The European Union revised the enlargement methodology and adopted the enhanced one in 2020. Enhancing methodology was developed to strengthen the EU accession process. It aims to make the enlargement process more credible, predictable, dynamic and subject to stronger political steering. Methodology should build trust among stakeholders, make the accession process more transparent, efficient and prepare Western Balkan countries to fulfill all preconditions for membership. The credibility of the process is meant to be reinforced through an even stronger focus on the fundamental reforms and a more central role in the EU integration process. Another notable change in the methodology is the merit-based accession process which should be implemented through positive and negative conditionality. Incentives for candidates who successfully undertake the reform process would be: accelerated integration and “phasing in” to individual EU policies, the EU market and EU programmes or increased funding and investments, including performance-based access to Instrument for Pre-accession support. A conditional slot for significant new enlargement is set for 2030 and by that time the EU will perform internal institutional, legal and budget reforms to be ready for the accession of new members.

Further to the new methodology, in 2023 the EU announced a new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, aiming to accelerate the countries’ socio-economic convergence to the EU. The plan is underpinned by a financial instrument and Serbia is finalizing the preparation of the Reform Agenda document, which sets the path for accelerating fundamental reforms.

UNDP in Serbia is seeking a qualified and experienced candidate to support the Ministry of European Integration in creating effective communication mechanisms related to the Reform Agenda and Growth Plan.

The Project Analyst is responsible for day-to-day management and decision-making for the Project. The Project Analyst’s primary responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Specific responsibilities will include implementation of project activities with the aim of achieving the following project results:

• Timely implement project activities and overseeing of project delivery,
• Prepare the Project Work Plan and project reports (Progress reports including the Final report and their presentation to the National Project Director/Project Board for review/approval).
• Monitor project progress to ensure that it is in accordance with the timetable set out in the project document.
• Maintain good cooperation and coordination between national counterparts, partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain regular contacts with beneficiaries to ensure that their feedback has been addressed in delivering project outputs.
• Identify, collect, and analyze, relevant information and data.
• Capture good practices and lessons learnt, particularly related to areas of capacity development and national development.
• Support activities related to assessing capacities and development needs of local government organizations and partners, in close collaboration with national counterparts at both central and local level.
• Prepare briefs, talking points and project briefs for management.
• Draft terms of reference for goods and services.
• Coordinate meetings, training sessions, conferences, and promotional activities.
• Build network of contacts to acquire and share relevant knowledge and information.
• Manage the project team.
• Facilitate teams’ learning and knowledge sharing.
• The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Project Analyst will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Senior Program Officer.