Associate Political Affairs and Development Coordination Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The position is located in the UN RCO in BiH and reports to the RCO Head of Office. The Associate works closely with the Senior Economic on issues related socio-economic recovery and reform. The UN in BiH is in the midst of establishing an informal exchange platform within the international community, mandated by the BiH Governments, to rethink socio-economic issues and reform priorities for the country. Within delegated authority, the Associate, Political Affairs and Development Coordination, will support that multi-stakeholder dialogue process and help convening partners working on socio-economic issues. As part of this role, the Associate will conduct dedicated research on political and socio-economic issues in the country, liaise with Governments and international community counterparts, and advise the RCO and the UNCT on the most promising strategies for common initiatives. In addition to the focus on dialogue processes, the Associate will also support regular reporting on socio-economic developments in the country, inform the RC and UNCT on the promotion of sustainable resilient and inclusive growth in BiH, and assist in covering the UN efforts to support climate change adaption of the country.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Office, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: 1. Supports provision of advice to the RCO and UNCT on partnerships for implementation of the 2030 Agenda, mainly relating to socio-economic reform. a. Supports the RCO in the organization of stakeholder outreach, roundtables and policy dialogue on socio-economic recovery and reform. b. Provides substantive support to the Senior Economic Advisor in liaising with the BiH Governments, International Financial Institutes, and other partners to institutionalize multi-stakeholder coordination on socio-economic reform efforts for BiH. c. Support outreach and engagement with the private sector and other stakeholders affected by socio-economic issues to ensure an inclusive reform process that leaves no one behind. d. Supports liaison and joint activities with the International Financial Institutions to advance multilateral agreement on recovery and reform priorities, including the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. e. Supports the coordination between the UN in BiH and the EU in accordance with the 2022 UN-EU Joint Guidance on strategic dialogue to advance the localization and implementation of global frameworks aimed at the sustainable development of BiH in line with the SDG Agenda and Paris Climate Agreement.

2. Supports provision of research and advice to the RCO and UNCT on the promotion of sustainable resilient and inclusive growth, aligned with UN efforts to support climate change adaptation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. a. Contributes to advocacy, communication and coordination of UN operational activities related to sustainable resilient and inclusive growth in Bosnia and Herzegovina b. In collaboration with the RCO and UNCT, contributes to advocacy for reforms sup-porting the implementation of the NDCs in BiH. c. Supports the consolidation of an economic transformation agenda in BiH in line with SDG priorities, the EU accession process and other relevant policy frameworks.
3. Performs other related duties as may be required or assigned by the RCO Head of Office

☒ Communication ☒ Planning and Organizing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Working in Teams

sustainable development policy and stakeholder engagement required. • Experience in conducting analytical reviews and drafting written outputs to support decision making and policy formulation highly desirable. • Experience in supporting multi-stakeholder decision-making and coordination processes desirable. • Experience in data collection and analysis desirable. • Previous experience and/or demonstrated interest in the Western Balkans desirable

Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the largest urban centre, with an estimated population of 370.000. The city is situated along the Miljacka river and surrounded by the Dinaric Alps. The city is famous for its religious diversity, with Islam, Catholicism, Orthodoxy and Judaism coexisting there for centuries. There are no administrative or other restrictions, apart from visa (exceptions possible), on international staff members’ travelling to/within/from the country and restrictions imposed by COVID-19 pandemic have been lifted.

In general, regular medical facilities are available, with two main hospitals and a significant number of small private clinics. General sanitary and hygiene conditions are adequate. Good local banking facilities are available (use of credit cards, ATMs). Communication services (domestic and international) are available on a regular basis. Availability of food, furnishings and other necessities is adequate (various grocery stores and markets with fresh food products, shopping centres, etc). Public water supply, electricity and sewerage system are in place. Public transportation is available (tram, bus, trolleybus, taxi). The international airport is 20 minutes away by car from the UN building in Sarajevo and the city centre.

Sarajevo offers numerous cultural events. The most famous ones are the Sarajevo Film Festival, MESS (international theatre festival), the Jazz Festival, Sarajevo Winter, Bascarsija’s Nights in the summertime, Novi Grad’s Days, Agro-food, International Book Fair, etc. There are galleries and museums, sports facilities open for public use and annual international sports competitions. There are several Cinema multiplexes offering a rich repertoire of latest films, both blockbusters and masterpieces of independent cinema.

The United Nations designated state of alert for Bosnia and Herzegovina is Security Level 2, which is low and the second-lowest level in the Security Level System. The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is generally quiet; all international agencies consider threats to their staff to be low at this time. However, the country faces the same problems as much of Europe, from pickpockets to traffic accidents, so all staff must exercise appropriate personal security awareness and common sense. Bosnia and Herzegovina is still the country with the largest mine contamination problem in Europe. Staff are advised not to deviate from well-travelled routes while in the country. See http://www.bhmac.org.