Female candidates from all Member States are particularly encouraged to apply.

VACANCY  ANNOUNCEMENT TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL

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, 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 in the next fifteen years. 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 position is located under the Rural Entrepreneurship, Job Creation and Human Security division (PTC/AGR/RJH) an integral part of the Department of Agri-Business Development (PTC/AGR). The Department provides a range of technical cooperation services to assist developing countries add value to the output of their agricultural sector and generate employment opportunities in off-farm activities for rural communities, thereby contributing to increased food security and a sustainable reduction of poverty. The conceptual framework is that of agribusiness value chains: comprehensive analyses offer a rigorous base for the deployment of specialized services targeting the weaker links of the chain: agricultural mechanization, modern processing technologies, packaging of perishable products, the promotion of food safety in the processing and regulatory environment; and interventions to improve competitiveness and productivity.

PROJECT CONTEXT: ISID and PCP-Ethiopia UNIDO has reaffirmed that sustainable development is closely connected to global systemic changes and multiple actors are needed to facilitate a transformation to sustainable societies. Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development (ISID) calls for larger resources than a development organization can individually provide. UNIDO’s new Partnership approach is a holistic process requiring consensus and resources from among local and global actors at business, governments, financial, research and academic institutions, multi- and bilateral aid organizations, NGOs, and citizens. This process calls first for a close and crucial co-operation with governments to create an ownership framework. Governments need to establish an in-country platform for cooperation and provide a strategy with respect to the country’s priorities and needs as expressed by its government and private sector. Additionally, governments need to create conducive frameworks required to attract the interest of private sector, through profitability and impact of development initiatives. This partnership framework approach is developed in close cooperation with both multilateral and bilateral Development Financial Institutions (DFI). The Partnerships approach aims to increase resource mobilization by strengthening cooperation between governments and the development financial sector to create workable frameworks that will reduce the risk or lower the cost of capital for investors in financing sustainable development. It is carried out on the basis of mutual interest, with DFIs benefiting from UNIDO technical competence in screening of their project portfolios and assessing the interventions required to address common ISID challenges. At the same time, UNIDO technical cooperation resources are strategically invested, so as to leverage parallel flows of financial resources and to trigger ISID impact. This innovative Partnership approach is being piloted initially in Ethiopia, Senegal and Peru. The Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) model will lead to forging ISID impact investment opportunities to leverage resources for technical cooperation available by traditional donors. Productive work youth & women The project’s main goal is to assist the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) in its effort to create and increase employment opportunities for women and youth through the promotion entrepreneurship and in particular of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the productive sectors of the economy (namely the Agro-industry, Leather and Textile and Garment sectors) by directly addressing the issues of unemployed youth and support progresses to accelerate women’s economic empowerment as dictated by the Second Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II). In line with this and the PCP, UNIDO technical assistance was requested to build the capacity of local financial and non-financial institutions to increase their outreach of women and youth entrepreneurs at national level, and provide them with a package of non-financial services as well as new financial tools, to boost employment and domestic growth through enterprises creation and development. The project is therefore primarily intended to contribute to institutional capacity building and to create job opportunities for youth and women in the manufacturing sector to strengthen their economic empowerment by facilitating access to entrepreneurship training schemes, as well as facilitating access to the financial schemes through partnering with financial institutions. The project’s approach is twofold: 1) Facilitate policy dialogue for entrepreneurship development in Ethiopia, with special regard to youth and women-led SMEs; 2) Strengthen institutional capacities in the area of enterprise creation and development, investment promotion and access to finance with special regard to youth and women-led SMEs. The outreach of the final beneficiaries will be achieved by training financial and nonfinancial service providers at the meso-level to provide quality services for youth and women entrepreneurs. The long-term project objective is to bring more women and youth to contribute, as entrepreneurs, to the sustainable industrial development of Ethiopia. UNIDO intervention, will also favor the creation of an enabling environment to strengthen the policy dialogue, particularly to address the formulation for proper entrepreneurship policies supporting women and youth. In this context, the project will strengthen its linkages with UNDP and other relevant actors to promote the amelioration of the business environment in Ethiopia. In fact, it is expected that the capacity as well as the awareness created at the national level through the development interventions will therefore have an influence in policy formulation processes that are taking place at macro level. Given the above, the Phase II of the Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Promotion (YoWEP) project seeks to continue and expand on the efforts initiated under the former project. It will support the implementation of the National Entrepreneurship Strategy, (1) by establishing a dedicated coordination mechanism to oversee the effective implementation and the coordination of efforts on the ground, and (2) through the delivery and coordination of technical assistance tailored to the five pillars of the NES and in line with the recommendations therein. Proposed activities aim to complement ongoing efforts where needed, and address gaps in the ecosystem, building on UNIDO’s long-standing expertise in creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship led by youth and women. Particular focus will be placed on promoting impact-driven enterprises with a clear social or environmental focus, as these have been proven to be critical in addressing pressing economic, social and environmental challenges. Duty station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia EOD: as soon as possible; COB 31 September 2019

Main Functions

Under the supervision of the Project Manager (PM), and in strict collaboration with the project team, the candidate will support the correct implementation and monitoring of the project including the provision of recommendations to address identified problems and for corrective actions. As focal point for the project, the candidate will liaise with the relevant stakeholders, and engage these in a meaningful and cooperative manner, to ensure effective and timely implementation. Main duties include: With the support of the national consultants, lead the conduction of a mapping of major entrepreneurship related initiatives ongoing/planned in Ethiopia. In collaboration with the national consultants, UNCTAD and Partners, work on the engagement of other international organizations for the finalization of the National Engagement Strategy (NES) (?), and their engagement in the validation workshop. Lead the development of a detailed action plan in collaboration with Partners (UNCTAD) for the implementation of the NES and stakeholder’s engagement, in particular international partners (e.g. UNDP, World Bank, Global Affairs Canada, etc.) Act as a focal point and take part in key working groups and technical meetings for the finalization of the NES action plan, jointly with International partners and stakeholders. In particular, partake in donors meeting and consultations to maximize engagement and participation in the development of the NES action plan. In coordination with the PM, and with the support of national consultants, lead the set-up of a coordination mechanism to harmonize entrepreneurial initiatives in Ethiopia and support the development and implementation of the NES action plan. Jointly with the National consultants, prepare a presentation of the project, progress reports, and other document as required by the PM. In coordination with the PM, entertain regular relationship with donors (Global Affairs Canada) to present on-going activities and results, while advocating for the expansion of the project. In coordination with the PM, supervise the set-up of on-line and off-line coordination mechanisms and platform by the sub-contractor. Provide technical support in the preparation of a short concept note based on the NES and its action plan to be submitted to interested donors (particularly the Government of Canada)

Core Competencies

INTEGRITY: To work honestly, openly, impartially and in accordance with the values of the United Nations. PROFESSIONALISM: To work in a competent, committed and calm manner. RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY: To work effectively, respectfully and inclusively with people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives. RESULTS ORIENTATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY: To be accountable and responsible for achieving results and meeting performance standards. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: To plan, organize and manage work effectively and efficiently. COMMUNICATION AND TRUST: To communicate effectively and build trust. TEAM ORIENTATION: To cooperate at various levels. CLIENT ORIENTATION: To be responsive towards those to whom services are provided internally and externally. ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION: To realize continuous improvement, support innovation, share knowledge and skills and learn from others.

Minimum Requirements

Education

An advanced university degree in economics, business administration or any other relevant discipline.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency in another official UN language is desirable.

Computer Skills

Field of Expertise

A minimum of five (5) years working experience in the areas of Project management and business development. At least four (4) years of experience in the field of private sector development and micro, small and medium enterprises are desired. Good knowledge of private sector development issues in Ethiopia and/or the region.

<strong>This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal. </strong>