Project Management Experts (2 Available Positions) – Support To Updating The Single Project Pipeline And Institutional Setup For ESIF Funds

Project Management Experts – Support To Updating The Single Project Pipeline And Institutional Setup For Esif Funds

For Project: Montenegro—Capacity Building and Improved Legal Harmonization, Performance and Efficiency within the Transport Sector Our project strengthens Montenegro's transport sector by enhancing institutional capacity, aligning national legislation with EU transport acquis, and advancing the preparation and implementation of priority transport projects.

The initiative focuses on improving strategic planning, legal harmonization in areas like road safety and maritime transport and developing priority infrastructure projects to a mature stage. These efforts contribute to creating a more efficient, sustainable, and EU-compliant transport system in Montenegro.

DAI is looking to recruit a Project Management Experts – Support to Updating the Single Project Pipeline and Institutional Setup for ESIF Funds (2 available positions)

This position supports Component 1 – Increased Management Capacity of Institutions Involved with Transport Policy Implementation under a broader project aimed at enhancing institutional effectiveness in Montenegro's transport sector. The focus is on improving programming, contracting, implementation, and monitoring capacities related to EU-funded projects, in alignment with the country's Public Administration Reform Strategy (2022–2026).

The expert will contribute to two key objectives:

1. Updating the Single Project Pipeline (SPP) for transport development projects
2. Strengthening the institutional setup for managing European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) in the transport sector

Key responsibilities include:

• For Objective 1 – Updating the SPP: Assess the current strategic framework for the SPP in the transport sector; Review existing project identification, assessment, and preparation procedures; Design and deliver a stakeholder SPP workshop and support preparation of a workshop report; Develop and disseminate a questionnaire to collect missing data from key institutions; Conduct interviews with stakeholders and consolidate feedback; Contribute to drafting an SPP Recommendations Report; Support consultations with Beneficiaries and the Ministry of Finance for validation of findings; Assist in the development of an online SPP tool and draft operational guidelines
• For Objective 2 – ESIF Institutional Setup: Prepare a tailor-made Stakeholder Engagement Plan for ESIF preparation; Analyze new ESIF regulations in comparison with IPA frameworks; Collect data through interviews and surveys on institutional experiences; Identify lessons learned and develop a Guidebook with practical recommendations; Prepare decision-making flowcharts to support ESIF implementation structures; Organize and facilitate a workshop on transport sector operational programming, with focus on performance monitoring and knowledge management; Contribute to drafting an ESIF Action Plan, including roadmap, timelines, and capacity-building recommendations

Deliverables include:

• SPP Workshop Report
• SPP Data Collection Questionnaire
• SPP Recommendations Report
• Online SPP Tool and Operational Guidelines
• ESIF Stakeholder Engagement Plan
• Institutional Setup Guidebook
• ESIF Process Flowcharts
• ESIF Workshop Summary
• Final ESIF Action Plan

Required Qualifications and Experience: Advanced degree in public administration, project management, economics, transport, or related field; Minimum 5 years of post-graduate experience and Minimum 3 years of professional experience in project management, preferably in the context of EU-funded or public infrastructure projects; Experience in preparing or updating Single Project Pipelines and advising on institutional setup for EU funds (e.g., IPA, ESIF); Strong understanding of transport sector governance, EU funding instruments, and public administration reform; Experience with stakeholder engagement, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives; Excellent analytical, communication, and reporting skills; Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Montenegrin/Serbian is an asset

Duration: September 2025- February 2028

Interested candidates should submit their CV and a brief cover letter not later than by 24th of August. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted!