The Directorate of Global Partnerships and External Relations (GLO), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for UNIDO's relations with Member States and all external partners, including through the Policymaking Organs. It plays a central role for interaction and collaboration with traditional and non-traditional donors; oversees the regional bureaus as well as the network of established field offices, liaison offices and Investment and Technology Promotion Offices; and supports the implementation of particularly complex projects, programmes and special assignments, thus also fulfilling an important role in safeguarding their quality and the reputation of the Organization.

The Division of ITPOs and Institutional Partnerships (GLO/ITP) will link UNIDO's Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) with international corporate partners and use the ITP network to forge, in collaboration with IET/PPP and GLO/FLS, partnerships with development partners. It will engage in match-making and partnership development at corporate, institutional, and political levels to support developing countries and countries with economies in transition in becoming attractive investment locations, resulting in increased levels of investments and, through investors and partners that the ITPOs bring to the table, engage in technology exchange partnerships that enable them to adopt new technologies for sustainable industrial development.

PROJECT CONTEXT – PROJECT ID 240212

ITPO Beijing is part of the UNIDO ITP Network. ITPO Beijing was first established in January 1996 under an agreement between the People’s Republic of China and UNIDO, and its mission is to promote both inward and outward investment and technology transfer.

The main purpose of this project is to contribute to inclusive and sustainable industrial development and economic growth in countries with developing or transitional economies by identifying and mobilizing investment, technology, and financial resources from China. To achieve this objective, ITPO Beijing will provide value-added advisory services to institutions, including business development organizations, small and medium enterprise (SME) associations, local governments, academia, development agencies, and investment promotion agencies (IPAs) to mobilize technology, investment, knowledge, and technical skills for the implementation of sustainable, inclusive and innovative projects in developing countries.

The project addresses issues related to SDG 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all), SDG 9 (Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation), SDG 17 (Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development) and falls in line with UNIDO’s vision of “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development -ISID”.

ITPO Beijing’s mandate is to promote mutually beneficial industrial cooperation and business development in areas of environment and smart energy, hydrogen and other environmentally friendly new energy of China as well as developing countries and countries with economies in transition through investment promotion and technology transfer.

The ultimate beneficiaries of the project are public and private institutions, enterprises, business associations, and investment promotion agencies in developing countries and countries with economies in transition, as the project will support their efforts in attracting investment and technology flows for the natural environment and climate to promote sustainable, achieving green growth.

The project will also benefit the private sectors of China as well as Chinese companies already operating in the target developing countries, which will be provided with opportunities to enter new markets and to expand their business, respectively.

The UNIDO Fourth Industrial Revolution Accelerator (Hangzhou) of UNIDO ITPO Beijing, China, was officially established on April 18, 2024. The accelerator is dedicated to discovering, identifying, and evaluating Advanced Digital Production technologies and green transformation solutions, to establish an innovative pilot programme under the "SCALE-UP" framework, an ecosystem designed to Strengthen Capacity, Accelerate and Lead the Ecosystem for Upward Investment.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision of the Director, Division of Investment and Technology Promotion Offices and Institutional Partnerships, and under the direct supervision of the Head of the UNIDO ITPO in Beijing, China, the Investment and Technology Promotion Office Project Associate shall be responsible for the following duties/assignments as below:

MAIN DUTIES

• Provide support in the daily administrative tasks of ACC Assist in preparing routine communications and information exchanges with local partners, Donors, as well as the organization, management and decision-making of internal office administrative work, projects, activities and other related tasks.

• Support the organization of office administrative tasks and project activities, following established instructions and procedures.

• Provide support in identification of appropriate industrial technologies and partnership possibilities in developing countries. Prepare background notes and share information with partners the potential Chinese partners as requested by the supervisor.. Assist in gathering examples of business models relevant to SDG and ESG objectives.

• Provide administrative and logistical support to activities related to the technology and investment promotion platform to promote sustainable, inclusive and resilient value chains, achieving green growth in the manufacturing and related productive sectors. Assist in compiling information and documentation needed for investment project preparation.promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development. 

• Support communication and coordination efforts with 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 as directed.

• In coordination with the Head, assist in the activities organized by ITPO Beijing, including the submission of the annual work programme, the annual report and other reports and information as required.

• Provide support and contribute to the strategic thinking on the vision of the UNIDO ITP Network, through participation in ITPO Heads’ meetings, workshops and events.

• Assist in entering data and maintaining project information in system‑wide project management tools helping with effective use of system-wide project management tools, including IT based systems, Support the preparation of basic monitoring information and documentation for monitoring & evaluation purposes to maintain required standards of accountability and transparency in accordance with UNIDO’s rules and regulations and UNIDO’s  Integrated Results and Programme framework (IRPF).

• Liaise and cooperate with the ITP Network Secretariat to ensure a constant flow of information on activities and results for reporting and communication purposes; in particular, providing ACC’s timely inputs for preparation of advocacy including the preparation of materials and tools (brochures, reports, websites) by the ITP Network Secretariat, organization of media events, dissemination of information on the project activities through UNIDO/project website and network of UNIDO offices.

• Provide administrative and logistical support in the execution and monitoring of projects/programme activities and services and events, ensuring that expected outcomes are achieved, delivered on time and within the allocated budget. Assist in organizing events and preparing materials to present technologies. Coordinate the planning and preparations for the activities to present and showcase advanced technologies, expanding the impact on UNIDO ITP Network.

• In line with the guidelines and procedures governing the technical cooperation activities of UNIDO, assist in compiling background information for resource mobilization and cooperate with other units in-house in mobilizing the funds necessary for a follow-up project and programme.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in the major of management, international relations, international social development or other relevant field to UNIDO’s mandate is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• A minimum of one (1) year of relevant professional experience is required.
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment is required.
• Working experience in UN agencies (preferably in areas of environment, green economy, technology, investment), coordinating multi-partner projects in areas of sustainable and inclusive trade, responsible investment, technology transfer and innovation, renewable energy and energy efficiency and SDGs is an asset.
• Working experience with the Chinese central or local government in the areas of trade, investment, technology, industrialization and engaging with local provinces and cities, the private sector, industry associations, and investment promotion agencies in China is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience in gender related work and managing South-South, triangular cooperation trade and investment policy, low-carbon development and climate policy is highly desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English and Chinese is required. Working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.