Since 2009 UNDP is actively supporting the Assembly of Kosovo (AoK) to bring together resources and knowledge through facilitation of participatory and inclusive processes for MPs, CSOs and concerned citizens on the review, monitoring, and oversight on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

This objective is achieved through support for the AoK administration and Parliamentary Committees to develop socially inclusive policies, legislation and budgeting, specifically focusing on pension schemes, social assistance and access to health, education and employment for the vulnerable groups in Kosovo, including environment and gender dimensions. The Parliamentary Development for Social Policies (PDSP) has been able to support this process by focusing its support in developing capacities of the AoK administration, MPs, and Women’s Caucus Group, for better engagement in such processes.
Despite advancements, an overall concern remains the level of perceived and real corruption, which has an impact on the society, not least on the most vulnerable groups which socially inclusive policies aim to protect and support. The establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Council, in February 2012, is seen as a good opportunity to advance the coordination and cooperation of national institutions in anti-corruption.
The objective of the Council is to increase the efficiency of the work of institutions, civil society, media, and to facilitate the involvement of citizens to contribute concretely in the joint fight against corruption. The Council will conduct regular intra-institutional exchange of information, harmonization and coordination of actions as well as regular, periodic, reports through which the results in the fight against corruption will be measured. These processes are conducted through bringing resources and knowledge together through facilitation of participatory and inclusive processes of MPs, CSOs and concerned citizens on review, monitoring and oversight of legislative progress. From this perspective, the cooperation between UNDP and the Presidency is seen as important in supporting efforts to combat corruption as an inclusive process.

Under the direct supervision of the Democratic Governance Programme Analyst, the Project Manager and Legal Advisor has the overall responsibility for achieving the project results (outputs) as defined in the approved project document and in the annual workplans through timely and quality implementation and monitoring. The Project Manager will supervise and lead the project team, outsource partners and contractors, and build smooth relationship with government counterparts, stakeholders, and donors.

Summary of functions:
1. Management of the project, implementing activities by mobilizing goods and services, in accordance with UNDP POPP and UNDP Kosovo Standard Operating Procedures
2. Monitoring of progress and risks, ensuring that changes are controlled and problems addressed; Reporting on progress including measures to address challenges and opportunities
3. Support partnerships and advocacy activities at project level
4. Ensure implementation of knowledge management activities
5. Act as a Legal Advisor to the National Anti-Corruption Council and Legislative Process

 

Management of the project, implementing activities by mobilizing goods and services, in accordance with UNDP POPP and the UNDP Kosovo Standard Operating Procedures:
• Prepare annual project workplans and related sub-plans (procurement plan, quarterly plans if required, and others as necessary);
• Build, motivate and lead a high-performing project team; coordinate and supervise the work of the project personnel
• Ensure timely and good-quality implementation of workplan activities.
• Continuously monitor progress against the approved work-plan; Identify changes in the external environment and promptly agree necessary solutions/actions ( ex. related to the planning and implementation of activities, need for new activities) with UNDP office and Project Board
• Mobilize personnel, goods and services, training and micro-capital grants to initiative activities, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications and overseeing all contractors’ work;
• Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, through advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures);
• Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports; ensue preparation of budget revisions as necessary; follow up with UNDP programme associate and finance staff on issues.
• Coordinate an exit strategy at least 6 months ahead of the project closure date; ensure closure of the project is done according to the established procedures

 

Monitoring of progress and risks, ensuring that changes are controlled and problems addressed; Reporting on progress including measures to address challenges and opportunities:
• Monitor events as determined in the project monitoring schedule plan, and update the plan (in Atlas and off-Atlas) as required;
• Periodically update the project information Atlas Project Management module
• Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified and submit new risks to the project board for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log;
• Organize regular Board meetings and perform regular progress reporting to the project board as agreed to with the board;
• Prepare progress reports with the frequency and using the template recommended by the UNDP office. Submit the report to supervisor in the UNDP programme team for review and clearance, according to the agreed timetable. Share report with the project board.
• Ensure reporting to donor is prepared timely and the reports are meeting the standards
• Support the preparation of reviews and evaluations as defined in the project document
• Prepare final project reports and papers

 

Support partnerships and advocacy activities at project level
• Be familiar with the activities of other development projects in the sector/area, establish contact and keep up-to date with their work
• Create and maintain partnerships with local institutions, private sector, and stake-holders in project target areas
• Support the partnerships and advocacy activities agreed by the UNDP office in the area/sector covered by the project

 

Ensure implementation of knowledge management activities
• Regular exchange of information/experience with other projects, cross-learning and sharing results and good practices
• Ensure the project has the required communication package and preparation, upon request of the UNDP office, of information materials for dissemination within UNDP globally and regionally, and to external stakeholders
• Capture lessons learnt during project implementation
• Participation in regular internal meetings,
• Participation in training events, communities of practice, codifying and sharing knowledge facilitation and organization of training for project staff to enable them to perform at the required level

 

Legal Advisor to the National Anti-Corruption Council and Legislative Process
• Support in implementation of legal obligations and activities undertaken in preventing and combating corruption and organized crime in Kosovo;
• Establishing effective communication between relevant stakeholders in preventing and combating corruption in Kosovo;
• Harmonization and coordination of anti-corruption activities with other relevant institutions in Kosovo and abroad;
• Drafting of reports and legal analysis on the enforcement of activities and their implementation in compliance with the decree for the establishment of Anti-corruption Council in Kosovo;
• Advising Kosovo institutions and other relevant partners on implementation of conclusions and recommendations emerging from the Anti-corruption Council;
• Assisting on daily communications with key institutions in implementing goals and objectives of the Anti-corruption Council;
• Implementation of planned activities in compliance with the rules of procedure of Anti-corruption Council in enforcing the war against corruption;
• Drafting of work plans for the implementation of recommendations emerging from the meetings of the Anti-corruption Council.

The results of the work of Project Management have a direct impact on the implementation of the project and the achievement of results. Specifically, the results have an impact on the planning, implementation, monitoring and coordination of project activities and resources (human, financial, material assets etc) in order to meet expected results, and contribute to the overall success and impact of the UNDP office work in Kosovo.

Corporate Competencies
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

 

Functional competencies:
• Ability to conduct strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
• Ability to lead monitoring of management projects
• Ability to lead business process
• Ability to affect staff behavioral/attitudinal change
• Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results-Based Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of the programme, managing data, reporting
• Analytical and strategic thinking/results orientation
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment
• Excellent supervisory, management and team-building skills.

Education: 
• Master Degree or equivalent in Law, Management and/or Public Policy related studies or other relevant fields

 

Experience: 
• Min 3 years of relevant working experience in project/programme management or managing staff and operational systems, and/or establishing relationships among international organization and local institutions/communities
• Proven track record in legal analysis
• Previous experience in development assistance or related  work for an international agency or donor organization or NGO
• Proven ability to coordinate complex programs with diverse range of partners
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems

 

Language Requirements: 
• Fluency in both oral and written English, Albanian and/or Serbian