Industrial Development Expert

​Requisition ID: 3127 
Grade: L3 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: Project-funded Professional and higher 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term - 200 series
Indicative Minimum Annual Salary: 64,121 USD USD 
Application Deadline: 23-Jan-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)  

Vacancy Announcement
THE APPOINTMENT IS LIMITED TO THE SPECIFIED PROJECT(S) ONLY AND DOES NOT CARRY ANY EXPECTATION OF RENEWAL. 
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Detailed information on the project can be found at UNIDO’s Open Data Platform: https://open.unido.org/

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 Divisions/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. 

This position is located under the Division of Digital Transformation and AI Strategies (TCS/DAS) that promotes digital transformation and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) associated technologies (including cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), industrial Internet of things, additive manufacturing, big data, blockchain, e-commerce, and others) as part of innovation ecosystems consisting of productive capacities in manufacturing, services and digital firms, with the purpose to advance the competitiveness of industries and manufacturing firms in Member States. It helps industries to benefit from the rapid progress in digital and convergent technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), ensuring a smooth transition towards safe and secured cyber-physical industrial systems and a smart society and mitigating any negative adverse effects on employment and quality of work. Through the Division's services, the productive transformation will be key, integrating industrial businesses, dynamic entrepreneurship, and acceleration services, in less developed countries will have the opportunity to technologically catch up instead of falling behind industries in more advanced countries.

At the L3 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work from a seasoned analyst; (b) in creating an enabling environment for work which is solid and anchored to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to relationship management and (d) in achieving results within a professional team. The measure of success is in consistent and dependable delivery of results.

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 supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.

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

Ghana's national economy is heavily influenced by the primary sector, and the nation holds abundant resources, producing diverse food and cash crops. Among others, rice is a particularly vital crop serving as a significant source of income, especially in rural regions, and a fundamental food staple for the population. Despite the steady rise in consumption, this sector in Ghana is hindered by its high reliance on traditional operational practices and limited adoption of advanced technological instruments and methods. Consequently, Ghana depends largely on imports for its domestic consumption, impacting national security and contributing to economic strain through trade deficits. The primary challenge within the relevant value is the underdeveloped state of processing technologies and management capabilities, particularly noticeable in the post-harvest processing phase. Presently characterized by high labour demands, the overall production in Ghana suffers from low efficiency and inconsistent quality. This situation underscores an immense potential for improvement through the integration of modern technologies, including mechanization and enhanced management practices, to achieve the development of the sector. 

Against this backdrop, UNIDO, as the specialized UN agency mandated to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID), has identified that there are impending development needs to assist the country in promoting technological upgrade and overall quality assurance standards, particularly in the post-harvest value chain. Through the enhancement of the sectoral competency across the target value chain and the application of science and modern technologies in such a way that environmental sustainability is fully mainstreamed, the UNIDO project is committed to exploiting the developmental potential of Ghana's domestic value chain and assists the government in achieving their national and developmental objectives as well as promoting national food security. The overall objective of the proposed project is to contribute to the achievement of the technological upgrade and capacity development of the local value chain to promote innovation ecosystems and advance sectoral competitiveness and rapid progress. The successful implementation of the project will catalyze a technological innovation in this sector, aiming to increase efficiency, improve product quality, achieve higher value creation, and reduce import reliance. By shifting the emphasis towards technological enhancement and efficient management, the project seeks to reinforce sectoral resilience, thereby supporting national economic and food security goals.

To learn more about UNIDO, go to www.unido.org. To learn more about the project "Improving the technology and quality control system for higher value addition in the post-harvest processes of the rice value chain", visit the link to the relevant project website (https://open.unido.org/projects/GH/projects/210213). 
 

III. Responsibilities

The Industrial Development Expert works under the overall guidance and the direct supervision of the Chief of Digital Transformation and AI Strategies Division 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:

• Execute and monitor projects/ programme implementation activities and services, ensuring that assigned inputs are high quality, delivered on time and within the allocated budget.

• Coordinate the execution of the project, including as/if needed:
  • Supervising and coordinating the work of project consultants, partners and sub-contractors.
  • Preparing necessary inputs (work plans, consultant job descriptions, terms of reference, training arrangements, equipment specifications, etc.).
  • Monitoring progress and expenditures, preparing financial forecasts and budget revisions, including missions to project sites.
  • Participating in oversight meetings in the field and at headquarters and assists the Evaluation Group in its evaluations of projects/programmes.
  • Coordinate project communication and knowledge management activities.
• Manage external relations by maintaining close relationships with all stakeholders involved in the project, including government institutions and international entities, locally based donor institutions, international financial institutions and regional development banks, the private sector, civil society and academia to establish collaborations and synergies.
• Support advocacy, communication and global forum activities related to the programme/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.
• In line with the guidelines and procedures governing the technical cooperation activities of UNIDO, contribute to planning funds mobilization strategies and cooperate with other units in-house in mobilizing the funds necessary for a follow up project and programme.
• 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 (master’s or equivalent) in economics, international relations, engineering or in a closely related field with specialization in social and economic development is required.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise:

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible working experience in project execution or coordination, particularly in the areas of digital technologies, IT security, and business development in the production sectors is required.  
• Experience in developing technical cooperation projects, fundraising, and implementation in the Republic of Ghana is required.
• Experience with procedures for donor reporting of Japan-funded projects is desirable.
• Experience and knowledge in all phases of the Project Cycle and approaches to continual organizational performance improvement are required.
• Experience in evaluating needs and conditions in technical cooperation projects in West Africa is desirable. 
• Proficiency in UNIDO procedures, in particular SAP and procurement, is desirable.

Language Skills:

Fluency in written and oral English is required.  Fluency or working knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.

NOTE: UNIDO professional level applicants are required to have served at least one year in their current post 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.

UNIDO General Service applicants are required to be at least at the GS-5 level; to have served in their current position for at least two years; and to have served in UNIDO for at least five years.

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 careers site for details on how to apply: https://careers.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