Capacity Building Officer for Licensing of Civil Society Organisations (two retainer positions)

Mid Leadership

Overview

Support licensing capacity of Civil Society Organisations for social protection services.

You have:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Law, Public Administration, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or relevant field is required.
• Master Degree in relevant discipline will be considered an advantage.
• Minimum two years of work experience related to social protection policies and implementation in Serbia is required.
• Experience in preparing and implementing capacity development training and/or workshop programmes is required.
• Experience in working with the civil sector will be an asset.
• Fluency in Serbian and English is required.
• Driving license and ability to travel independently is required.

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-8 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-8 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The PRO-Local Governance for People and Nature Programme, is designed to contribute to improving the well-being and quality of life of citizens through improved local governance, social inclusion and environmental protection in 99 cities and municipalities in two regions: Šumadija and Western Serbia and Southern and Eastern Serbia. The Government of Switzerland has allocated CHF 9 million to fund the Programme which will be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in partnership with UN agencies (1) over a period of 48 months.

To achieve the Programme’s Objective, the intervention will focus on three key Pillars and Outcomes:

1. Pillar Good Governance, Outcome 1: LGs improve capacities and apply good governance principles in practice;
2. Pillar Social Inclusion, Outcome 2: LGs and other relevant local actors improve capacities and develop evidence-based local social protection policies;
3. Pillar Environmental Governance, Outcome 3: LGs improve capacities and apply environmental governance processes in practice.

The key stakeholders, but also direct users of support at the local level, will be local governments (cities and municipalities), including their administrations/staff, organisations, and local institutions (Centres for Social Work - CSWs, Primary Health Centres - PHCs, pre-school institutions and schools), local Civil Society Organisations – CSOs. The final users of support will be the citizens from participating LGs from the Region of Šumadija and Western Serbia, and the Region of Southern and Eastern Serbia.

All Programme activities will be undertaken in partnership with the Government of Serbia, especially the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Governments (MPALSG), the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs (MLEVSA), the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP), and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM).

The Programme will coordinate its activities with the key line-national-level institutions, while observing the national strategies, laws and relevant development documents, which will contribute to sustainability, ensure national ownership and develop national capacities.

(1) UN Agencies as implementing partners: UNICEF, UNFPA, UNEP

Background Information – relevant for the assignment

The CSOs will be selected through an open Call for Expression of Interest, when CSOs will elaborate the interest for licensing, the type(s) of social protection services they are planning to set up and experience in provision of services. The priority will be given to those from undeveloped or less developed municipalities with lack of pluralism of service providers. The technical assistance (TA) will be exclusively focused on licensing processes related to four services from two categories of services: a) daily care centre, home care and personal companion of child with disabilities from category daily community services, and b) personal assistance of child with disabilities from category support services for independent living. The ultimate intention of the TA is to lead to increased capacities of CSOs for the licensing process for service providers of social protection services, their initiation of licensing process and ultimately issuing of licences. This will contribute to diversification of social service providers at the local level, thus contributing to the quality of services and the quality of life of social services end-users.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Officer for Social Inclusion, the Capacity Building Officer for Licensing of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) (the Officer) will be responsible for conceptualisation and provision of TA to up to eight CSOs for the licensing process for service providers of social protection services. The Officer will contribute to strengthening of participating CSOs` capacities that would lead to their licensing as service providers for provision of social protection services. The Officer will undertake these activities/responsibilities:

Preparatory activities:

• Study the Programme document and acquire necessary understanding of the context and the Programme’s objectives
• Prepare detailed approach for implementation of the TA as well as detailed work plan for implementing the activities that must include, among other, visits and consultations with the selected CSOs
• Consult with the competent representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veterans and Social Affairs (MLEVSA) and Republic Institute for Social Protection (RISP).

Delivery of technical assistance:

• Delivering the two-day workshop:
• Facilitate and delivery two-day workshop
• Develop the approach, methodology, workshop agenda and other relevant material for the workshop. The approach should apply participatory approach in communication with all workshop participants;
• The main, but not exclusive, topics of the workshop should cover: normative framework for licensing process, minimum structural and functional standards of services pertained to technical assistance including specification, target group and programme activities, procedural steps of licensing process and needed documentation for issuing a licence, type of licence and its duration;
• Prepare the workshop report.

Provision of mentoring support: - Visit up to eight selected CSOs and consult with the key contacts of selected CSOs regarding current capacities, common local needs, type of social protection services for issuing of licence and conditions which should be improved to meet the criteria for licensing - Prepare concept/tailor-made plan for capacity development of each selected CSOs to develop new or enhancing the existing CSO capacities for licensing - Identify issues and areas that need special attention and suggest measures for re-alignment to the Programme - Support in preparing relevant templates for licensing process - Support improving the knowledge and capacity of CSOs for the licensing process and for their role of social protection service providers in local communities.

Delivering three-day workshop: - Develop the approach, methodology, workshop agenda and other relevant material for the workshop. - Facilitate and delivery a three-day workshop - The three-day workshop should serve as a simulation of the practical part of submitting a request for licensing along with consideration of individual cases in more detail. - Prepare workshop report

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - Bachelor’s Degree preferably in Law, Public Administration, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or relevant field is required. - Master Degree in relevant discipline will be considered an advantage

Work Experience

• Minimum two years of work experience related to social protection policies and implementation in Serbia is required.
• Experience in preparing and implementing capacity development training and/or workshop programmes is required.
• Experience in working with the civil sector will be an asset

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Serbian and English is required

ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A CV AND COVER LETTER INDICATING A PREFERENCE IN TERMS OF DUTY STATION ALONG WITH THEIR APPLICATION.

Certifications

• Driving license and ability to travel independently is required

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational 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.

Contract type, level and duration

********This is a local position, it is therefore open to nationals of Serbia and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.********

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) - retainer Contract level: Local ICA, Level 8 Contract duration: Up to 60 working days in the period of one year

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• 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.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority 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 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. For more information on a retainer contract 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.

Background information – UNOPS Serbia

The UNOPS Republic of Serbia Multi Country Office (RSMCO) is implementing 12 projects in Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro.

In Serbia, where UNOPS has been active since 2000, and North Macedonia and Montenegro where UNOPS works since 2017, the organisation provides support in demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union. The projects focus on sustainable socio-economic development, good governance, social cohesion, environment and emergency response. The projects are implemented with the funding from the European Union (EU), Kingdom of Norway, Governments of Switzerland, Sweden and North Macedonia.

All projects have gender equality as a transversal theme, and have been contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org