Background
The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the further improvement of the capacities of the Ministry of Finance for the efficient coordination and management of economic reforms and accession negotiations as well as for fulfilling the economic and political criteria for EU membership. The present proposal complements the Support to strengthening technical capacity and institutional development of the Ministry of Finance and coordination in the field of economic governance โ Amendment 7. It foresees the provision of additional support for the implementation of the activities in the previous amendment.
Ministry of Finance (MoF) adopted unique methodology - system for managing both planning and implementation of capital projects. On the basis of the unique Methodology, in 2019 the Government of the Republic of Serbia (GoS) adopted a new Public Investment Management (PIM) Decree that came into force as of January 2020 and applied it to all capital projects regardless of funding source. New PIM system is aimed at strengthening the existing quality controls of capital projects, both at the planning and execution stages, institutionalized quality control points and installed new โgate-keepingโ mechanisms, such as investment pre-selection, resolution of dormant projects and ex-post evaluation.ย
New system is built to ensure the development of a single mechanism for all investments, regardless of the source of financing, in order to ensure a more active role of the MoF during preparation and monitoring of capital investments.ย
Furthermore, climate change is significant for PIM because it defines a set of additional requirements to link the PIM framework to climate change policies, strategies, and plans and monitor compliance. On the other hand, PIM also matters for climate change because it defines the legal and institutional framework for public investment and thereby provides a mechanism for ensuring a shift towards a more climate-friendly public investment portfolio.ย
Serbia has confirmed its commitment to the EU Green Deal by signing the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans in 2020 and adopting the action plan until 2030. The European Green Deal will also impose significant obligations on Serbia to take steps toward a cleaner, low-carbon future because of Serbia's accession ambitions and the fact that the EU is Serbia's major trading partner.ย
Taking into account the previously mentioned, successful Public Investment Management portfolio will further boost a positive image of the country and the region, further attracting investment, capital and tourism in a market exceeding 400 million consumers.
In line with the abovementioned, UNDP in Serbia is seeking a qualified and experienced local professional to assist the Ministry of Finance by providing technical expertise in the organizational and administrative strengthening of the Public Investment Management (PIM) Unit. The Technical Analyst will support the MoF in the review and monitoring of capital investment projects, particularly by enhancing internal procedures, risk management practices, and alignment with environmental and climate-related policy objectives.
This support is aligned with the ongoing improvement of MoFโs institutional capacities to manage complex investment processes and meet obligations stemming from EU accession requirements, including those related to the European Green Deal and the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda.
Duties and Responsibilities
Technical Advisory on Environment & Climate Integration
- Strengthen MoF PIM procedures for assessing and monitoring capital investment projects, explicitly embedding environmentalโrisk and climate criteria.
- Recommend improvements to MoF organizational practices on risk and environmental management, ensuring alignment with Serbiaโs PublicโInvestmentโManagement (PIM) framework and relevant EU directives.
- Coordinate with key stakeholders (line ministries, local selfโgovernments, CSOs, private sector) so projects support national climateโadaptation and mitigation strategies.
- Design and institutionalize toolsโchecklists, riskโscreening matrices, reporting templatesโto track environmental compliance and implementation risks.
- Streamline internal processes within the MoF PIM Unit to improve coordination with national climateโpolicy goals.
Project Planning & Implementation
- Develop a detailed workplan and fully costed budget in line with UNDP POPP/PPM guidelines, following capacity assessments.
- Lead dayโtoโday portfolio management, ensuring outputs are delivered on time, on budget, and to agreed quality standards.
- Facilitate inclusive, interactive implementation platforms and coordinate with other UNDP programme units so crossโcutting development issues are integrated.
- Embed gender equality perspectives throughout implementation, as the local context allows.
- Oversee operational managementโprocurement of goods/services, humanโresource planning, and financial oversight.
Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
- Cultivate strategic relationships with government counterparts, donors, private sector, academia, and civil society.
- Maintain and update a stakeholderโmapping tool to track interests, influence, and engagement opportunities.
- Provide liaison and technical support to implementing partners, ensuring smooth information flow with UNDP.
- Support resourceโmobilization efforts and identify opportunities for joint initiatives or programme scaleโup.
Monitoring, Reporting & Risk Management
- Refine the results frameworkโupdate indicators, baselines, and targets; define dataโcollection methods and means of verification.
- Monitor progress and manage risks, conducting field visits and adjusting workplans as needed.
- Coordinate with Finance to ensure budgets and expenditures comply with UNDP and donor rules.
- Prepare timely corporate, donor, and government reports and ensure proper operational and financial closure of projects.
Knowledge Management & Capacity Building
- Design and deliver training, workshops, and peerโlearning events with government, private sector, and civilโsociety actors.
- Capture and document lessons learned, turning them into knowledge products (briefs, case studies, toolkits).
- Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice; create digital or inโperson platforms to disseminate project results.
- Advocate for development trends and collaboration opportunities in coordination with stakeholders and UNDP communications staff.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
ย Institutional Arrangement
Technical Analyst - Environment and Risk in the field of Public Investment Management will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Technical Advisor โ Delivery Unit Coordinator
Competencies Core 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 improvementsย 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 flexibleย Act with Determination:ย 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 discriminationย
Cross-Functional & Technical competenciesย Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction & Strategy Strategic Thinking
Demonstrated ability to develop effective strategies and prioritize plans aligned with UNDPโs objectives, grounded in a systemic analysis of challenges, risks, and opportunities. Skilled at translating strategic vision into practical, context-specific solutions.
Proficient in leveraging insights from diverse sources to anticipate emerging trends and proactively shape responses. Capable of applying foresight to model potential future developments and inform strategic direction for UNDP. Business Direction & Strategy System Thinking Ability to apply objective problem analysis and sound judgment to understand the interconnections within complex systems, recognizing how individual elements interact and how changes to one component may affect the entire system. Business Development Knowledge Generation Ability to conduct research and transform information into actionable knowledge that is contextually relevant and responsive to identified needs. Business Management Results-based Management Ability to manage programmes and projects with a strong focus on performance enhancement and the delivery of measurable, demonstrable results. Financeย Finance business partnering Able to support business units and add value by innovating and delivering solutions to financial issues and queries through FAQs, financial tools, advisory services, and more. Effectively influences and constructively challenges non-finance colleagues to enhance service outcomes. Demonstrates a strong understanding of the organizationโs operations, opportunities, and challenges, maintaining a commercial outlook and accountability toward organizational goals. 2030 Agenda: Engagement & Effectiveness Strategic Policy Engagement Economic forecasting Ethics Ethical Implications of Policy Development Consult on the ethical implications within all policy development and standard setting.
Required Skills and Experience ย Education:
- Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in the field of Economics, Business Management, Organizational or related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (Bachelorโs degree) in the above-mentioned fields, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
ย Experience:- ย Minimum 2 years (with Masterยดs degree) or 4 years (with Bachelorยดs degree) of relevant professional experience in supporting public institutions or international development projects, with demonstrated expertise in areas such as disaster and environmental risk management, climate change integration, public investment planning and monitoring, administrative coordination, and institutional capacity building
Required skills:
- Knowledge and understanding of a domestic legal framework, rules and procedures.
- Ability to deliver results when working under pressure and within changing circumstances;
- Excellent interpersonal, networking and team building skills;
- Client oriented: establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clientsโ needs and matches them with appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clientsโ environment in order to keep them informed and to anticipate problems; keeps clients informed on regular basis of progress or setbacks in projects;ย
- Good organizational and time management skills;
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling ethical standards;
- Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
- Treats all people fairly without prejudice regardless of cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
ยDesired skills:
- Experience in the work of public sector, city or state administration is considered as asset;
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate with government institutions and international organizations (e.g., Ministry of Finance, World Bank, EU, UNDP);
- Proven track record in drafting reports, policy briefs, or project proposals related to environmental or fiscal risks;
- Experience with donor-funded programs and familiarity with procedures (e.g., EU IPA, Swiss SECO/SDC, WB safeguard frameworks);
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills;
- Sound understanding of Serbia's political, institutional, and socio-economic context;
- Thorough knowledge of the national institutional, legal, and public investment framework, including policy implementation processes;
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Office Suite and tools for data analysis or project tracking (e.g., Excel, SharePoint, PowerPoint).
Languages:
- Fluency in Serbian and English is required
The online application form must be fully completed. Applicants are required to carefully complete their online application form and reflect all of their work experience history in the application.ย
Only attaching a CV is not sufficient for applicants to be considered for positions. All applicants have to complete the Experience, Education, Language, and Nationality & Permanent Residence fields fully.
Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.
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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ย
- Fluency in Serbian and English is required
- ย Minimum 2 years (with Masterยดs degree) or 4 years (with Bachelorยดs degree) of relevant professional experience in supporting public institutions or international development projects, with demonstrated expertise in areas such as disaster and environmental risk management, climate change integration, public investment planning and monitoring, administrative coordination, and institutional capacity building