Technical Analyst – Business Development and Project Investment Management

Please note the appropriate Tier indicated in the vacancy title and ensure that you are holding the applicable contract as defined below:

• Tier 1: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed term (FTA) appointments (defined as "internal" candidates)  
• Tier 2: UNDP/ UNCDF/ UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA) and personnel on regular PSA contracts 
• Tier 3: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports countries worldwide in building effective institutions, strengthening governance systems, and advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations Development Programme in Serbia has been supporting the Ministry of Finance (MoF) of the Republic of Serbia since 2013 in building institutional capacity for effective coordination and management of economic reforms, accession negotiations, and fulfillment of the economic and political criteria for European Union (EU) membership. In 2018, UNDP launched the project "Support to Strengthen Technical Capacity and Institutional Development of the Ministry of Finance and Coordination in the Field of Economic Governance", which has provided targeted assistance in strengthening administrative capacities and ensuring institutional stability. The project has focused on capacity building, analysis of the economic environment, and supporting the implementation of Serbia's fiscal risk management strategy and methodology, including monitoring fiscal risks with a particular focus on those arising from the activities of state-owned enterprises.

In this framework, the overall objective of the current project phase is to continue strengthening the capacities of the MoF for efficient coordination and management of economic reforms and accession negotiations, thereby contributing to Serbia's progress toward EU membership. 

A central focus of these efforts is the further development and implementation of the Public Investment Management (PIM) system. Based on a unique methodology developed by the MoF, the Government of Serbia adopted a new Regulation on Public Investment Management in 2019, which entered into force in January 2020 and applies to all capital projects regardless of funding source. The system strengthens quality controls at both the planning and execution stages, institutionalizes control points, and introduces gatekeeping mechanisms such as investment pre-selection, resolution of dormant projects, and ex-post evaluation. The new framework is designed to provide a unified mechanism for managing all public investments, ensuring a more active role for the MoF in preparing, monitoring, and strategically managing capital projects.

In April 2019, the Government also established the Capital Investment Commission (CIC), chaired by the Prime Minister, as the central decision-making body for investment projects under the new PIM Regulation. To support these functions, the MoF established a dedicated Public Investment Management Unit (PIM Unit), which is responsible for the planning and monitoring of capital investments and reports directly to the CIC.

In this context, the Ministry of Finance has initiated the implementation of measures outlined in relevant policy documents and requires external support to ensure their effective execution. To this end, UNDP is seeking a Technical Analyst to provide expertise on organizational aspects in the field of Public Investment Management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provision of technical advisory support

• Provide expert support the management of the PIM Department of the Ministry of Finance in the implementation of capital projects, through active participation in project management processes, with a focus on business development issues.
• Provide expert advice to the Ministry of Finance, Capital Projects Department, in implementing and revising the business development strategy in relation to project monitoring.
• In consultations with the Ministry of Finance and its relevant institutions draft and implement strategy documents, in line with changes to the project methodology.
• Provide advisory support in facilitating public hearings and consultations on all regulatory and strategic recommendations related to risks arising from projects.

Establish partnerships and open channels of communication

• Maintain good cooperation and coordination between national counterparts, project partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain stakeholder mapping and analysis to identify stakeholder needs and how best to leverage their participation and/or strengthen their engagement. Prepare substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation and opportunities for joint initiatives. Make recommendations to the management team on activities with potential for scale-up, replicability and synergies.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy 

• Actively participate in and coordinate meetings, training sessions, conferences, and public promotion of projects.
• Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
• Deliver business development expertise related to capital projects, including report analysis and synthesis.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Technical Analyst – Business Development and Project Investment Management will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Technical Advisor – Delivery Unit Coordinator. 

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• 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 and Technical Competencies:

• Business Direction & Strategy - Strategic Thinking 
  • Develop effective strategies and prioritized 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 on improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• 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 Development - Knowledge Facilitation   
  • Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas. Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
• Business Management - Change Management      
  • Initiate, design and ensure successful implementation of organisational change; prepare and support individuals and teams in implementing change.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Management, Organizational Sciences, Political Science, Cultural Management, or a related field. Or
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's 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.

Experience:

• Minimum 2 years (with Master's degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor's degree) of relevant professional experience in business development, project management, or stakeholder coordination, preferably in international or multi-sectoral environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, partnership building, and project implementation with private sector actors, or non-profit organizations.

Desired skills:

• Experience in building and maintaining institutional partnerships and coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives, including international organizations and private sector entities.
• Track record in drafting strategic plans, operational frameworks, reports, or proposals for high-visibility projects.
• Familiarity with public sector procedures, policy development, or capital investment processes 
• Proven experience in business development, strategic project planning, and implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and maintain partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including private sector actors, and international partners.
• Experience in managing complex, multi-partner projects across sectors, ensuring alignment with institutional and policy goals.
• Excellent writing, reporting, and presentation skills in multilingual environments.
• Proven track record of strong skills in cross-cultural communication and multilingual stakeholder engagement.
• Proficiency in project monitoring tools and the Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint), with the ability to adapt to new digital platforms.
• Proven track record of sound understanding of Serbia's political, institutional, and socio-economic context is considered an asset.

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and English language.

Important Information

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.

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. 

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  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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