Background

The ART GOLD KOSOVO – AGK project (Decentralised cooperation and international inter-municipal networking for local development in Kosovo municipalities) is designed to promote multi-faceted partnerships between Kosovo Municipalities and cities, regions and municipalities from European and non-European countries, with the aim of mobilizing technical and financial resources from these decentralised entities in support of socio-economic development and responsive citizen service delivery in the Kosovo Municipalities.  Decentralized Cooperation is a strategy that ART GOLD applies to support the scaling up of the decentralisation processes, facilitating the networking between foreign and national decentralised institutions (such as cities, municipalities, regions), using the partnerships for resource contribution, innovation, knowledge-sharing, capacity building, exchange of experiences and implementation of local socio-economic development priorities. It is thus more comprehensive, more in-depth, and more a partnership than mere ‘twinning’ arrangements. It brings partners together around all aspects of development planning and strategy implementation.

The preparatory assistance proposal is designed to prepare the ground for the full, substantially more comprehensive, ART GOLD project as envisaged in UNDP Kosovo’s ART GOLD project document. The preparatory assistance phase is laying an important foundation for future ART GOLD activities throughout Kosovo.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Support the overall implementation of the ART Gold Kosovo project
  • Build solid relationships with local, provincial, municipal and national entities in order to ensure the full participation and appropriation of the ART GOLD methodology
  • Provide high quality and comprehensive technical support to national and international partners interested in operating within the framework of ART GOLD.
  • Negotiate and formulate pilot projects related to the ART GOLD programme.
  • Plan and arrange joint programming activities with potential donors, Government Ministries and other stakeholders, including visits to the field and sub-project sites
  • Prepare the Annual Report 2009 with the support of ART GOLD Kosovo project staff
  • Support the preparatory work for the ART GOLD Kosovo participation in the WACAP conference in Rotterdam ( 24 – 26 February 2010)
  • Participate in the WACAP conference
  • Coordinate the elaboration of the work plan and budget for 2010, its submission and approval
  • Advise on functional organisation of ART GOLD staff to guarantee a smooth operation and programme implementation
  • Provide adequate technical and administrative support to ART GOLD Kosovo staff
  • Ensure the ART GOLD technical, operative and administrative relevance and coherence within the framework and objective of Decentralised Cooperation Initiatives.
  • Advise on appropriate and updated monitoring and evaluation systems, that it is applied effectively and to develop and apply training methodologies as required.
  • Identify and select technical advisors and professionals services required for the effective and high quality management of the ART GOLD programme.
  • Undertake other assignments that may be required by the Kosovo Director or Resident Representative.

Competencies

Competencies:

Corporate Responsibility and Teamwork

  • Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time;
  • Strives for and promotes excellence in performance continually;
  • Participates effectively in a team-based, information-sharing environment, collaborating and cooperating with others;
  • Demonstrates professional competence and is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Displays cultural, gender, sexual, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

People Skills

  • Experience in working with government representatives;
  • Recognizes and responds appropriately to the ideas, interests, and concerns of others;
  • Builds trust and engenders morale by displaying open, transparent, and credible behavior;
  • Respects individual/cultural differences; utilizes diversity to foster teamwork;
  • Partnering and Networking
  • Communicates sensitively and effectively across different constituencies;

Results-Orientation

  • Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
  • Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
    Communication
  • Formulates written information clearly and persuasively;
  • Shares information openly with co-workers and partners while using discretion to protect confidences

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Advance university degree in local development, social science, business administration or any related topic with development is required
  • Postgraduate or specialized studies in local development is an advantage

Experience

  • At least 10 years of experience working in the field of international development
  • Minimum 7 years of experience working with local development, of which 3 years in managerial role and position.
  • Experience in managing human and financial resources required
  • Knowledge of decentralised cooperation and the ART GOLD methodology and previous experience in working with them preferred.
  • UNDP technical and administrative experience is an asset
  • Relationship and network building.

Language requirements:

  • Fluency in English.
  • Working knowledge of Albanian or Serbian language is an advantage.