National Project Advisor

We are advertising the following position for the project EU Support to Strengthen the Fight against Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings in the Western Balkans (EU4FAST), Italian Ministry of Interior (IT MoI) (hereinafter, Project).

  National Project Advisor (m/f)

Belgrade, Serbia

The Candidate will operate under the overall guidance of the Project Manager, and direct supervision of the Team Leader. The candidate will provide necessary programmatic, administrative, and logistical support for the preparation and implementation of the Project and also contribute to other Project activities, such as monitoring and reporting on proceedings and police operations in organized crime cases related to migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings. In addition, the candidate will work in close coordination with the Project staff, Serbian institutions, and other international organizations on all Project activities.  

The successful candidate will be tasked with the following duties:

Project Assistance

• Supporting and contributing to the Project planning and implementation by carrying out programmatic, administrative, and logistical tasks in relation to the Project activities;
• Assisting the Project staff in preparing and conducting meetings with selected stakeholders;
• Assisting the Project staff in all phases of reporting on the Project activities, including the quarterly Project implementation reports, as well as “country chapters” for Inception, Mid-term, and Final Reports;
• Collecting, reviewing, and compiling reports and inputs from Serbian authorities related to the Project activities and contributing to the review of Project documents such as action plans, progress reports, and proposals by providing comments and managing information received;
• Attending meetings and conferences with external partners in the capacity of a representative of the Project and writing reports and minutes on such events;
• Maintaining close ties with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders to help achieve the Project’s objectives;
• Monitoring and reporting on proceedings and police operations in organized crime cases related to migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings when necessary;

Administrative Assistance

• Coordinating the planning, preparation, and implementation of meetings, training programs, peer-learning events, and conferences by preparing all necessary administrative and logistical arrangements;
• Organizing travel arrangements for the Project team and beneficiaries;
• Entering relevant data into the Project’s records and providing related updates to Project staff when needed;
• Drafting correspondence in English and Serbian language;
• Preparing summaries of relevant documents;
• Assisting with other various administrative duties;
• Providing simultaneous and consecutive interpretation in meetings, seminars, and conferences and translation of documents, reports, correspondence, and press articles from English to local language and vice versa; this also includes reading through original material and rewriting it in the target language ensuring accuracy and retention of the meaning of the original source material;
• Working closely with the relevant Project staff to ensure coherence and coordination in Project activities relating to the Project.

Necessary Qualifications, Competencies and Experience

• Completed secondary school education, supplemented by formal studies in law, social/political sciences, or languages;
• Minimum five (5) years of relevant work experience in the field of administration and knowledge of modern office procedures;
• Project management and/or project support experience;
• Knowledge of the legislation of the country where the duty is carried out;
• Professional fluency in English and the local languages with excellent communication (both oral and written) skills; knowledge of Italian is an asset;
• Established simultaneous/consecutive interpretation and translation experience;
• Digital literacy and proficiency in using Microsoft applications (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and the Internet.
• Ability to communicate effectively at a number of different levels and methods;
• Ability to use own initiative and work under pressure and to respect deadlines;
• Strong administrative, organizational and planning skills and experience in producing reports and presentations in English and local language;
• Solid experience from similar international projects in a multicultural environment;
• Ability to manage public communication;
• Ability to understand and respect all confidential classifications of any government or trade documents, statements or other information he/she may be given during the exercise of his/her duties;
• Knowledge of EU policies and institutions, EU Agencies and International law enforcement related Organizations;
• Previous work experience in local institutions (e.g. Ministry of Interior, etc.) or in similar EU projects is considered an additional asset.

Eligibility Requirements

• No criminal convictions and no measures concerning the application of preventive measures, civil decisions and administrative measures registered in the criminal record or for any crime which determines the inability to contract with the Public Administration;
• Not subjected to criminal proceedings;
• Have the requirement of independence and no condition of incompatibility or conflict of interest (financial, business, work or other relations) with the Italian Ministry of Interior.

NOTE: Please note that this position is funded under a European-Budgetary Project, which runs until 31 May 2027, subject to receipt of funds.

Should you be selected for the position, you will be based in the Italian Project Office in Belgrade, and you would work under the EU4FAST Project “EU Support to Strengthen the Fight against Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Human Beings in the Western Balkans (IPAIII/2023/442-774), Italian Ministry of Interior (IT MoI)”.

For more detailed information on the structure and work of the EU4FAST Project, please see: .

Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Candidates interviewed and found suitable in the recruitment process for this vacancy notice will be placed on a roster of suitable candidates (valid for three years) for fixed-term posts, should a suitable opportunity arise. The placement on a roster does not guarantee a future appointment or assignment.

Candidates should be aware that IT MoI officials shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the status of an international civil servant. This includes avoiding any action which may adversely reflect on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as officials of the IT MoI.

Please note that for this position the IT MoI does not reimburse expenses such as travel in connection with interviews, tests, visas and relocation.

Please be aware that the IT MoI does not request payment at any stage of the application and review process.

The closing date for applications is December 10 th .

Note: Please be informed that only short-listed candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview. Thank you for understanding.