Capacity Building Specialist for Environment and Climate Change areas

The Project “Support to European Integration of North Macedonia” is designed to support North Macedonia’s accession negotiations and successful management of the overall European Union (EU) integration process. The Project is funded by the Swiss Government through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). 

This Project is part of a larger intervention supporting the EU accession process of North Macedonia, together with the complementary activities funded by Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) which was launched on 1 September 2023,  and by the Secretariat for European Affairs, launched on 1 January 2024. It will also build on the momentum generated by the predecessor, “Nordic Support for Progress in North Macedonia” (the Predecessor Project) implemented by UNOPS, which was co-funded by Sida and Norway, and as confirmed by the Final Evaluation, effectively supported the EU integration process. 

Within this context, while building on the momentum created by the predecessor, the Project will enhance the institutional, technical, and administrative capacity of the Government to conduct EU accession and will contribute to enhanced communication of the EU accession negotiation  process to the public. The overall objective will be achieved through the delivery of two coherent Results.

Specifically, Result 1 will strengthen capacities of national institutions supporting the EU accession through provision of TA and capacity building to the Government Coordination Mechanism for Accession Negotiation. Support will facilitate effective alignment of national legislation with the EU acquis and its implementation, while at the same time facilitating engagement and contributions form relevant stakeholders, and exchange of experiences and cooperation with the EU Member States and countries from the region.

Functional Responsibilities

• Within the duration of the assignment, the Capacity Building Specialist is expected to conduct a Training Needs Assessment to identify knowledge gaps and training requirements across the MoEPP and the negotiation structure (working groups on Chapter 27), develop a Capacity Strengthening Plan and organise and lead interactive workshops and training sessions identified within the TNA tailored to the specific needs of MoEPP and other institutions part of the negotiation structure in the area of Chapter 27 Environment and Climate Change.

In particular, the Specialist will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

Design and conduct Training Needs Assessment (TNA) to identify knowledge gaps and training requirements. This assessment will serve as the foundation for tailored capacity building initiatives. 

Based on the findings from the TNA, the Specialist will formulate a detailed Capacity Strengthening Plan aimed at:

• Enhancing the administrative capabilities of the MoEPP and negotiation structure
• Tracking other capacity building activities across the structure, documenting outcomes, lessons learned, and providing recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Identify potential areas of cooperation with the MEA Training Center in planning and delivery of capacity building activities.
• Identifying needs for future interventions and ensuring alignment with project objectives.
• Organise and lead interactive workshops and training sessions to  empower participants with the requisite skills and knowledge to effectively engage in EU integration processes, including legislative alignment, implementation and enforcement responsibilities.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education 

• Advanced University Degree preferably in Environment, Public Administration, Law, Engineering, Management, Economics, Development Studies, or other or other relevant discipline is required
• A Bachelor’s degree with a combination of five  years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s Degree

Work Experience 

• Minimum five years of experience in developing HRM practices/tools/training programmes and/or implementation of the capacity building/ training activities is required
• At least 2 assignments in capacity building activities in the area of environment law is required
• Previous engagement with or within negotiation structures related to European integration issues is strongly desirable
• Familiarity with legislative processes, EU acquis screening, and law approximation would be an asset

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Macedonian and English (speaking, reading and writing) is required
• Knowledge of Albanian is an asset

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29159