Title: Associate Industrial Development Expert

​Requisition ID: 2123

Grade : L2

Country: Austria

Duty Station : Vienna

Category: Project-funded Professional and higher

Type of job Posting: Internal/External

Employment Type: Staff-Full-time Minimum Annual salary: USD 75,566 Application deadline: 24-May-2023

Vacancy Announcement TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL Female candidates from all Member States are particularly encouraged to apply.

I. Organizational Context

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Departments/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, oversees the Organization’s development of capacities for industrial development as well as industrial policy advice, statistics and research activities and the Organization’s normative contribution to Member States and global development community in achieving the SDGs. The Directorate also ensures the application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to Environment, Energy, SMEs, Competitiveness and Job creation, as well as Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute toward effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results and on realizing any potential for scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Directorate houses the technical Divisions of Capacity Development and Industrial Policy Advice (TCS/CAP); Circular Economy and Environmental Protection (TCS/CEP); Decarbonization and Sustainable Energy (TCS/DSE); SMEs, Competitiveness and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and AI Strategies (TCS/DAS). The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO) and the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET).

The Division of SME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME) works towards increasing the competitiveness of industries in developing countries and countries in transition, especially emphasizing business development of SMEs engaged in manufacturing and creating jobs therein. It aims at increasing competitiveness among SMEs in two interconnected ways: first, by modernizing businesses through the transfer of advanced technologies adapted to local conditions, product innovation, productivity improvement and upgrading, developing market and value chain readiness as well as improved access to finance; and second, by improving the quality of SME manufactured products and their compliance with market requirements through capacity building for the development of industrial production and trade-related quality infrastructure including for standardization, metrology, accreditation and of conformity assessment service institutions (testing, certification, inspection and calibration) and the strengthening of their capacities.

The position is located in SME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/SDJ). The SME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/SDJ) supports small and medium manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in Member States to take advantage of new technologies, business and organizational support, investment promotion, cluster development and partnerships to improve their businesses and improve their competitiveness.

The Associate Industrial Development Expert (L2) is expected to deliver: (a) work that contains in-depth analyses contributing to results achieved by the Department; (b) in creating an enabling environment for team work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to partnerships resulting in strategic collaborations and (d) in achieving results within a professional team.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her team in the office/country as well as in the region and in headquarters.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Director-General and in this context all staff are expected to serve in any assignment and duty station as determined by the needs of the Organization.

II. Project/Programme Context

Project ID 220009: Improving the standards compliance through increased national capacities for residue monitoring

After signing the DCFTA, Moldova has undertaken the task to adapt its national food safety legislation to the requirements of the relevant EU laws and regulations. In order to reduce the technical barriers to trade and to increase access to and trade with the EU market, Moldova needs to achieve a higher level of compliance with EU technical requirements such as standards, technical regulations and product-related directives and needs to upgrade related controls or conformity assessment.

The overall objective of this Action is to enhance national consumer safety and access to safe, healthy and nutritious food and to improve trade opportunities and create a conducive business environment for SMEs, thus contributing to resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economic development as well as paving the way to a fully-fledged Green Deal for the Republic of Moldova.

The specific objective of the Action is to increase national capacities for residue monitoring in animal feed and products of animal origin (pesticides, veterinary medicine, contaminants and prohibited substances).

The Action will pursue three technical Outcomes, thus responding to the limited capacity for residues monitoring and the main compliance challenges identified in the Republic of Moldova: Outcome 1: Improved practices of competent authorities (ANSA and MAFI) through good governance and revamped legal and regulatory framework.

Institutional strengthening of the ANSA and MAFI through capacity building, use of best practices, skills development, and implementation of management systems.

Outcome 2: Improved practices of national reference laboratories through expanded testing capacities, demonstrating proof of compliance.

Strengthening the National reference laboratories through capacity building, use of best practices, skills development, procurement of additional laboratory equipment and implementation of management systems, accreditation, and validation of methods to ensure quality and international recognition of their services with a focus on pesticide and veterinary drug residues.

Outcome 3: SMEs and FBOs application of best practises in compliance with standards and technical regulations in the value chains of meat, poultry and milk products are enhanced.

Improving compliance capacity and awareness through specialised training and capacity building for SMEs and FBOs

This Action is proposed in line with the European Green Deal and the Farm2Fork strategy and will directly contribute to the EU’s Annual Action Plan for 2021, in particular: Output 1.3: National capacities for residues monitoring in agri-food products increased

The Action will contribute to the accomplishment of the 2nd General Objective of the National Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy (SNDAR) 2023-2030 “Development of the food industry and diversification of markets”, and Food Security Strategy of the Republic of Moldova for 2023-2030.

The Action will promote SDG 2: Zero hunger, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production through its contribution to UNIDO Country Programme for Moldova 2019 – 2023 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) of the Republic of Moldova 2023-2027.

III. Responsibilities

The Associate Industrial Development Expert works under the overall guidance of the Chief, Division of SME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); the direct supervision of the Chief, SME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/SDJ) and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Division. She/he will be responsible for providing technical support to the smooth and timely execution of projects and be accountable for the achievement of project results as/if assigned. Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

•  In line with the guidelines and procedures governing the technical cooperation activities of UNIDO, formulate and execute technical cooperation projects/ programme related to the interest of the potential donors and within the mandate of the Division/Department.
•  Execute and monitor projects/ programme implementation activities and services, ensuring that assigned inputs are delivered on time at the right level of quality and within the allocated budget.
•  Prepare necessary inputs (consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, training arrangements, equipment specifications, etc.), monitoring progress in implementation, including if required missions to project site(s), as well as take part in oversight meetings in the field and at headquarters, and assist the Evaluation Group in its evaluations of projects/ programmes.
•  Support advocacy, communication and global forum activities related to the progamme/project and aimed at strengthening public relations, including the preparation of promotional materials, organization of media events, dissemination of information on the project activities through UNIDO/project website and network of UNIDO offices.
•  Support progamme/project specific fund mobilization activities.
•  Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

IV. Core Values and Competencies

Core Values

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key Competencies

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those, we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

V. Minimum requirements and desirable criteria

Education:

Advanced university degree in economics, international relations, engineering, business administration, development studies or other relevant discipline is required.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise:

•  A minimum of three (3) years of working experience, including some at the international level, in project execution or coordination, particularly in the areas of quality infrastructure, SME competitiveness and cluster development is required.
•  Experience in donor coordination and funds mobilization for technical cooperation projects is required.
•  Experience with and knowledge of EU rules and procedures for reporting of the EU-funded projects is required.
•  Experience evaluating needs, conditions and problems in the region of Europe and Central Asia, and in technical cooperation projects in the Republic of Moldova is required.
•  Experience with and knowledge of UNIDO procedures and practices is desirable.

Language Skills:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in or working knowledge of another official language of the United Nations, particularly Russian, is desirable.

NOTE: UNIDO professional level applicants are required to have served at least one year in their current position, if applying for a higher-level position. However, the seniority-in-grade requirements for applying for higher level positions, as per paragraphs 18 and 78 of the HRMF, have been waived.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO web site for details on how to apply: www.unido.org NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants: UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org