Background

Kosovo's economy has shown great resilience to the economic crisis that the Western Balkans and Europe as a whole experience - growing by 5% in 2011 and projected to grow by more than 3% (in real terms) in both 2012 and 2013. Nevertheless, the continuous growth rates in the last couple of years are largely viewed as being unsustainable in the medium to long term if the economy does not resolve several macroeconomic and social imbalances. On the economic side, the current rates of consumption and investments driving GDP growth are largely financed by unsustainable sources (i.e. remittances and capital inflows from the diaspora, expansionary fiscal policy, donor funds, etc.). On the other hand, as far as the social dimension is concerned, available data suggests that economic growth has not been associated with any substantial decreases in the worryingly high rates of unemployment (44%) and poverty (29.7%). 

As Kosovo strives to advance its development agenda, it must simultaneously address both of these imbalances. While there is undoubtedly a need to sustain and expand both public and private financing for investments in infrastructure, human capital and technological upgrading – with the aim of, first and foremost, developing a vibrant and export oriented private sector – the success of such efforts is largely depended on whether there is sufficient social stability in the medium term to allow time for the set of complex and interrelated economic reforms to achieve their desired long-term effect. In addition, at a time when a large part of Kosovo's society remains excluded, often for lengthy periods of time, from income generating opportunities (whether employment or social assistance schemes), the improvement of their immediate living conditions represents not only a moral obligation, but also a deterrent to lackluster economic growth in the future, since long-term unemployment and prolonged life in poverty deteriorate the quality of a country's available human capital. 

As it moves forward, Kosovo needs to scale up the efforts to ensure a more inclusive pattern of economic growth – a pattern that will provide citizens with equal opportunities to benefit from economic growth and to be able to contribute to it. To this end, one of the essential priorities will be to ensure that economic expansion is associated with higher rates of job creation and employment. 

UNDP has extensive experience working with labour market issues in Kosovo, having successfully implemented the Employment Generation Project (2005 – 2006) and, since 2007, the Active Labour Market Programmes (ALMP). In close partnership with the Kosovo Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW), ALMP focused on developing the capacity of the public employment services (PES) to provide individualized and targeted labour market programmes, aimed at increasing the employment opportunities and employment prospects of disadvantaged youth. As UNDP continues to concentrate its programme strategy in improving youth employability and job creation through direct employment-supporting instruments, it recognizes the need to extend support at the policy level to develop and implement sustainable employment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Officer will execute duties and responsibilities outlined below:

1. Support the overall implementation of the ALMP2 projects,
2. Support implementation of activities related to enhancement of human resource capacities of Public Employment Services and Vocational Training Centres,
3. Coordinate the project results and develop first draft reports for project manager,
4. In close coordination with the project team, identify strengths and weaknesses in the implementation of the Operations Guidelines for On the Job Training Wage Subsidy, self-employment and other ALMM-s
5. Provide support to the Employment Counsellors and related partners on implementation of the Operational Guidelines for active employment measures,
6. Ensure provision of equal opportunities to women and men, and inclusion of other vulnerable groups such as minorities, women households, victims of domestic violence, repatriated persons in Kosovo etc.,
7. Review reimbursement requests and monitor disbursement of payments to implementation partners,
8. Be responsible for the field monitoring in the assigned Regions by the Project Manager to carry out implementation of AMLP2,
9. Ensure effective integration of activity related information in the project database,
10. Regularly review implementation of the related project activities in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses; utilize the data collected to increase the project efficiency,
11. Provide support to the short-term technical experts in delivering outputs specified in their TORs,
12. Support the Employment Services to make necessary updates to the Operations Manual in annual basis, as needed and in a timely manner.

Impact of Results 

• The Project Officer’s inputs will have a direct impact on the successful project implementation and the achievement of results. Specifically, the inputs will have an impact on the efficient delivery of activities, monitoring, and coordination and results reporting. 

Competencies

Functional Competencies: 

• Provides information and documentation on specific stages of projects implementation
• Strong report writing skills 
• Documents and tracks innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches
• Responds positively to new approaches
• Ability to maintain information and files in order, or at more advanced level, develop and implement data management 
• Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position
• Possesses knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
• Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Responds to client needs promptly

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity  
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment 
• Self-development, initiative-taking 
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work 
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively 
• Creating synergies through self-control
• Managing conflict
• Informed and transparent decision making
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism  
• Demonstrates experience in gender equality

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master degree (or equivalent) or BA degree on Business or Public Administration and Social Science will be required.

Experience:

• Minimum 4 years (in case of MA Degree 2 years) of relevant experience as per areas of responsibility of which a minimum of 2 years on project activity implementation Experience in handling of web based management systems;
• Some experience with active employment measures is considered an asset;
• Experience on procurement processes;
• 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. Fluency in oral written Albanian and Serbian is required.

Other: 

• Valid Driver’s license.

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/jobs.html.