Project Associate [Open to internal and external applicants]

Better Than Cash
Better Than Cash

Full-time

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Posted on Sep 25, 2026
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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

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, working in more than 170 countries and territories. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, UNDP is committed to helping the country through strengthened national and local capacities to carry out political, economic, and social reforms and promote development. In the programmatic period 2026-2030, UNDP BiH supports the following programme priorities: (a) inclusive green growth; (b) development of human capital and (c) accountable institutions and social cohesion. This is also in line with cross cutting enablers (applied across all priorities): innovation, digitalization, development financing, SDG localization, and integrated solutions/portfolio approach to accelerate results and inclusivity.

The Energy and Environment Sector (EE) of the UNDP in Bosnia and Herzegovina implements projects in the field of Climate Change Mitigation, Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction and Environmental Development geared towards decreasing economic, social and territorial disparities and sustainable management of environmental and energy resources, and green jobs creation through coordinated approach by national and subnational actors. All interventions are realised in close collaboration with relevant government stakeholders, other UN agencies, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, private sector and civil society.

Under the supervision of the Project Manager/Principal Technical Coordinator (PM) the Project Associate will work on the Projects (i) Development of the First Biennial Transparency Report of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Fifth National Communication and Second Biennial Transparency Report as combined report under the UNFCCC (BTR1 – NC5/BTR2), (ii) Strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina climate action through development of NDC 3.0 and operationalization of the environmental information system (GCF Readiness) and “Strengthening Enhanced Transparency Framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBIT 2) and (iii) Strengthening Enhanced Transparency Framework in Bosnia and Herzegovina” (CBIT 2).

The Project Associate is expected to establish and maintain close cooperation with UNFCCC Focal Point for BIH, namely the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Construction, and Ecology of Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka.

The Project BTR1-NC5/BTR2 will enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to prepare and submit its First Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1) as stand-alone report and Fifth National Communication and Second Biennial Transparency Report (NC5/BTR2) as combined report, to meet its reporting obligations under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement in line with the Modalities, Procedures and Guidelines (MPGs) for the transparency framework for action and support referred to in Article 13 of the Paris Agreement (Decision 18/CMA.1) and the guidance on operationalizing the MPGs as per Decision 5/CMA.3. In addition, the project will also enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to prepare and submit its Adaptation Communication to the UNFCCC as a component of the BTR1 and NC5/BTR2 in line with Article 7 of the PA and Decision 9/CMA.1. The project will further strengthen technical and institutional capacity to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina mainstream climate change concerns into sectoral and national development priorities and to enable the Entity and State Level Governments to respond to international environmental obligations by strengthening and giving continuity to the institutional and technical capacity development that has been initiated and sustained by the National Communications, Biennial Update Reports and CBIT project/processes to date. The Project has been financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is directly implemented by UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina Country Office.

The GCF Readiness Project seeks to enhance the country’s climate governance architecture, making it more robust, responsive, and capable of delivering on both national and international climate commitments. It focuses on operationalizing the Conceptual Framework for Monitoring and Evaluation of Climate Change Adaptation Indicators, a core component of the Environmental Information System (EIS), to enable comprehensive, consistent, and policy-relevant climate and environmental data collection, including data on loss and damage. In parallel, the project supports the update and enhancement of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to incorporate more ambitious adaptation and mitigation targets. This process includes the development of a detailed Action Plan accompanied by a Financial, Investment, and Implementation Strategy, ensuring effective execution of NDC 3.0 and its mainstreaming across relevant sectors. The Project has been financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and is directly implemented by UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina Country Office.

The CBIT2 Project focuses on addressing key gaps and needs by providing support for the finalization and formal adoption of the legal frameworks required for effective MRV, alongside enhancing the institutional and administrative capacities needed for successful implementation. Additionally, the project will develop and deliver a capacity-building programme for relevant institutions, and at least 550 persons (280 women, 270 men) will be trained, ensuring sustainability and effective governance. Moreover, the project will improve data management systems and data collection methodologies for more accurate NDC tracking and reporting, as well as assist in the development of a Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory. These efforts will ensure that Bosnia and Herzegovina is well-equipped to meet its transparency obligations under the Paris Agreement and contribute to the country’s ability to report on climate change actions with accuracy and accountability. The Project has been financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is directly implemented by UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina Country Office.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the core functions of the Project Associate will include the following:

a) Support to project implementation, ensuring quality of business processes

  • Ensure business processes are in line with the UNDP regulations and rules and the UNDP internal control framework;
  • Supports Project Manager in preparation and implementation of procurement plans from the financial aspect;
  • Assists in the organization of field visits, missions, workshops, training, roundtables, conferences and study visits within the project;
  • Maintains and updates all administrative, personnel and financial files and records as well as general office files related to the project;
  • Assists in the preparation of draft job descriptions, requests for recruitments, interview minutes and requests for contracts as well as support;
  • Assists staff by processing requests for personnel-related documents in accordance with requirements of the organization;
  • Maintains the inventory of project assets/equipment and project correspondence and files;
  • Ensures completion of attendance records of project staff;
  • Organize travel and other logistics arrangements, in line with the project’s work plan.

b) Support to financial monitoring and management

  • Processes all financial transactions on the UNDP online Corporate Planning System, such as non-PO vouchers/ invoices, receipts, requisitions, customer/supplier info updates, project budget revisions, etc.;
  • Maintains the internal expenditures control system that ensures that vouchers processed are matched and completed; transactions are correctly recorded and posted in the online system;
  • Takes timely corrective actions on unposted vouchers, including the vouchers with budget check errors, match exceptions, unapproved vouchers;
  • Supports periodic and ad-hoc financial reporting to UNDP and other parties;
  • Regularly monitor expenditures and commitments against the Project budget and relevant plans, and provides finance-related information to support Project implementation and planning and recommend corrective actions when necessary;
  • Draft various correspondence concerning finance, operations and budgetary issues as required;
  • Assist team members, experts and consultants in liaison with UNDP Operations on financial and other operational matters;
  • Prepares information for evaluations or audit purposes.

c) Support to project planning

  • Collects, analyses and presents information for monitoring and evaluation of project implementation against project targets;
  • Compiles background information for the formulation of project work plans, draft annual/quarterly budgets, proposals on implementation arrangements, and drafts of quarterly project reports;
  • Support in the monitoring of the quality of delivery inputs provided by the consultants, beneficiaries and contracted companies and communicates findings to the supervisor;
  • Maintains timetables for the Project Board meetings and provides support to organizing and holding the meetings, including the preparation and dissemination of information and follow-up.

d) Support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing

  • Participates in the trainings for the operations/projects staff on Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures and organize briefings for the project staff where necessary on new internal procedures;
  • When necessary, provides guidance to project staff in business processes, administrative and other requirements and procedures;
  • Support the Project Manager in the dissemination and sharing of relevant data and lessons learned within the CO and regionally;
  • Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

e) Support in mainstreaming of gender equality

  • Support the Project Manager in mainstreaming gender equality in the Project implementation;
  • Support the Project Manager in preparing gender equality background materials for use in discussion, correspondence and briefing sessions;
  • Ensure that all the data, when collecting and compiling inputs relating to programme, are gender disaggregated;
  • In the preparation of meetings/consultations/trainings/commissions ensure a minimum of 30% participation of the other gender.


The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

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 & Technical competencies


Business Management

  • Monitoring & Evaluation:
    • Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view o make sure that they are being implemented effectively;
    • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
    • Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.
    • Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
  • Communication
    • Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
      Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Direction & Strategy

  • Negotiation and Influence
    • Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions and creates ‘win-win’ situations.


Finance

  • Budget management
    • Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Partnership management

  • Relationship management
    • Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Secondary Education is required.
  • University Degree (Bachelor´s degree) in Business, Economics, Public Administration or similar will be given due consideration, but is not a requirement.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 6 years (with Secondary Education) or 3 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of progressively responsible administrative or project experience is required at the national or international level.
  • Experience in support of implementation of business processes and quality assurance of business processes.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling web-based management systems.

Desirable Criteria:

  • Experience in preparation of financial reports and overviews.
  • Experience in technical, administrative, and operational support to project implementation.
  • Experience in collecting, compiling, and analyzing project data for monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and planning purposes.
  • Experience in liaising with consultants, service providers, government counterparts, and project stakeholders on operational and administrative matters.
  • Experience working with international organizations, development agencies, UN organizations, government institutions, or donor-funded projects.

Required Language(s)

  • Fluency in English and fluency in Bosnian, Croatian, or Serbian 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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

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Duties and Responsibilities
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