National Procurement & Finance Expert

The Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET), headed by a Managing Director, is responsible for the development of innovative UNIDO services in the areas of agro-industry and agribusiness, sustainability standards and fair production, and climate relevant or climate-improving technologies. It is also, in collaboration with ODG, responsible for developing innovative cooperation concepts, identifying new sources and means of innovative finance and entering into new partnerships with a broad range of relevant stakeholders.

The Directorate is responsible for the Divisions of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR), Fair Production, Sustainability Standards and Trade (IET/PST), Climate and Technology Partnerships (IET/CTP), Innovative Finance and International Financial Institutions (IET/IFI), and Public-Private Partnerships (IET/PPP). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, IET collaborates closely with TCS to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

The Division of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (IET/AGR) supports Member States in their efforts to pave the way to sustainable rural development and a structurally transformed and modernized agribusiness sector. Capitalizing on the experience gained by UNIDO in this field over decades and on tried-and-tested and to-be-developed service modules, the Division will explore innovative approaches to maximize the potential that exists in agribusiness development, addressing emerging global trends, in particular food security, poverty alleviation and climate change. It will explore new ways to contribute to global efforts to reduce hunger, accelerate food systems transformation, and generate income and employment, especially among women and youth. The Division provides TC services to assist the modernization of agriculture and agro-industry, especially in less-developed countries, ensuring that enterprises add value to primary agricultural production, substitute the imports of food and other value-added agricultural products, and participate effectively in local, regional and global value chains. Where needed, it will develop infrastructure and agro-industrial parks and capacities for agro-industrialization, value addition, quality assurance and food safety. It will also bring innovative approaches to Member States to fully benefit from carbon-neutral and biodiversity-enhancing agricultural and agro-industrial production and development opportunities in the green and blue bioeconomy.

The Food Security and Food Systems Unit (IET/AGR/FSS) promotes the development of food industries and food value chains and the production of local food products in less-developed countries to end hunger and ensure food and nutrition security while generating income and employment adhering to principles of sustainable industrial development. It provides a range of technical assistance services that allow food enterprises – including in the informal sector and especially SMEs – to extend their production, improve their products, comply with quality and other standards, become more competitive and deliver adequate and nutritious food to local populations and for export. Where opportune, it also promotes the development of food safety compliance infrastructure and building related food safety systems capacities.

The position is under the Food Security and Food Systems Unit (IET/AGR/FSS) under the Division of Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development (AGR) of the Directorate of SDG Innovation and Economic Transformation (IET) and located in Cambodia.

At the NOB level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work that is analytical in contributing to results achieved by the Division; (b) in creating an enabling environment for collaborative work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to counterparts’ engagement and (d) in achieving results that provide baselines for a service. The measure of success is timely, consistent and appropriate 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.

1. Project Context

The project is based at the National Agricultural Laboratory at Setbo (NALS), under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in Cambodia. NALS, a Public Administrative Institution (PAI), provides integrated and comprehensive microbiological and chemical testing services focused on plant and animal health as well as food safety. Operating within the Cambodian Agricultural Sciences Academy (CASA) framework, NALS serves as the primary government counterpart for this project.

The “European Union-Cambodia Partnership for National Agriculture Laboratory” (EU Cambodia-NALS) project, funded by the European Union (EU), aims to enhance agricultural food safety in Cambodia. This effort contributes to building resilient food systems and promoting sustainable agricultural development, aligned with the broader objectives of the CAPSAFE project. CAPSAFE targets the sustainability, competitiveness, and inclusiveness of the cashew nut and pepper value chains, with a particular focus on empowering smallholder farmers, agricultural cooperatives, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by fostering innovative growth opportunities.

The EU Cambodia-NALS project supports NALS in obtaining accreditation for selected priority laboratory tests and assists MAFF in coordinating the development and operationalization of NALS. These efforts are critical drivers of trade development and economic growth in Cambodia.

The project’s specific objective is to operationalize NALS and achieve ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for selected priority tests. UNIDO is responsible for implementing this project, delivering two key outputs: (i) achieving readiness for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for the selected tests; and (ii) providing technical support for the coordinated development and operationalization of NALS.

The expected outcome is the successful operationalization of NALS under MAFF’s leadership and the achievement of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for priority tests. This achievement will enable Cambodia to meet international quality standards, improve regulatory compliance, facilitate access to regional and global markets, boost export competitiveness, and ultimately support sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems nationwide.

At the impact level, the project seeks to strengthen Cambodia’s laboratory capacity for agricultural food safety by supporting the accreditation and full operationalization of NALS. Enhancing the country’s testing capabilities will improve food safety governance, increase public trust in food systems, advance public health outcomes, promote sustainable agriculture, and ensure greater compliance with international export standards.

1. Main Responsibilities

The National Procurement and Finance Expert will work under the overall guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor in close collaboration with the Project Manager, based at Headquarters in Vienna, to provide a range of technical support to implement the EU Cambodia-NALS project.

The National Procurement and Finance Expert is responsible for providing advisory support to NALS management on national procurement of equipment, tender evaluation, import and customs clearance procedures managed by NALS, ensuring compliance with organizational and donor rules. The incumbent, together with the project implementation unit, will be based at the MAFF in Cambodia.

The National Procurement & Finance Expert is specifically expected to perform the following:

1. Provide technical support in consultation with CASA/MAFF and relevant stakeholders on national procurement of equipment, including, draft technical specifications, identify potential suppliers, tender evaluation, contract management, import and customs clearance procedures managed by NALS, ensuring compliance with organizational and donor rules.
2. Prepare a variety of procurement related reports, presentations, and statistical information as needed supporting management oversight and service delivery monitoring.
3. Provide procedural guidance to potential bidders, project clients and other stakeholders of the project on matters related to rules and regulations of UNIDO’s procurement and grants management, whenever such needs arise;

1. Perform financial management and oversight services for the project, such as monitoring project expenditures against approved budgets, managing disbursement to vendors, keeping track of pending financial matters, and ensuring appropriate conformity to the financial process workflow of UNIDO.
2. Review and monitor financial disbursements, commitments, and budget allocations; keep track of expenditures; and provide information and clarification for any issues encountered, along with proposed solutions.
3. Interpret and stay updated with UNIDO’s New Procurement & Financial Rules and Regulations, EU eligibility criteria, and other related policies and instructions and inform the project team members appropriately.
4. Monitor the project assets compliance with the UNIDO Asset Management manual. 

1. Generate the financial report summary for the annual project narrative report in accordance with donor and UNIDO requirements.
2. Maintain an up-to-date filing system (both paper and electronic) and databases related to procurement and financial transactions for audit purposes. 
3. Perform other related duties and assignments assigned by the Project Manager.

1. 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.

1. Minimum requirements and desirable criteria

Education:

• A first level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in finance, accounting, commerce or business administration or other related discipline is required.
• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) or a Doctorate in the same fields are accepted with a reduced requirement for years of professional experience.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise:

A minimum of professional experience aligned with the educational level is required, as follows:

• First‑level university degree (Bachelor’s): at least 6 years of relevant professional experience
• Advanced university degree (Master’s): at least 3 years of relevant professional experience
• Doctorate: at least 1 year of relevant professional experience

• Experience in procurement and financing services in the execution of project and programme development is required.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and internet tools is required. 
• Knowledge of financial and procurement procedures, as well as experience working on donor-funded projects within the United Nations (UN) system is critical. 
• Experience with SAP or comparable ERP software is required. 

Language Skills: Fluency in written and spoken English and Khmer is required.