Project Management Support - Advisor on EU Accession Negotiation (Retainer Position)

Functional Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head of Programme through Project Manager, the PMS Advisor will provide strategic advice to the Government Negotiation Structure, Chief Negotiator, Core Negotiation Team, the Ministry for European Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and other ministries in regards to coordination of EU accession process, strategic planning and aligning future actions with the accelerated integration and “phasing-in” to individual EU policies, the EU markets and EU programmes. 

Based on the characteristics of the EU integration process but also the “accelerated integration” as defined in the official EU documents, the PMS Advisor will provide advice for the processes that are currently underway and/or planned, with special attention to the substantial reforms needed in line with the revised methodology, harmonisation processes and the required mechanisms, both from a policy and an institutional perspective. S/he will provide technical expertise and advice in streamlining processes and development of documentation, while reflecting good experiences from the region. 

The PMS Advisor’s support will focus on the following strategic aspects of the EU integration process: 

• EU Membership Negotiations
• Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP). 
• Revised Enlargement Methodology
• EU Policy and various Chapters of the EU Acquis Communitaire
• Networking with EU institutions
• Implementation of the Growth Plan for the Western Balkans and Reform Agenda 
• EU Funding
• Cooperation mechanisms with the media, CSO, academia, private sector and youth.

The selected candidate will perform functions as follows: 

• Provide technical expertise and advice on SAA process
• Provide technical expertise and advice to the beneficiaries on the EU negotiations, in the line with the revised enlargement methodology, negotiating framework, negotiation positions, roadmaps and benchmarking, derogations and transitional arrangements, while reflecting on good practices and lessons learned from the region
• Provide technical expertise on EU alignment process in line with EU Policy and the reforms under various Chapters of the EU Acquis Communautaire
• Provide advice and support development of legal and operational documents (decisions, procedures, guidelines, instructions etc.), to support the efficient functioning of the negotiation structure in accordance with the country’s Negotiating Framework, based on good practices and lessons learned from accession process;
• Provide technical expertise regarding networking with the EU institutions, and facilitate the access to the relevant EU institutions
• Provide technical expertise and advice on the implementation of the Reform Growth Facility for WB (RGF) instrument, its coordination and control mechanism and implementation of RGF Regulation on a needs based cases
• Provide technical expertise and advice on efficient stakeholder engagement in the EU accession process, including on the role and cooperation with other stakeholders such as the Assembly, media, civil society, chambers and business community, academia and other institutions involved in the process

Education 

• Master’s degree preferably in Law, Economy, Political Science, European Studies, International Relations or other relevant discipline is required
• Bachelor’s degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree

Work Experience 

• At least seven years of working experience as head and/or member of EU accession negotiation team is required
• Experience in direct coordination, negotiation and organisation of the accession negotiations is required  
• Experience in preparation and participation in screening exercise, negotiation positions and of Intergovernmental Conferences would be an asset
• Diplomatic experience working in Brussels based Permanent representation office would be an asset
• Experience in overseeing implementation of Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) would be an asset

Language Requirements

• Fluent knowledge of English language (speaking, writing and reading) is required