Project Management Support – Senior Assistant At UNOPS

Background information- Job specific

The Project “Support to the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Sector – Application of Unique Information System of Judiciary” is designed to contribute to the enhancement of the rule of law system by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the institutions and to bring the system for promotion and protection of human rights in line with the best EU practices.

In order to improve ICT systems in all subsystems of the judiciary, compliant with the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) standards, and enhance the technical capacity of the institutions implementing the Action Plans for the EU Accession Chapters 23 and 24. The European Union (EU) has provided 2,100,000 Euros through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) 2018 to fund the Project, which will be implemented by UNOPS with an implementation duration of 20 months.

The Project will address some of the key problems identified by the Ministry of Justice, notably the need for more efficient and modern ICT solutions and the need to enhance capacities, which are also identified in the European Commission (EC) 2021 Montenegro Report. The aim of the Project is to address these weaknesses through:

• ensuring the application of the Unique Information System of the Judiciary (ISP), which would cover the needs and key business processes of the judicial institutions,
• conducting the procurement of ICT equipment, enabling the ISP security improvement and institution certification, and
• arranging specialised training for the employees of judicial institutions.

Furthermore, UNOPS implements the EU funded Project “Enhancing Capacities and Preparedness of Montenegro’s Judiciary for EU Integration”, which is designed to contribute to the enhancement of the rule of law by increasing independence, efficiency, and accountability of the judicial system and supporting progress in implementation of the Action Plans for EU Accession Chapters 23 and 24,.

The EU has allocated 2,000,000 Euros through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance 2022 (IPA) in support of the Project, which will be implemented over a period of 24 months.

The Project encompasses activities related to optimisation of the selected processes within judiciary institutions, conduct of training programme, and conduct of ICT and infrastructure related assessment. It also includes the preparation of technical documentation for the construction of a judicial complex in Podgorica, which is an important action in an effort to ensure adequate working conditions for judicial institutions while enhancing their accessibility, efficiency and effectiveness.

Key national Project partner is the Ministry of Justice, benefitting from the outcomes of the Project along with the Judicial Council and the 25 courts, the State Prosecutor’s Office and the Institute for Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions.

Functional Responsibilities

The PMS Senior Assistant works closely with and under the supervision and guidance of the Project Manager to ensure support for the efficient implementation of the Project through a range of actions contributing to the planning, management, and monitoring of Project activities.

In performing her/his work, the PMS Senior Assistant promotes a client, quality and results-oriented approach, and works closely with the Support Services to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

The PMS Senior Assistant will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of project activities and contribute to the cultivation of professional relationships with the project stakeholders
• Support organisation of meetings, events, workshops, and field visits
• Produce meeting minutes and reports and contribute to the development of Project’s reports
• Contribute to development of Project’s Plans
• Maintain Project’s filing system, archive and registers, including risk, issue, and lessons logs
• Establish and cultivate regular cooperation with the Support Services in order to facilitate the progress of Project activities in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, and procedures
• Assist project counterparts on applicable administrative procedures and facilitate their observance
• Follow up on engagement of project retainers and related Time Sheets
• Contribute to the identification and assessment of risks and assist in the implementation of mitigation measures in accordance with the Risk Management Strategy
• Contribute to the identification and sharing of the Project’s lessons learned and best practices.
• Provide support to Project’s communication and visibility activities
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above

Education

• Secondary education is required.
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Economics, Business Administration, Finances, Social Sciences, Law or a related field, will be considered an asset.

Work Experience

• Five years of working experience in project support functions is required. Bachelor’s degree may substitute for some years of experience.
• Experience in the conduct of administrative tasks would be an asset.
• Experience in engagement with Governmental institutions, international organisations and donors would be an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Montenegrin and English is required

  Driving Licence

• Driving licence and ability to travel independently is an advantage.

ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A CV AND COVER LETTER ALONG WITH THEIR APPLICATION

Contract type, level and duration

This is a local position, it is therefore open to nationals of Montenegro and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: Local ICA Support – ICS 5
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background information – UNOPS Serbia
The UNOPS Republic of Serbia Multi Country Office (RSMCO) is implementing 16 projects in Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro.

In Serbia, where UNOPS has been active since 2000, and North Macedonia and Montenegro where UNOPS works since 2017, the organisation provides support in demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union. The projects focus on sustainable socio-economic development, good governance, social cohesion, environment and emergency response. The projects are implemented with the funding from the European Union (EU), Kingdom of Norway, Governments of Switzerland, Sweden and North Macedonia.

All projects have gender equality as a transversal theme, and have been contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives.