mentioned above and the project document, the UNDP aims to recruit a Project Analyst to coordinate activities under the EU PFM Facility Project and to support the implementation of the other projects within this portfolio.ย
Duties and Responsibilities
The Project Analyst will be responsible for coordination of the activities under all outcomes on the EU PFM Facility project in order to ensure smooth implementation of the project. The Project Analyst will be engaged in managing and coordinating activities within other projects in the Public Administration and Public Finance Portfolio, ensuring that the projects produce results specified in the project documents, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. In addition, the Project Analyst will be responsible for financialย managementย support to implementation of all projectsโ activities.
The key responsibilities of the Project Analyst include:
Coordination and management of designated projects/projectย components in accordance with UNDP Program and Operations Policies and Procedures and UNDP Serbia Standard Operating Procedures:
Be responsible and accountable for the overall coordination, management and administration of the projects, and the timely and quality delivery of all projectsโ outputs; Develop and manage and coordinate with partners an overall projectsโ implementation strategy; Prepare Projects Work Plans and present them t to the National Project Director/Project Board for review/approval; Develop Monitoring and Evaluation Plan for tracking and evaluating progress against the agreed targets; Coordinate an exit strategy at least 6 months ahead of the project closure date; ensure closure of the project is done per the established procedures; Participate in recruitment and evaluation panels.Monitor progress and manage risks, ensuring that changes are controlled and problems addressed; Report on progress and issues:
Monitor project progress, financial resources, and accounting, ensuring timely updates to Project Boards on progress, issues, risks, and necessary actions; Manage event calendars, and regularly update the Quantum Project Management module, and organize Project Board meetings; Prepare, submit, and ensure timely donor reports that meet required standards; Support preparation for project reviews and evaluations and prepare final project reports and papers; Design Terms of Reference for the engagement of consultants and companies.Networking and support to resource mobilization
Maintain good cooperation and coordination between national counterparts, projectsโ partners, and other stakeholders;ย Maintain regular contacts with beneficiaries to ensure relevance and quality of projectsโ outputs; Establish record with contacts, pursue networking and information sharing and follow up on partnership related issues; Support the partnerships and advocacy activities agreed by the UNDP office in the area/sector covered by the project; Contribute to the development of pipeline initiatives primarily under the themes covered by the project.Communication, knowledge management and learning
Provide policy advice on issues within the scope of the projects; Regular exchange of information/experience with other projects, cross-learning and sharing results and good practices; Ensure the project has the required communication package; Participate in internal meetings; Participate in training events, communities of practice;ยProvide support to Portfolioย finance management:
Advisory support to the Portfolio Manager in the area of financial management. Support the portfolio delivery and perform the required Quantum processes;ย Managing portfolio data in Quantum including project creation, budget revisions and utilization of funds;ย Ensure that financial guidelines are followed; Support monitoring of project expenditures and reporting on the financial issues; Compile financial data and search information that could be relevant for project management; Prepare financial reports forย the donor and assist in quarterly budget planning and reporting.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
Theย Project Analystย will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the PFM Portfolio Manager.ย
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:ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. Adapt with Agility:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.ย Act with Determination: ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident. Engage and Partner:ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies
Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDPโs mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight. System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. Strategic engagement: ย Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives.ย Digital transformation design: Practical and strategic skills in digital transformation for governments and organizations.ย Ethical Implications of Policy Development: Consult on the ethical implications within all policy development and standard setting.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Masterโs degree in Finance, Economics, Law, Social Science or related field is required. OR; Bachelorยดs degree in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master`s degree.Experience:
Applicants with Masterโs degree ย in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.ย Applicants with a Bachelorโs degree ย are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in public finance and public policy.ยRequired Skills:
Experience in the field of national institution and civil service development, preferably in a multilateral development context;ย Experience in coordinating complex projects/processes that included extensive communication, coordination and facilitation requirements.Desired Skills:
Experience in project implementation with emphasis on both programme and finance; Experience of effective partnership development with national counterparts, development partners and relevant stakeholders; Experience in coordination or management of large-scale PAR projects in PAR or PFM area; Prior work experience in the UN system; Good organizational and time management skills; Good application of Results-Based Management; Good communication, coordination and facilitation skills; Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of portfolio work; Establishes lasting relationships and substantive dialogue with clients; Treats all people fairly without favoritism; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Demonstrates integrity by modeling.Required Languages:
Fluency in Serbian and English is required.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.ย
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.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย 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.
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