The Position:

In Serbia, UNFPA’s work is defined by the current Country Programme Document 2021-2025, addressing the needs of  women and girls, youth, and older people, with a focus on persons from vulnerable groups. It is implemented at the national and local levels, in order to achieve the greater impact and improve health, well-being, gender equality, social equity and the human potential of the people. 

The UNFPA Country Programme Document (CPD) 2021-2025 in Serbia requests continual strengthening of the current office structure, to achieve and maintain staff skill sets necessary for its effective implementation, especially in the expanding areas related to population dynamics. The operations and programme activities related to the population dynamics portfolio at the UNFPA CO Serbia have grown extensively during the last two years. The workload will continue to grow during 2024 mostly due to the implementation of the Expanding Choices Gender-Responsive Family Policies for the Private Sector in the Western Balkans - Phase 2 project, as well as other activities within the PD portfolio such as: i/ validation of the existing data from 2019 on international migration estimation and population estimates production based on the 2022 Census data; ii/ development of analyses, policy papers, and strategic documents; iii/ domestication of the Demographic Resilience Programme in Serbia; and iv/ promotion of active and healthy ageing, and intergenerational exchange.

The Expanding Choices Gender-Responsive Family Policies for the Private Sector in the Western Balkans - Phase 2 project aims to have a substantial impact by enabling women to fully participate in the labour market and make informed decisions on their family and work life, leading to more gender-responsive and sustainable development. The desired outcome of the project is to promote gender-responsive family policies (GRFP) in the private sector through legislative and normative frameworks, creating inclusive labour conditions and opportunities. Furthermore, the project supports governance and the rule of law by engaging with duty bearers and advocating for business-friendly public services and equal opportunities. The intervention will pursue three key outputs: 1) enhancing the capacity of governments to design and monitor GRFP, 2) encouraging private sector actors to implement such policies, 3) fostering regional collaboration and knowledge sharing on GRFP and their connection to gender equality and economic development. This regional project will be implemented from 01 December 2023 to 30 November 2026 in Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo*, North Macedonia and Serbia, with funding from Austrian Development Cooperation.

In order to successfully implement all the above-mentioned activities, UNFPA is engaging the Family Friendly Policies Project Assistant on Service Contract to support the Country Office in its everyday work and in implementing project: Expanding Choices Gender-Responsive Family Policies for the Private Sector in the Western Balkans - Phase 2 project.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, and direct supervision of the the Population Dynamics (PD) Programme Analyst, the Project Assistant provides programmatic support in the implementation of project activities. This includes supporting the planning, management and monitoring of project activities, facilitating regular field missions, and managing relevant contractual matters. Project Assistant will be part of the UNFPA CO team and will ensure that all activities implemented under this Regional Joint Project are delivered in line and contribute to UNFPA Country Programme Document 2021-2025. The Project Assistant will also work closely with Regional Joint Project staff implementing this project, and will liaise as required with the Regional Joint Programme Coordinator.

The Project Assistant will also contribute to all other activities in the domain of population and development and  gender-responsive family policies that are delivered by UNFPA Serbia CO in collaboration with other partners. The Project Assistant will deliver quality services in administration, finance and HR, to the project needs, mastering all relevant rules, guidelines, processes and procedures. S/he takes a client-oriented results-focused approach to interpreting the rules, procedures and guidelines, providing support and guidance to the CO.

The Project Assistant will contribute to establishing and maintaining good working relationships with related counterparts from the Government, civil society, international partners, other UN Agencies representatives and all other relevant partners for this programmatic area. The expected results have an impact on efficient, effective, transparent and accountable implementation of the CO work-plans. The Project Assistant will represent UNFPA at the technical meetings and working groups as per the CO division of labor.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.
 

Job Purpose:

 

1.Program Management Support 

Responsible for the implementation of the UNFPA component within the Regional Joint Project Expanding Choices Gender-Responsive Family Policies for the Private Sector in the Western Balkans - Phase 2 by providing support to the CO team and to the Regional Joint Project team in conceptualizing and developing project related documents, such as work plans, budgets and proposals on project implementation arrangements and reports.

Responsible for making relevant arrangements and working closely together with implementing partners/consultants of the programme; 

Builds and develops partnerships related to the Regional JP and other UNFPA alliances relevant to the population and development and  gender-responsive family policies programmatic activities, including Government, CSOs, international partners, other UN Agencies etc.

Regularly monitors the performance to ensure and measure relevance, efficiency, results, effectiveness, and impacts of the activities. Analyzes basic factors affecting the achievement of results, recommends corrective actions and follows up on recommendations.

Engages with a range of partners to ensure effective implementation of the project activities;

Engages in regular coordination meetings and support with targeted spot checks ensuring that activities are implemented, and adjustments are undertaken if needed;

Under the guidance of the supervisor, assembles briefing materials and prepares power-point and other presentations for the internal/external meetings related to the Regional JP and other population and development  issues that are relevant to the CO 

Assists in the preparation of materials relevant to concept notes, project proposals and draft Terms of Reference for new projects design in the domain of population and development and  gender-responsive family policies;

Provides logistical support to programme activities (project missions, study tours, trainings, conferences and workshops) including travel arrangements, accommodation, collecting supporting documents and organizing the venue.

Contributes to communication/advocacy efforts relevant for the project implementation, including the preparation of the marking of the relevant International Days (ie World Population Day, World Family Day, International Day of Older Persons, International Day of Persons with Disabilities, etc.).

Contributes to the work of the CO beyond the Regional Joint Project and participates in the work of various inter-agency coordination groups/bodies as agreed with the CO relevant to population and development.

2. Financial Management Support 

Assists in the management of the project budget, monitoring expenditures, and preparing revisions according to the project needs.

Supports the monitoring of project finances by providing necessary financial information and analysis, including implementation rate against indicators/results. Detects potential over/ under expenditure problems and proposes remedial action.

3. Administrative Support 

Provides administrative support to implementation of activities under direct UNFPA execution and direct payments. 

Provides administrative support to the IPs in implementing project activities and organization of events, meetings and workshops, etc.

Develops tools and mechanisms for effective and efficient monitoring of IP project budget, coordinates compilation of financial data and provides accurate and up-dated financial information to Admin/Finance Associate on a continuous basis;

Supports procurement processes and initiates procurement procedures for office and project equipment, supplies, and services in a transparent and cost-effective manner. Contributes to the smooth running of the project/office by ensuring provision and maintenance of services and supplies following-up processes and maintaining up-to-date inventory and records;

Supports the administrative and financial reporting of IPs in line with segregation of duties and as per internal policy 

Supports travel arrangements for the CO team.

4. Supports knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO

Contributes to the documentation of lessons learned and best practices related to UNFPA’s work in the area of population and development.

Identifies and participates in communities of practice related to population and development and gender-responsive family policies  and shares new approaches with CO staff, and national partners. 

Acts as the primary source of knowledge on population and development and gender-responsive family policies  in the office.

5. Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership

 

Qualifications and Experience: 

 

Education:

University degree in the domain of social science, political science or demography required. Postgraduate degree is an asset. 

 

Knowledge and Experience:

• Professional experience in the relevant programmatic area of at least one year. Longer experience will be considered an asset;
• Experience in project cycle management, preferably in international projects
• Good knowledge of  gender-responsive family policies and related thematic areas relevant for demographic trends and population development;
• Prior work experience with the UN system will be considered an  asset;
• Good knowledge of partners networks, including government institutions, international organisations, and CSOs;
• Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Languages: 

Fluency in English and the local language is required.
 

Required Competencies: 

• Values:
• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

Results-based programme development and management – Contributes to achievement of results through primary research and analysis and effective monitoring of programme/ project implementation. Uses analytical skills to identify opportunities for project development and participates in formulation of proposals ensuring substantive rigour in the design and application of proven successful approaches.

Innovation and marketing of new approaches – enhance existing processes and products. Documents and analyses innovative strategies, best practices and new approaches. Adapts quickly to change.

Leveraging the resources of partners/ Building strategic alliances and partnerships – Establishes, maintains and utilizes a broad network of contacts to keep abreast of developments and to share information. Analyzes selected materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.

Resource mobilization – Provides inputs to resource mobilization strategies analyzing and maintaining information and databases on donors and developing a database of project profiles for presentation to donors.

 

Compensation and Benefits:

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

 

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and, therefore, encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.

 

Apply via portal: HERE