Duties and Responsibilities

Functional Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the RSMCO Director, with the guidance and in close coordination with the Partnerships Specialist (PS) and Head of Programme (HoP) and in collaboration with Project Managers and Team Leaders, the Partnerships Advisor for EU Integration will provide strategic advice for ongoing and future UNOPS operations, contribute to defining the RSMCO approach and actions, and provide guidance in application of knowledge, lessons, best practices and experience for optimising the initiatives related to the requested area of expertise.

She/he will provide substantial contribution in identification, design, and implementation of the programmes and projects contributing to the EU accession of the aforementioned regions.

The candidate is expected to possess knowledge in the areas including, but not limited to, the below listed:

EU institutional framework and policies (institutional set-up and decision-making processes of EU institutions, enlargement policies and integration mechanisms, harmonisation requirements)
EU accession process & enlargement policy (Strategies and negotiation frameworks, including Copenhagen Criteria and revised Enlargement Methodology)
EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and Reform and Growth Facility Instrument
Economic integration and EU funding mechanisms ( Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), EU Single market, Cohesion Policy, and Structural Funds)
Upgrading capacities of national institutions on the countries’ EU accession paths
Creating platforms for engagement and cooperation mechanisms public institutions, businesses, academia and civil society on EU integration matters.
Communications and visibility of the EU assistance
Inter- and intra-regional networking and cooperation

The incumbent will undertake the following specific tasks/responsibilities:

Advise the RSMCO Director, HoP, PS and other senior RSMCO personnel on the EU accession and integration matters and the directions for UNOPS, in particular the most recent issues and future developments in EU main policies and financial frameworks
Provide guidance for strategic and operational engagement in EU accession and integration of the Western Balkans countries
Provide regular or ad-hoc analyses of EU enlargement and Western Balkans accession and integration trends, policies and institutional frameworks
Monitor and provide updates on funding opportunities for projects supporting EU accession and integration in the Western Balkans
Facilitate the expansion of the RSMCO network of national and international stakeholders relevant for the countries’ EU accession and integration, including the local EU delegations and Brussels based EU institutions
Contribute to development/writing of programmes and projects supporting EU accession

The candidate will provide technical support on all the aforementioned areas and aspects through

narrative inputs to documents including concept notes, project proposals, analyses, presentations and other
participation in internal and external meetings, events and other fora relevant for the RSMCO and the Western Balkans countries’ EU accession and integration
advisory and capacity building through on-the-job advisory or training sessions, in person or online

Qualifications and Experience

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education

Advanced University Degree preferably in EU integration, International Relations, Public Administration, Management, Developments Studies, Sociology, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Law or other relevant field is required
Bachelor’s degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree

Work Experience

Minimum seven years of relevant work experience in the field of EU integration in national and international sector within Western Balkans countries is required
Within these 7 years, a minimum three years in leadership or key expert positions in EU integration matters are required
Experience in the Cluster 1 - Fundamentals of the EU Acquis Communautaire is an asset

How to Apply

Language Requirements

Fluency in English is required
Knowledge of Serbian, Montenegrin, Macedonian, Bosnian will be asset

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UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce is made up of people from varied nationalities, cultures and races. They speak a range of languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.
We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. Click apply and join us!

Remarks: Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

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