Background

Purpose:

During and after the armed conflict, cultural monuments of outstanding historical significance in Kosovo were the focus of intentional destruction. Throughout Kosovo cultural and religious symbols were destroyed or disfigured causing immense damage. Yet, it is estimated that cultural heritage is a crucial element of the recovery process following armed conflict and should not be considered a luxury to await attention later. Societal ability to recover from conflict is closely linked with the inclusion of cultural heritage as part of the process as it aids social reconstruction, ensures a “thread of continuity” that links the post-conflict reality with a pre-conflict “normality”, and supports reconciliation as a necessary foundation for the transition from post-conflict to sustainable development. This process is even more important for conflicts based on, or featuring an ethnic and/or religious dimension, particularly in multi-ethnic environments, when deliberate attacks on the “other’s” symbols of identity have taken place.. In Kosovo, where inter-community exchange is limited and the understanding of the others’ heritage is restricted, tangible and intangible cultural heritage protection may serve as an instrument to build inter-community trust. To this end, the European Commission adopted a project - under the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) - to support cultural heritage protection in Kosovo. The project will be implemented by UNDP in Kosovo and will support the continued rehabilitation of important cultural and religious sites, the development of cultural and rural tourism, as well as engaging communities to work together on cultural heritage protection. In doing so, this project will contribute to greater understanding and reconciliation between ethnic communities, which will be achieved through the following three Outputs:

i) restoration, rehabilitation and beautification of cultural and religious sites;

ii) promotion and awareness-raising of intangible cultural heritage; and

iii) strengthening of capacities to protect and preserve cultural heritage at institutional and community level.

Reporting structure and partners:

The project will be managed and implemented directly by UNDP Kosovo, in close coordination and cooperation with European Union Office in Kosovo (EUOK) and national stakeholders, to promote post intervention sustainability.

Internally: Daily support will be provided by the Programme Officer, while the regular oversight and quality assurance function will be exercised by the Programme Portfolio Manager. Additionally, the project manager will work in close cooperation with UNDP Assistant Resident Representative/Programme Coordinator, and UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. Regular reports will be provided as per UNDP rules and regulations.

Externally: Regular updates and reports must be prepared for the EUOK, as per the rules and regulations on such reporting specified in PAGODA agreement, and after clearance from UNDP.

Municipalities:

The Kosovo Strategy on Local Self-Government 2016-2020 acknowledges the importance of promoting cultural and natural heritage and affirmation of cultural, natural and social diversity in municipalities with the purpose of socio-economic development of municipalities, stipulating job and income generation for residents, through tourism, food produce, or handicrafts. Hence, municipalities are actively engaged as key partner and beneficiaries in this intervention. Through extensive research and consultations, several municipalities have been identified according to a set of criteria, including, but not limited to, their multi-ethnicity, pre-existing municipal development plans on cultural heritage and the demonstrated interest of communities for the project. The final selection of the municipalities and sites will be conducted in cooperation with the EUOK during the inception phase.

Communities:

The communities (mainly Albanian and Serb) involved in the intervention will be the direct beneficiaries. Communities will benefit not only from renovation, rehabilitation and beautification of cultural and religious sites, but also from improved inter-community trust through the promotion and preservation of intangible cultural heritage providing an opportunity to foster inter-community exchange and further their understanding of the culture and religious heritage of other communities.

The Kosovo Police (KP) Unit for the Security of Buildings and Cultural Heritage (BCH):

This unit was established in March 2013 in accordance with the agreement reached on the matter in the European Union-facilitated dialogue. The multi-ethnic unit specializes on the protection of cultural heritage and religious sites and has four sub-units covering Prishtinë/Pristina, Prizren, Pejë/Pec and Mitrovica.

CSOs/NGOs:

CSOs/NGOs are a pillar of social empowerment, and they hold a fundamental responsibility in social solidarity. Building on the concept of bottom-up solutions and active citizenry, the cooperation with the CSOs/NGOs is an important feature of the intervention. As guardians of social values and humanitarian principles, these organisations will be engaged to cooperate on the implementation of the intervention with the aim of improving, among others, information-sharing, awareness of social issues and the wider participation in community activities. UNDP Kosovo has identified several potential organizations to be considered as partners during project implementation.

Other stakeholders:

EUOK will provide political oversight and lead the selection of the sites for rehabilitation, repair, and beautification within targeted communities. In addition to the aforementioned stakeholders Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning; the Ministry of Local Government Administration, the Archaeological institute, Regional Centres, the Kosovo Council on Cultural Heritage, the IMC, also play a role in the process of protection of cultural heritage through their respective mandates. Other stakeholders are international organizations such as the OSCE, Council of Europe, EULEX, and Cultural Heritage without Borders.

Duties and Responsibilities

Management of the project, implementing activities by mobilising goods and services in accordance with UNDP POPP and the UNDP Kosovo Standard Operating Procedures:

1. Prepare annual project workplans and related sub-plans (procurement plan, quarterly plans if required, and others as necessary);
2. Lead and ensure timely and qualitative implementation of the work plan/activities;
3. Manage and monitor the project budget; ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports; ensue preparation of budget revisions as necessary;
4. Regularly monitor progress against the approved work-plan; identify changes in the external environment and promptly agree necessary solutions/actions with UNDP Office and the Project Board;
5. Provide leadership and advisory guidance to the project team, contractors, and implementing partners, on the discharge of duties and responsibilities with the overarching aim of reaching project objectives on time and as per the budget;
6. Assume managerial responsibility for project staff, including development and communication of roles and responsibilities, definition of reporting arrangements, and oversight of implementation of respective team work plans.

Monitoring of progress and risks, ensuring that changes are controlled and problems addressed; Reporting on progress including measures to address challenges and opportunities:

1. Prepare a project monitoring schedule plan, implement it, and update the plan (in Atlas and off-Atlas) as required;
2. Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified and submit new risks to the Portfolio Manager for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log;
3. Organize regular Board meetings and perform regular progress reporting to the Project Board;
4. 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, as per the agreed timetable;
5. Monitor the work of contractors and ensure they comply with the agreed standards and deadlines;
6. Ensure that staff and contractors follow agreed work plan;
7. Ensure reporting to the donor is prepared in a timely manner and the reports meet set standards;
8. Support the preparation of reviews and evaluations as defined in the project document;
9. Prepare final project reports and other required documents.

Coordination and liaising with the EU Commission in Kosovo and other partners/stakeholders:

1. Ensure full compliance with all EU reporting guidelines, and respect all reporting deadlines;
2. Develop and implement the Communications and Visibility plan in cooperation with UNDP Communications staff;
3. Update the EU Commission focal point on project implementation;
4. Create and maintain partnerships with institutional counterparts, stakeholders, and parties with vested interest in project target areas;
5. Work closely with the project partners and support the partnerships and advocacy activities in the area/sector covered by the project.

Ensure implementation of knowledge management activities

1. Regular exchange of information/experience with other projects, cross-learning and sharing results and good practices;
2. 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;
3. Capture lessons learnt during project implementation – a lessons learnt log can be used in this regard;
4. Participation in regular internal meetings;
5. Participation in training events, communities of practice, codifying and sharing knowledge.

Competencies

Core:

Innovation

• Ability to make new and useful ideas work
• Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them

Leadership

• Ability to persuade others to follow
• Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers

People Management

• Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
• Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others

Communication

• Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others

Delivery

• Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
• Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Technical/Functional:

Project and staff management

• Ability to successfully implement complex projects and manage a diverse team
• Level 5: Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise

Confidence building

• Ability to work in a multi-ethnic context and/or on confidence building measures
• Level 3: Implement & Manage: Exercises skills and knowledge independently, demonstrating ability to manage self and team responsibilities, in area of work

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• MA Degree or equivalent in international development, international relations, history, social sciences, management or other relevant fields.

Experience:

• Five years of relevant experience in project management: a formal project management qualification will be an asset;
• Experience in implementing and coordinating complex project/activities with diverse range of partners, in a multi-cultural context;
• Previous experience in programming and operations, ideally in a UNDP and/or EU project;
• Experience in cultural heritage protection and/or confidence building measures will be an asset;
• Experience of working in Kosovo and the Balkans will be an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English required. Working knowledge of Albanian or Serbian is an asset

Other:

• Extensive experience in project management, preferably in a multi-ethnic context particularly in the Balkans, may be accepted in combination with a BA and 7 years of relevant experience. Experience in providing technical and political advice on issues of cultural heritage is an advantage.

Application Instructions:

• Click on the "Apply now" button.
• Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation. You can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box.
• Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume. Instead of uploading your Resume, please submit a fully completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (P-11).
• System will only allow one attachment. All docs (P11, academic qualifications/diploma) should be included as one attachment
• Without the completed and signed P11, your application may not be considered. The UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded at this link: http://www.ks.undp.org/content/kosovo/en/home/operations/jobs