Capacity Building Senior Officer

Job Highlight

This home-based retainer position, Capacity Building Senior Officers (Integrated Territorial Development), is an excellent opportunity to contribute to integrated territorial development and capacity building within the Western Balkans, working directly with regional and local stakeholders to implement EU Cohesion Policy principles. The position offers a chance to apply specialized expertise in urban and spatial planning, strategic planning, and project preparation, while enhancing your skills in facilitation, training, and report writing within a dynamic international development environment.

About the Region

The Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR), based in Geneva, is responsible for the effective management, coordination and oversight of UNOPS operations across the region. The ECR region spans the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Türkiye, where UNOPS works with partners to achieve sustainable impact in health, education, environmental management, housing, rule of law, good governance, economic development, and social inclusion. With a wealth of experience in procurement, infrastructure, project and grant management, UNOPS in the region directly implements projects, provides technical advisory services and capacity building to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in support of national governments.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

The UNOPS South East Europe Multi-Country Office (SEEMCO) supports sustainable development in Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Based in Belgrade with strong field teams, SEEMCO delivers project management, procurement, infrastructure, HR, and technical assistance to governments, donors, and international financial institutions. Partnering with national institutions, local authorities, civil society, and media, it contributes to sectors such as infrastructure, socio-economic development, social cohesion, rule of law, environment, healthcare, education, digitalisation, energy transition, and governance. Since 2000, SEEMCO has advanced the EU integration agenda, national priorities, and the Sustainable Development Goals. It also provides emergency response, recovery support, and capacity building for institutions. Funders include the EU, European Investment Bank, governments of Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro, as well as UN agencies such as UNHCR and UNEP.

Job Specific Context

The EU Support to Integrated Territorial Development – EU INTEGRA strengthens governance and fosters balanced socio-economic development in Serbia through an integrated territorial development approach. Funded by the European Union (EU) through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) 2024, the Programme is implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of European Integration (MEI), with two implementing partners: the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

EU INTEGRA builds on the achievements of the EU PRO Plus Programme (2021–2025), which introduced the Integrated Sustainable Territorial Development (ISTD) model to Serbia, developed 12 territorial strategies, funded 18 integrated projects, and strengthened alignment with EU Cohesion Policy and Chapter 22 of the EU acquis.

Targeting 144 local self-governments (LSGs) and regional development agencies (RDAs) across Šumadija and Western Serbia, Southern and Eastern Serbia, and Vojvodina, the Programme promotes the development and implementation of integrated projects through capacity building, technical assistance, and support for the use of EU territorial instruments such as Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI).

Through its two complementary components, EU INTEGRA aims to modernise public administration, enhance strategic planning, and prepare Serbia’s institutions for efficient use of future EU structural funds. The development of new territorial strategies, in line with EU Cohesion Policy 2021–2027 and Serbia’s Sustainable Urban Development Strategy until 2030, represents a key milestone in this process.

Role Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Officer for Capacity Building and coordination of the Capacity Building Specialist for ISTD, the Capacity Building Senior Officers (Integrated Territorial Development) will be responsible for the provision of technical assistance to the Programme and respective territories in developing territorial strategies in line with European Union Cohesion Policy and designing and delivering activities aiming to support strategic planning process.

In order to support place based approach and to enhance capacities of the regional and local level to apply integrated territorial development, the Programme is recruiting Capacity Building Senior Officers (Integrated Territorial Development) with specialised professional backgrounds. The Programme will strengthen current teams by the pool of additional experts to support interdisciplinary working groups in development of territorial strategies, for the territories previously selected through a transparent process.

Therefore, the Capacity Building Senior Officers should be specialised in one or more of the following fields:

• Urban and spatial planning
• Integrated territorial development
• Strategic planning
• Project identification and preparation
• Capacity building

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Contributing to the introduction of place based approach and integrated sustainable territorial development
• Development of training materials and conducting training on following topics, but not limited to: SWOT, identification of needs and priorities, definition of objectives and measures and priority areas of intervention.
• Contribution to design of the questionnaire to be used for preparation of the contextual analysis urban/territorial development topics for respective territories and conducting development of contextual analysis
• Performing review of existing relevant documentation and statistical data relevant for analysis of territorial context for assigned territories
• Conduct development of contextual analysis on urban/territorial development topics for assigned territories
• Preparation the proposal of preliminary contextual analysis, SWOT and identified needs based on collected data for assigned territories
• Conducting five thematic round tables per assigned territory related to presentation of preliminary contextual analysis, SWOT and needs and consolidate material upon received feedback
• Guidance of the strategic planning processes and facilitation of work of working groups for development of territorial strategies
• Review and revision of material and parts of the territorial strategies prepared by the working group, and finalise draft territorial strategies
• Leading and facilitating the identification of integrated strategic projects derived from priority areas of intervention within territorial strategies
• Conducting presentations of draft territorial strategies within public insight procedures in assigned territories
• Finalisation of territorial strategies for adoption upon received remarks under public insight procedure
• Timely production of monthly progress reports, training evaluation reports and additional reports on the progress of activities on as needed basis and positively assessed by the Senior Officer for Capacity Building
• Performing other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

Skills

Analytical Skills, Capacity Building, Comprehensive Planning, Facilitation, Project Management, Report Writing, Strategic Planning, Training Delivery, Urban Design

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required:

Master Degree in Urban/Municipal/Spatial Planning, Urban Development, Architecture or related field is required. A Bachelor's degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the master’s degree.

Experience Requirements

Required:

• Minimum two years of experience in strategic planning and/or urban/spatial planning conducted in participatory manner is required

Desired:

• Experience in use of graphic tools for preparation and design of thematics maps is an asset
• Experience in working under the framework of EU Cohesion Policy, EU negotiation process and relevant national documents and Laws is an asse

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirementEnglishFluentRequiredSerbianFluentRequired

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.