Development Cooperation Analyst, NPSA 8, part-time (90 %)

The Development Cooperation Analyst role at UNDP in Belgrade, Serbia, is a part-time position focused on supporting the Serbian government in managing Official Development Assistance (ODA) and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The analyst will conduct research, coordinate with stakeholders, track progress, and contribute to policy-making efforts. Responsibilities include preparing reports, organizing capacity-building activities, and fostering partnerships between government agencies, international organizations, and other relevant actors. Strong communication, analytical, and project management skills are required, along with fluency in Serbian and English. The position is under a six-month contract, with potential opportunities to contribute to broader UNDP initiatives.

- Job Identification23696
- Posting Date01/24/2025, 12:39 PM
- Apply Before02/07/2025, 12:39 PM
- Job SchedulePart time
- Locations Belgrade, Serbia
- AgencyUNDP
- GradeNPSA-8
- Vacancy TypeNational Personnel Service Agreement
- Practice AreaGovernance
- BureauRegional Bureau for Europe and the CIS
- Contract Duration6 months
- Education & Work ExperienceMaster’s Degree
- Required LanguagesSerbian and English Language
- Vacancy Timeline2 Weeks
Job Description
Background
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
The SDG Acceleration Framework Project, as a Development Services Agreement, is entered with the Government’s central authority – the General Secretariat of the Government, in order to provide services to a wider range of authorities at the national level, as the General Secretariat supports the work of the Government for general and operational affairs.
The Development Services Agreement between Government of Serbia and UNDP is envisaged to provide a framework for services requested by the Government, for ongoing initiatives of the Government, for which it bears full accountability. Most development services envisaged under the Agreement relate to support to policy making through research, advocacy or policy alternatives, aimed at fulfilling priorities as articulated in the Government plans, presented before Parliament, and in line with progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The Project includes, among the rest, support in promoting the acceleration of progress on sustainable development and launching a national programme of action on SDGs in the Decade of Delivery. The overall objective of the portfolio of activities is to meet specific needs of central authorities for SDG integration in all initiatives at the policy and institutional levels and in detailed planning and implementation including varied outreach activities related to promoting and monitoring SDG implementation to become fully aligned with the EU acquis.
Furthermore, the project provides support for establishment, organization and coordination of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) of the Republic of Serbia when prompted by inter-sectorial cooperation and coordination of the actual provision of developmental and humanitarian assistance. UNDP will provide this support through advisory services for managing official development assistance, gearing it towards greater contribution and impact on SDGs, including through dedicated Serbia-UNDP cooperation for granting projects through the UNDP system of country offices, thus contributing to the financing of Agenda 2030. The presented ToR shall contribute to implementation of this activity.
Duties and Responsibilities@vacancyspaces.com
Development Cooperation Activities:
- Actively participate in the realization of initiatives set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conceptualizing and implementing the system for provision of ODA.
- Conduct research, collect, analyze and report on other countries’ ODA systems.
- Track progress and identify key bottlenecks and take action to fast-track implementation of the initiatives related to ODA.
- Provide support in conceptualization and establishment of ODA financial data reporting systems.
- Act as a key liaison on specific topics related to ODA between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant institutions such as the General Secretariat of the Government, line Ministries, implementation agencies and other involved stakeholders. This includes maintaining good cooperation, communication and coordination between the national counterparts, project partners and other stakeholders, aimed to ensure relevance and quality of projects’ outputs.
- Preparation of regular updates and reports on progress, implementing issues, emerging risks/problems and proposals for necessary remedial action.
- As required, prepare official correspondence for national and international partners.
Project Implementation:
- Identify and collect relevant information, documents and data, compile and analyze data for further use in project management.
- Ensure effective coordination and implementation of selected activities/components in the areas relevant to the project.
- Prepare various documents, updates, talking points, presentations, reports and relevant communication materials, agendas for the meetings, background information relevant for discussions with stakeholders, keeping minutes of each meeting detailing participation, main points discussed, and conclusions reached.
- Maintain good cooperation and coordination between national counterparts, project partners, and other relevant stakeholders responsible for tasks pertaining to the project’s scope of work.
Provide support in the networking and partnership building, such as:
- Maintain regular contact with beneficiaries and service providers to ensure the relevance and quality of projects’ outputs.
- Support activities related to assessing the capacities and needs of government organizations and partners in close collaboration with national counterparts at both central and local levels.
- Maintain cooperation and communication with project’s partners and beneficiaries on the implementation of the agreed activities, especially for the events, trainings, workshops.
- Establish record with contacts, pursue networking and information sharing and to follow up on partnership related issues.
- Advise national partners on opportunities for enhancement of cooperation with relevant national and international partners.
Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy
- Organize training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
- Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners.
- Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Development Cooperation Analyst will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Portfolio Manager – Integrated Solutions.
Competencies
Core
Achieve Results: | LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline |
Think Innovatively: | LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements |
Learn Continuously: | LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback |
Adapt with Agility: | LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible |
Act with Determination: | LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident |
Engage and Partner: | LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships |
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: | LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination |
Cross functional and technical competencies
Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
Business Management | Partnerships Management | Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies. |
Business Management | Change Management | Initiate, design and ensure successful implementation of organisational change; prepare and support individuals and teams in implementing change |
Business Management | Operations Management | Ability to effectively plan, organise and oversee different parts of corporate operations, simultaneously and in an integrated way, in order to convert the organisation’s assets into the best results in the most efficient way. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms. |
Business Direction & Strategy | Systems Thinking | Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. |
External Relations and Advocacy | Communication-Advocacy Strategy and Implementation | Ability to create and implement advocacy strategies which lead to impactful change. |
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced University degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Management, Economics, Law, Public Administration, International Development, Project Management or similar is required
or - A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination of additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience:
- Applicants with Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in project management and operations management
Required skills:
- Experience in working with the wide range of stakeholders (private, government).
Experience in building strong relationships with clients and external actors.
Experience in the use of MS Office package, especially Excel and Power Point
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
- Experience in development cooperation activities
- Experience in strategic planning.
- Experience in business analysis and processes.
Required Language(s)
- Fluency in Serbian and English is required
The online application form must be fully completed. Applicants are required to carefully complete their online application form and reflect all of their work experience history in the application.
Only attaching a CV is not sufficient for applicants to be considered for positions. All applicants have to complete the Experience, Education, Language, and Nationality & Permanent Residence fields fully.
Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.
Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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The Development Cooperation Analyst position at UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) in Belgrade, Serbia, is a part-time (90%) role under a six-month contract. This role is designed to support the Serbian government in managing Official Development Assistance (ODA) and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The job falls under the NPSA-8 grade and requires fluency in both Serbian and English. The selected candidate will work within the Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS, specifically within the Governance practice area.
Background and Purpose of the Role
The SDG Acceleration Framework Project is a partnership between UNDP and the Serbian government, particularly the General Secretariat of the Government. This project aims to provide policy research, advocacy, and alternative policy proposals to support Serbia’s sustainable development efforts. The agreement between the Serbian government and UNDP ensures that UNDP provides services tailored to the government’s ongoing initiatives, helping to align Serbia’s policies with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and the EU accession process.
A key aspect of this initiative is the establishment and coordination of Serbia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) system. ODA refers to financial aid provided to developing countries to support economic development and welfare improvements. The Development Cooperation Analyst will play a critical role in ensuring that Serbia’s ODA system is efficient, transparent, and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This role involves a high level of collaboration between UNDP, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Secretariat of the Government, and various other stakeholders, including line ministries, agencies, donors, and international partners.
Key Responsibilities of the Development Cooperation Analyst
The responsibilities of the Development Cooperation Analyst can be broadly categorized into the following areas:
1. Supporting Development Cooperation Activities
The analyst will actively engage in initiatives led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conceptualize and implement an effective ODA system. Specific tasks include:
- Conducting research on other countries’ ODA systems and best practices.
- Collecting, analyzing, and reporting on Serbia’s ODA efforts and suggesting improvements.
- Identifying bottlenecks in the ODA implementation process and taking steps to address these challenges.
- Developing financial data reporting systems for tracking ODA allocations and expenditures.
- Liaising between different government institutions—such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, General Secretariat, and line ministries—to ensure proper coordination in ODA management.
- Preparing official correspondence for national and international stakeholders.
The overarching goal is to improve Serbia’s ODA system so that it meets international standards and contributes meaningfully to the country’s development goals.
2. Supporting Project Implementation
In addition to working on ODA policies, the Development Cooperation Analyst will be involved in the day-to-day management of UNDP-supported projects. Key activities include:
- Collecting and analyzing relevant data for project implementation.
- Coordinating activities across different departments to ensure effective execution of development projects.
- Drafting reports, updates, presentations, and official documents related to project progress.
- Organizing meetings with stakeholders and keeping track of key decisions.
- Ensuring smooth communication and collaboration between government partners, donors, and other organizations.
This aspect of the job requires strong project management skills and the ability to work across multiple teams and sectors.
3. Networking and Partnership Building
Another key responsibility is fostering collaboration between government institutions, international organizations, and other development partners. This involves:
- Maintaining regular communication with government officials, UN agencies, and civil society organizations.
- Assessing the needs of government institutions to tailor development assistance programs accordingly.
- Organizing and supporting events, trainings, and workshops related to development cooperation.
- Providing advice on enhancing international cooperation to maximize the impact of Serbia’s development efforts.
Building strong partnerships is essential for mobilizing resources and ensuring that development initiatives are well-coordinated and sustainable.
4. Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing
The Development Cooperation Analyst will also contribute to capacity-building initiatives, ensuring that government officials and stakeholders are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills. Specific tasks include:
- Organizing training sessions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events in collaboration with technical experts.
- Documenting and disseminating best practices to improve policy-making and project implementation.
- Advocating for development cooperation efforts through reports, presentations, and communication materials.
By promoting knowledge exchange and learning, this role helps strengthen Serbia’s institutional capacity for effective development cooperation.
Skills and Qualifications Required
To be considered for this position, candidates must meet the following requirements:
Education:
- A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Management, Economics, Law, Public Administration, International Development, or Project Management is required.
- Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in these fields must have at least two years of relevant professional experience.
Experience:
- For candidates with a Master’s degree: No prior work experience is required.
- For candidates with a Bachelor’s degree: At least two years of relevant professional experience in project management and operations management is required.
Required Skills:
- Experience in working with government institutions, private sector organizations, and international partners.
- Strong ability to build relationships with clients, stakeholders, and external partners.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.).
Desired Skills (Not Mandatory but Advantageous):
- Experience in development cooperation projects.
- Knowledge of strategic planning and business analysis.
- Experience in managing ODA-related activities.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in Serbian and English is required.
Competencies Expected in This Role
The ideal candidate should demonstrate the following competencies:
Core Competencies:
- Achieve Results – Ability to meet deadlines and deliver quality outputs.
- Think Innovatively – Open-minded approach to problem-solving.
- Learn Continuously – Willingness to learn from experience and improve.
- Adapt with Agility – Ability to handle change and uncertainty.
- Act with Determination – Commitment to overcoming challenges.
- Engage and Partner – Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion – Awareness of unconscious bias and respect for diversity.
Technical and Functional Competencies:
- Partnerships Management – Building relationships with governments, civil society, and private sector partners.
- Change Management – Leading and managing organizational change effectively.
- Operations Management – Planning and organizing development programs efficiently.
- Systems Thinking – Understanding how policies and projects interact within a broader system.
- Advocacy Strategy and Implementation – Promoting development cooperation through effective communication.
Application Process and Additional Information
Applicants must fully complete the online application form, including details about their education, work experience, languages, and nationality. Only attaching a CV is not sufficient for consideration.
Managers may request additional materials, such as reports, presentations, or other work samples, to assess the relevance of a candidate’s experience.
UNDP follows a strict non-discrimination policy, and all candidates will undergo rigorous background checks. UNDP does not charge any application, training, or processing fees, and applicants should be wary of fraudulent recruitment schemes.
Conclusion
The Development Cooperation Analyst role is an exciting opportunity for professionals looking to contribute to Serbia’s sustainable development agenda. This position offers the chance to work with government institutions, UNDP, and international partners to strengthen Serbia’s ODA system and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a focus on policy research, project management, and stakeholder engagement, this role is ideal for candidates with a background in public administration, economics, international development, or project management.

