National Project Advisor (m/f)

Pristina, Kosovo

This role is part of the regional EU4FAST initiative, implemented across the Western Balkans under the Italian Ministry of Interior (IT MoI). Reporting to the Project Manager and working under the direct supervision of the Team Leader, the selected candidate will serve as the Project’s only representative in Kosovo. In this capacity, the person will independently coordinate and support activities at country level while remaining closely aligned with the regional Project team.

The position includes programmatic, administrative, and logistical support for the preparation and delivery of Project activities. It also involves following and reporting on developments, actions, and results connected to partner institutions engaged in combating migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings. Close cooperation with Project staff, Kosovo institutions, and international organizations is required across all Project-related work.

Main duties

Project Assistance

• Contribute to planning and implementation of the Project by carrying out programmatic, administrative, and logistical tasks linked to Project activities.
• Support Project staff in the preparation and organization of meetings with selected stakeholders.
• Assist the Project team throughout all reporting stages, including quarterly implementation reports and the country chapters for the Inception, Mid-term, and Final Reports.
• Gather, examine, and compile reports and inputs from Kosovo authorities related to Project activities, and support the review of Project documents such as action plans, progress reports, and proposals by providing comments and organizing received information.
• Take part in meetings and conferences with external partners as a representative of the Project and prepare reports and meeting minutes from those events.
• Maintain strong cooperation with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders in support of the Project’s goals.
• When required, track, evaluate, and report on the effects of activities, initiatives, and developments related to partner institutions working against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings.

Administrative Assistance

• Coordinate the planning, preparation, and implementation of meetings, training programmes, peer-learning events, and conferences by arranging all required administrative and logistical matters.
• Organize travel arrangements for the Project team and beneficiaries.
• Record relevant information in Project files and provide updates to Project staff when necessary.
• Prepare correspondence in English and the local language.
• Produce summaries of relevant documentation.
• Support a range of additional administrative tasks.
• Provide interpretation during meetings, seminars, and conferences, and translate documents, reports, correspondence, and press articles between English and the local language, while ensuring that the meaning of the original material is accurately preserved.
• Work in close collaboration with the relevant Project team to maintain consistency and coordination across Project activities.

Required qualifications, competencies, and experience

• Completed secondary school education, complemented by formal studies in law, social or political sciences, or languages.
• At least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in administration, together with knowledge of modern office procedures.
• Experience in project management and/or project support.
• Knowledge of the legislation of the country where the assignment is carried out.
• Full professional fluency in English and local languages, with excellent written and spoken communication skills; knowledge of Serbian or Italian is considered an advantage.
• Proven experience in simultaneous or consecutive interpretation and translation.
• Strong digital skills and proficiency in Microsoft applications such as Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Internet use. Familiarity with additional technological tools, digital platforms, AI-based applications, or project management software will be treated as added value.
• Ability to communicate effectively through different methods and with different levels of stakeholders.
• Capacity to take initiative, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Strong administrative, organizational, and planning abilities, along with experience in preparing reports and presentations in English and the local language.
• Solid background in similar international projects within a multicultural setting.
• Ability to handle public communication.
• Capacity to understand and respect all confidential classifications of government or official institutional documents, statements, and other information received in the course of duty.
• Knowledge of EU policies and institutions, EU Agencies, and international law-enforcement-related organizations.
• Previous work experience in local institutions, such as the Ministry of Interior, or in comparable EU projects will be considered an additional advantage.

Eligibility requirements

• No criminal convictions and no registered preventive, civil, or administrative measures in the criminal record, nor any offence that would prevent contracting with the Public Administration.
• Must not be subject to criminal proceedings.
• Must demonstrate independence and have no incompatibility or conflict of interest, whether financial, business, professional, or otherwise, with the Italian Ministry of Interior.

This vacancy is open only to citizens and permanent residents of Kosovo.

Please note that the role is financed under a European-budgetary Project running until 31 May 2027, subject to available funding. A possible extension until 31 December 2028 is currently under discussion and depends on funding and Project needs.

The selected candidate will be stationed at the Italian Project Office in Pristina and will work within 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)”.

Only candidates who move forward to the next recruitment stages will be contacted.

Candidates who are interviewed and assessed as suitable may be included in a roster of suitable candidates for fixed-term positions, valid for three years, if an appropriate opportunity becomes available. Inclusion in the roster does not ensure a future appointment or assignment.

Candidates are expected to demonstrate professional behaviour at all times in accordance with the values and standards of the Italian Ministry of Interior and the EU4FAST Project.

Expenses related to interviews, tests, visas, and relocation are not reimbursed by the IT MoI.

No payment is requested by the IT MoI at any point in the application or review process.

The Project reserves the right to re-advertise the vacancy, cancel the recruitment, offer an appointment at a lower grade, or propose an appointment with an adjusted job description or different duration.