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Programme Associate [Open to Tier 0, 1 & 2 applicants]
Better Than Cash
Belgrade, Serbia
Posted on Mar 11, 2026
Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
UNDP Serbia implements the Country Programme Document (CPD) 2026-2030, that draws on and supports the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The CPD has 3 strategic priorities: (a) Enhancing Resilient Communities and Protecting the Natural Environment; (b) Building a Knowledge-Based Economy and a Future-Ready Workforce; (c) Advancing Inclusive and Effective Governance.
As UNDP in Serbia operates in the EU pre-accession context, with the host government is incurring obligations to implement reforms on the EU path.
The Programme Unit works to support achievement of UNDP strategic objectives to create a world where people and planet thrive together, and to help the Resilience Cluster and Country Office act with both ambition and scale to address urgent problems facing the country as well as global climate deteriorating conditions. Programme staff assist the Resilience Cluster and Country Office in formulating and implementing programme strategies that go beyond solving immediate development challenges to create future smart and integrated systemic changes in resilience and capacity building within the country.
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Specialist – Resilient Development, the Programme Associate provides leadership in execution of services in the Resilience Cluster and supports the design, planning and management of the country programme. The Programme Associate promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.
The Programme Associate may supervise and lead the support staff of the Programme Unit of Resilience Cluster. The Programme Associate works in close collaboration with the Operations, Programme and project teams in the CO, UNDP staff in HQs and Regional Hubs, UN Agencies, government partners, and internal specialists to exchange information and resolve programme/complex finance-related issues.
UNDP adopts a portfolio approach to accommodate changing business needs and leverage linkages across interventions to achieve its strategic goals. Therefore, UNDP personnel are expected to work across units, functions, teams, and projects in multidisciplinary teams in order to enhance and enable horizontal collaboration
Duties and Responsibilities
Ensure effective management and implementation of programme strategies and policies, and adapt processes and procedures in Resilience Cluster
- Provide thoroughly researched information for preparation of Resilience Cluster and Country Program Documents (CPDs) and establishment of Baselines, Milestones and Targets (BMT).
- Compile information / evidence to guide future programming.
Provide effective support to management of the Resilience Cluster and Country Office programme.
- Support formulation of Cluster programme and projects, work plans, initiation of a project, entering project into ERP, and preparation of required budget revisions.
- Provide day-to-day guidance to implementing partners on implementation of projects, and track use of financial resources. Contribute to managing digital technology solutions in programme implementation towards scalability and sustainability in line with UNDP’s digital standards.
- Contribute to the effective management of data in programme implementation, across the data lifecycle. Follow up on programme and project performance indicators/ success criteria, targets and milestones, and preparation of reports. Implement corporate results-based management mechanisms and tools.
- Identify programme related bottlenecks and propose solutions.
- Make preparations for external and internal programme / project audits, and support implementation of audit recommendations.
- Provide support to the Programme unit by maintaining internal expenditure system and performing quality assurance review of financial reports and payments that includes following up with other units and taking timely corrective actions.
Support implementation of Resilience Cluster partnerships and resource mobilization strategies
- Collect information on donors, prepare donor profiles and maintain donor database.
- Track and report on mobilized resources
Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the Resilience Cluster.
In assigned programme areas:
- Organize and deliver programme related training for relevant programme and operations personnel.
- Compile lessons learned and best practices.
Provide sound contributions and support to knowledge networks, communities of practice, and digital knowledge platforms.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: May supervise support staff in Programme unit of Resilience Cluster
Competencies
Core Competencies:
- Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
- Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
- Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
- Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
- Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
- Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
- Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making
People Management Competencies:
- UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:
Business Management
- Customer Satisfaction/Client Management
- Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs.
- Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy.
- Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests.
- Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
- Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
- Risk Management
- Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks
- Results-based Management
- Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus on improved performance and demonstrable results.
Business Development
- Knowledge Generation
- Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
Procurement
- Contract Management
- Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.
Finance
- Budget Management
- Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary education is required
- A university degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement
Experience:
- Minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant progressively responsible administrative/management or programme experience is required at the national and/or international level. Experience in thematic area is desirable.
- Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), database packages, and web-based management systems such as ERP
Language:
- Fluency in the English language is required
- Fluency in the Serbian language is required
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
Scam alert
UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.
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Duties and Responsibilities