Title: National Project Coordinator

​Requisition ID: 2064

Grade: SB5 – Local Professional (Mid-Level & Senior)

Country: Moldova, Republic of

Duty Station: Chisinau

Category: National Consultant Type of Job Posting: Internal/External

Employment Type: Non-staff Regular Contract Duration: 7 months (with the possibility of extension) Application deadline: 24-May-2023

Vacancy Announcement TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL

Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible. Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.

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).

This position is located under the SME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/SDJ) which 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.

PROJECT 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.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager in HQ and close cooperation project team in the field and HQ, the National Project Coordinator will be responsible for the overall coordination/implementation, monitoring/evaluation and reporting of the project. Specifically, the National Project Coordinator will perform the following duties: MAIN DUTIES

Project Coordination and Implementation

Advise the Project Manager on preparing detailed work plan and budget, design monitoring and evaluation tool for the project activities;

Coordinate the execution of all activities leading to the successful implementation of the project in the country, including implementation, quality control and monitoring of all project activities in the country;

Liaise with government counterparts, provide regular updates, financial reports and troubleshot problems as required;

Attend key meetings related to the project and act as the focal point of the project at national level;

Organize and conduct briefings and debriefings on projects for the country, sub regional aspects, resources and development towards maximizing project performance level;

Coordinate the preparation of ToRs for recruitment of international and national project consultants and contractors;

Supervise the work of the local project team assigned to work on the project and/or to perform ad-hoc activities;

Coordinate the preparation of technical requirements/technical specifications for procurement, including designing of technical requirements, elaboration of

relevant questions from tenders, evaluations, etc. ensuring compliance with the relevant UNIDO administrative rules and policies;

Take project initiatives to enhance the success of the programme including partnerships opportunities with private sectors;

Maintain close links with other private sector development initiatives to ensure a consistent and integrated approach.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

Provide inputs for strategic advice in the elaboration of the operational planning and monitoring system for the project;

Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation for the activities of the project using appropriate tools with output verifiable indicators;

Execute the administrative and financial monitoring of the project and its activities;

Coordinate the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reporting for the programme according to donor specifications and UNIDO requirements;

Support the preparation of steering committee meetings (SCs) and provides relevant documentation, including reporting, drafting TORs of the Steering Committee based on UNIDO templates and if required act as Secretary of the PSC;

Coordinate the preparation of a final report at the end of the contract comprising all relevant information compiled from the interim reports, conclusions and recommendations;

Lead the coordination and preparation of steering committee meetings (SCs), including preparing ToRs.

External Relations

Maintain networks and partnerships with national institutions, private sector, UN project partners;

Final phase

Prepare a consolidated final report of the programme/project in close consultation with all the stakeholders and submit to UNIDO by the end of the programme/project.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in engineering, sciences, economics, business administration, international relations or other relevant discipline is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

•  At least seven (7) years of professional experience in coordinating the implementation of development/technical cooperation programmes/projects at national level is required.
•  Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems of the Republic of Moldova is required.
•  Experience in quality infrastructure and SME development is required
•  Experience/knowledge of other development agencies, donor communities, private sectors, government and relevant institutions in the Republic of Moldova is desirable.

Languages Fluency in written and spoken, both English and Romanian, is required. Fluency in or working knowledge of Russian is required. Fluency in or working knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

REQUIRED 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.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal. Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

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 website 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