Project Analyst (PIM), NPSA-9 – Belgrade (1 Position)
JOB DETAIL
UNDP has been actively supporting public administration reform and public financial management reform since 2000. Activities have expanded and intensified over the years as UNDP’s relationship with the institutions established after the first democratic elections in Serbia has been strengthened, coupled with the need to modernize public sector management, and ensure a fully functional and accountable public finance management system based on the highest international standards and, since 2014, EU accession requirements.
UNDP Serbia has been supporting the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia since 2013 in capacity building for effective coordination and management, economic reforms, accession negotiations, and meeting the economic and political criteria for European Union (EU) membership. The implementation of the project “Support to Strengthen Technical Capacity and Institutional Development of the Ministry of Finance and Coordination in the Field of Economic Governance” started in 2018. In order to meet the economic and political criteria for EU membership and to create a stable economic and monetary environment, the Republic of Serbia needs to ensure further strengthening of administrative capacity and stability of its institutions. The main project activities focus on providing capacity building support and analysis of the current economic environment, as well as supporting the implementation of the fiscal risk management strategy and methodology by monitoring fiscal risks, with a particular focus on risks arising from the activities of state-owned enterprises.
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has implemented a unique methodology – a system for managing both the planning and implementation of investment projects. Based on the unique methodology, the Government of the Republic of Serbia (GoS) adopted a new Regulation on Public Investment Management (PIM), which came into force in January 2020 and applies to all capital projects regardless of the source of financing. The new system PIM aims to strengthen existing quality controls on capital projects at both the planning and execution stages, institutionalise quality control points, and install new gatekeeping mechanisms, such as investment pre-selection, resolution of dormant projects, and ex-post evaluation.
The new system should ensure the development of a unified mechanism for all investments, regardless of the source of financing, to ensure a more active role for the Ministry of Finance in preparing and monitoring investments.
In April 2019, the state established the Capital Investment Commission (CIC), chaired by the Serbian Prime Minister, as the central decision-making body for investment projects, as provided for in the new decree PIM. The new PIM system will also be strengthened by the establishment of the Public Investment Management Unit (PIM) in the Ministry of Finance, which will deal with the planning and monitoring of capital investments and report directly to the CIC.
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. Among the numerous capital investment projects, the construction and development of the land area designated for the new Fair and EXPO Belgrade 2027 in Belgrade stands out as one of the government’s top priorities. Given the project’s strategic importance, substantial financial support has been allocated within the national budget for its execution. EXPO Belgrade 2027 has been designated as a project of national interest, recognizing its significance for Serbia. Considering Serbia’s strategic location and historical role as a bridge between the West and the East, coupled with its status as a major transport hub in Europe, connecting several major international highways, this project is poised to significantly enhance Serbia’s economic outlook. It will also bolster Serbia’s image as one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe. By hosting EXPO in Serbia and facilitating the exchange of advanced technologies, cultures, social perspectives, and visions of participants from across the globe, this event will convey an important message to the Serbian populace and the wider Southeast European region. This message will reach a rapidly expanding market of over 400 million people.
In view of this, the Ministry of Finance has started implementing the measures foreseen in the relevant policy documents and needs external support for their implementation. Considering this, UNDP is seeking a Project Analyst for organizational aspects in the field of Public Investment Management.
- Assist and advice MoF PIM Unit during the assessment of project management aspects of capital investment projects for the construction and development of EXPO;
- Provide recommendations to the MoF related to organizational aspects of capital investment projects for the construction and development of EXPO;
- Provide technical advisory to the management of the Public Investment Department of the Ministry of Finance in the implementation of public investment methodologies, incorporating engineering standards and procedures;
- Assist and advice MoF PIM Unit during monitoring of implementation of capital investment projects for the construction and development of EXPO from the organizational perspective;
- Provide recommendations to the MoF related to the capital investment projects for the construction and development of EXPO from the organizational perspective;
- Participate actively in and coordinate meetings, training sessions, conferences and public promotion of projects;
- 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 for organizational aspects in the field of Public Investment Management will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Technical Advisor – Delivery Unit Coordinator.
| 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 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 & Technical competencies
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| Business Direction & Strategy | Strategic Thinking | Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s 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. |
| Business Direction & Strategy | 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 |
| Business Development | Knowledge Generation | Ability to research information and to turn it into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need. Ability to apply existing concepts to new situations, and to develop new concepts to generate workable solutions and new approaches. Knowledge of relevant concepts, conceptual models, and theories that can be useful in addressing new situations. |
| Business Management | Results-based Management | Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools. |
| Finance | Commercial understanding within the public sector | Understands the role, importance and accounting practices for commercial activities. Understands income generation options and related risk and reward. Understands the importance of commercial suppliers to the public sector and evaluating their financial resilience. Is adept with private sector accounts and their use within commercial offshoots and subsidiaries. Possesses influence and negotiation skills and can facilitate and engage with ‘productive competitive dialogue’. Understands the procurement cycle and the scope and features of good contract management. |
| 2030 Agenda: Partnerships | SDG Integration | Economic forecasting |
| Ethics | Ethical Implications of Policy Development | Consult on the ethical implications within all policy development and standard setting. |
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Engineering, Project Management, Organizational Management or related field is required, or
- A first-level university degree (Bachelor`s degree) in Engineering, Project Management, Organizational Management or related field in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master`s degree
- Minimum 2 years (with Master´s degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of progressively responsible work experience in engineering and construction sector, specifically in project management.
Required skills:
- Knowledge and understanding of a domestic legal and organizational framework, rules and procedures.
- Ability to deliver results when working under pressure and within changing circumstances;
- Excellent writing/reporting and presentation skills;
- Excellent interpersonal, networking and team building skills;
- Strong oral and written communication skills;
- Client oriented: establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them with appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment in order to keep them informed and to anticipate problems; keeps clients informed on regular basis of progress or setbacks in projects;
- 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
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
- Experience in managing engineering and construction projects, including planning, scheduling,
- Strong understanding of engineering principles, particularly in disciplines such as civil, mechanical, or environmental engineering
Required Language(s)
- 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.
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.
