This post is for local recruitment only.

VACANCY  ANNOUNCEMENT

Organizational Context

THE APPOINTMENT IS LIMITED TO THE SPECIFIED PROJECT(S) ONLY AND DOES NOT CARRY ANY EXPECTATION OF RENEWAL. UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (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 in the Agro-Industries Technology Division (PTC/AGR/AIT), which is part of the Agribusiness Development Department (PTC/AGR). The Division is responsible for technology aspects of agro-based industries in textile, leather, wood and agricultural mechanization. It also leads UNIDO’s work in bio-systems engineering with a focus on new technologies in precision systems for irrigation, production and harvesting; new systems for bio-energy production; advanced packaging systems to maximize product quality; recycling agro-products and prevention of emissions to protect the environment; and information technologies to optimize bio-process strategies. Emphasis is placed upon the design of projects and programs to serve engineering needs of the agricultural/biological industries and water resources/environmental engineering needs of various governments, industries and communities, and the support to enhance the required industrial skills for sustainable development.

COUNTRY CONTEXT Liberia’s youth constitutes nearly half of the Liberian labour force but is exposed to high unemployment, underemployment and vulnerable employment rates. The global commodity prices crisis, combined with the effects of the Ebola crisis, have devastated the Liberian economy and worsened youth’s fragility problems. A socially and economically marginalised young population can pose serious risks to national security, social cohesion and stability. Liberian youth generally lack employable skills and are ill-equipped to access new economic opportunities. Efforts to improve their employability are constrained by a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector characterised by serious shortcomings in terms of quality and relevance, access and equity, funding, and governance. The Government of Liberia (GoL) recognises that the transition towards inclusive growth will not happen unless human capabilities are enhanced and the quality of education and vocational training are improved to match the demands of the labour market. The present intervention will seek to strengthen the Liberian TVET sector in its capacity to deliver equitable and gender-balanced access to high-quality and demand-driven TVET. This will be done by supporting capacity development at central and TVET provider level, and by strengthening links with the private sector. The intervention will address equity issues with emphasis on remote South East rural areas and vulnerable youth, including people with disabilities. PROJECT CONTEXT UNIDO has received funding from the EU to implement a project to support the Government of Liberia strengthen technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in the country. To achieve this goal, the project will work closely with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) in the delivery of its key mandate, which is to provide efficient, quality and relevant education and training. The project will support six (6) schools located in the counties of – Montserado County (Monrovia), Margibi (Kakata), Grand Gedeh (Zwedru), Sinoe (Greenville) and Maryland (Harper). The project will support the development of TVET systems as follows:  Curriculum Development  Human Resource Development for Instructors  Institutional management  Pedagogical skills development  Education Infrastructure and technology for TVET  Private-public partnerships  TVET approaches for apprenticeships  TVET financing  TVET access to rural areas (i.e. South East Liberia)  Entrepreneurship development At the G5 level the incumbent is expected to perform independent and specialized processes focusing on consistent service delivery and support services within the organizational environment and team. His/Her interventions result in process consistency. 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.

Main Functions

Under the supervision of the First Reporting Officer, the Project / Office Assistant provides support in the development and administration of technical cooperation programmes and projects as well as clerical and administrative support and is responsible for the following key functions: - Screen incoming mail and draft reply for supervisor’s signature on non-technical aspects; provide relevant background/project information whenever necessary to supervisor(s); keeps track of pending matters, follow up with other offices on deadlines. - Screen phone calls and visitors. Respond to complex information requests and inquiries as necessary, as well as to refer queries to appropriate personnel for handling. - Draft routine and non-routine correspondence (both on administrative and/or TC-related matters); and put them into adequate style, language and format; proofread documents and edit texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style in accordance with standard practices and in compliance with the UNIDO Correspondence Manual. - Assist in the preparation of papers and presentations by extracting/summarizing statistics; undertake computer based searches, compile background information to assist in project identification and formulation. - Initiate exercises related to the implementation of [specialization] and/or TC projects (e.g.: budget revisions, obligation reviews, re- phasing, extension or completion of projects, issuance of new project allotment documents/due sub-allotments, TC allocations and monitoring related exercises, or other administrative functions as per the specific specialization of the job family). Interpret or consult to clarify the application of new financial procedures and rules, UNIDO Administrative Instructions, policies and Regulations and Rules, TC guidelines and other instructions. Keep track of project budget expenditures; recommend and initiate budget revisions; complete justification for budget revisions; provide information and draw the supervisor’s attention to problems encountered. Retrieve substantive information on administrative matters and/or TC projects from the SAP modules which have been designed to support results-based management. - Using SAP, initiate and follow up on actions related to recruitment of staff, experts, training and study tours, purchase of equipment, payments, travel authorizations requests/claims and deal with all related inquiries. - Perform all administrative tasks such as arrangements for meetings and other events, reservations, budget follow-up, research for information and reference material. Prepare requests/documents, e.g. requisitions, purchase orders, travel requests/authorizations, expenditure authorizations, visa applications, etc. - Maintain an up-to-date filing system (both paper and electronic) and databases related to work. - Carry out ad-hoc assignments and research activities, as required. - Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Core 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.

Minimum Requirements

Education

Completed higher secondary education. High school diploma or equivalent is required. Certification in CIPS Level-3 and online marketing an added advantage. Formal secretarial/clerical training or equivalent is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of another official UN language desirable.

Computer Skills

Field of Expertise

A minimum of eight years of working experience in the related fields of the post. Thorough understanding of office procedures and practices, preferably within the UN system or in a multicultural environment. Experience in project administration and providing support to managerial/professional staff and using administrative skills to assist in the execution of project development and implementation of work. Proficient use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint), internet. Experience with SAP or similar ERP software is an asset. Credit towards total working experience may be considered on a year-by-year basis, up to maximum of four years, for a first university degree or equivalent diploma, in a field relevant to the post. NOTE: Eligible internal UNIDO applicants are required to have served at least one year in his or her current post. However, the seniority-in-grade requirements for applying for higher level positions, as per paragraphs 18 and 78 of the HRMF, have been waived. In the cases of internal applicants, comparable qualifications and experience in UNIDO may be considered to take into account the potential of candidates.

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